By the time of Lucian, popular religion had ceased to hold much influence over the hearts of the cultured classes. Philosophy was the new God, but there were efforts in some circles to divert men's minds from the philosophical sects and restore a sort of unorthodox faith in the old religion. Against this artificial revival of mythological faith, Lucian pitted the influence of his tremendous satirical powers. In the "Dialogues of the Gods," he pulls the curtain aside-exposing the Gods as they engage in private disputes, domestic brawls, and love affairs, with their jealousies and scandals,...