Mythology may therefore be regarded as the depository of the early religion of the people. […] The study and adoption of it can hardly fail to injure the intellectual powers, and to produce an indifference toward true religion. […] Italy has left no mythology, properly speaking, though for the sake of uniformity we so denominate the account of its deities and religion given in the present work. […] Finally, the Fathers of the Church employed it to advantage in their conflicts withe the supporters of the ancient religion. […] The Fathers of the Church laid hold on the weapons thus presented to them, to defend the new and attack the old religion.