Apologies & Dialogue 1-55

But nowhere, in the case of any of the so-called sons of Zeus, did they imitate the crucifixion; for it was not understood by them, since, as has been shown beforehand, all the things said with reference to this were spoken symbolically. Yet this, as the prophet foretold, is the greatest symbol of his strength and rule, as is shown also from the things that fall under our sight. For consider all the things in the world, whether without this figure they can be administered or have fellowship. For the sea is not crossed unless that trophy which is called a sail remains safe in the ship; and the earth is not plowed without it; diggers do not do their work, nor laborers likewise, except by means of tools that have this figure. And the human figure differs from that of the irrational animals in nothing except in being upright and having the hands extended, and in bearing on the face, stretched down from the forehead, what is called the nostril, through which the breath of the living creature passes — and this shows nothing other than the figure of the cross. And so it was said by the prophet: "The breath before our face is the Lord Christ." And your own symbols too display the power of this figure — I mean the standards and trophies, by means of which your processions everywhere are conducted, displaying in these the signs of your dominion and power, even if you do not understand that you do this. And the images of your emperors who die you set up upon this figure, and you name them gods by inscriptions. So that, having exhorted you as far as we could, both by argument and by the visible figure, we know that we are henceforth blameless, even if you disbelieve; for our part has been done and finished.