46 armin d. baum
Ovid, Metamorphoses 15.871–880
the fact that most greek and roman authors, including the historians,
published their works under their own names was probably due to their
distinctive longing for fame. every greek or roman writer wanted to
receive recognition for his literary accomplishments. thus, the poet ovid
(43 bce–17 ce) expresses his conviction at the end of his Metamorphoses
that this work was destined to become his own everlasting monument.63
I shall be borne immortal far beyond the lofty stars and I shall have an
undying name. Wherever rome’s power extends over the conquered world,
I shall have mention on men’s lips, and, if the prophecies of bards have any
truth, through all the ages shall I live in fame.
[Pseudo-Paul] 3 Corinthians 1–4
on the one hand, an unknown author was not averse to fabricating Paul’s
third epistle to the Corinthians and of publishing it under Paul’s name.
on the other hand, the same author condemned his theological oppo-
nents for falsifying the words of Jesus. the author of 3 Corinthians appears
to have condoned the forging of orthodox texts and at the same time to
have dismissed the forging of unorthodox texts.64
1 Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, to the brethren in Corinth—greeting!
2 since I am in many tribulations, I do not wonder that the teachings of
the evil one are so quickly gaining ground. 3 for (my) lord Jesus Christ will
quickly come, since he is rejected by those who falsify his words. 4 for I
deliver to you in the beginning what I received from the apostles who were
before me, who at all times were together with the lord Jesus Christ...
Pausanias, graeciae descriptio 6.18.5
In his Description of Greece, the greek traveller and geographer Pausanias
(second century ce) related that in the fourth century bce the rhetorician
and historian anaximenes of lampsacus forged a book under the name
of his colleague and personal enemy theopompus of Chios in order to
discredit him.65
anaximenes is also known to have retaliated on a personal enemy in a very
clever but ill-natured way. he had a natural aptitude for rhetoric and for
63 trans. by f. J. Miller, lCl 43:427.
64 trans. in New Testament Apocrypha (ed. Wilson), 2:255.
65 trans. by W. h. s. Jones, lCl 272:109.
