Sophia’s Visions, Part 22. 391 CE: Theodosius’s laws, the riot in Alexandria, and the destruction of the temple of Serapis and its library. A C2 English lesson on alternatives to if, with a gamebook.
Alexandria · the 754th year since the founding of Rome · 1 CE
Sophia’s Visions, Part 22 · Alternatives to if: unless, provided that, but for, were it not for, otherwise · C2
Think first. If you were once treated unjustly, and then gained power, would you be more merciful to others, or less? Why?
While you read, notice the different ways of saying if: unless…, provided that…, but for…, were it not for…
Philo: “We went back to the Serapeum one evening, to see the god by lamplight. Demetria asked her question again. This time Sophia answered.”
The great hall was almost dark. Only the lamps at the feet of Serapis were burning, and the god rose up out of the shadows: enormous, calm, bearded, the basket of grain on his head almost touching the roof. Worshippers moved quietly around him, leaving bread and flowers.
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