The Theology of Plato, in six books — trans. Thomas Taylor

The first king, therefore, in intellectuals, is both an intellectual father, and a paternal intellect. lie is, however, the intellectual father indeed of the Gods that proceed from himself; but he is the paternal intellect of the intelligibles prior to himself. For he is indeed intellectual essentially ; but he has an intelligible transcendency in intellectuals ; because he is also established analogous to the unknown order of the intelligible, and at the same time, intellectual Gods, and to the occult order of the intelligible triads. And as they are expanded above the triadic hypostases of the Gods posterior to themselves, thus also the father of intellectuals, is a father expanded above the whole intellectual hebdomad, in consequence of being a paternal intellect. And analogously to the above-mentioned orders of Gods, he establishes himself in them, and is filled from them with paternal and intelligible union. On this account also, he is occult, shuts in himself the prolific powers of himself, and producing from himself total causes, he again establishes them in, and converts them to himself.

' For w ovnp, it is necessary to read n tam*.

CHAP. XXXVII

OF PLATO.

p. 415

These things, therefore, Parmcnides also indicating, magnificently celebrates this order by these twofold signs, and characterizes the first king and father of the intellectual 1 Gods through these peculiarities. For he is in himself, and in another. For so far indeed as he is a total intellect, his energy is directed to himself, but so far as he is in the intelligibles prior to himself, he establishes in another the all-perfect intelligence of himself. For, indeed, this subsistence in another, is more excellent than the subsistence of a thing in itself ; since, as Parmenides himself concludes, the subsistence of Saturn in another, pertains to him according to whole, but the subsistence of him in himself, according to parts. Where, therefore, does the another pre-exist? And to what order of the Gods prior to Saturn does it belong? Or is not this also divinely unfolded by our preceptor? For he says that this another, remarkably pertains to that order, according to which the power of difference first shines forth, being the progeny of intelligible and paternal power. Hence in the first triad the another was occultly, so far as power also had there an occult subsistence ; but it particularly shines forth in the first order of the intelligible, and at the same time, intellectual Gods.

geny of intelligible and paternal power. Hence in the first triad the another was occultly, so far as power also had there an occult subsistence ; but it particularly shines forth in the first order of the intelligible, and at the same time, intellectual Gods. For there the first difference, the feminine nature of the Gods, and the paternal and unvocal power subsist.

[Saturn therefore] who is the first of the intellectual fathers being intelligible, so far as he is a whole, establishes himself in the intelligible triads prior to himself, from which also he is filled with united and occult goods. And on this account he is said to be in another. With respect to those triads indeed, the another is occultly and according to cause in the intelligible [i. e. in the first triad] of intelligibles ; but according to essence in the intelligible of the intelligible, and at the same time, intellectual Gods. All intelligibles therefore are united ; the intelligible indeed of the intelligible and intellectual Gods being united to the intelligible of the intelligibles prior* to intellectuals; but the intelligible of intellectuals, to both. And the subsistence indeed in another, adheres

* For voir*,, it U olmotwly neceiwry to read >«pw>.

* For rpmrm, it U neceswry to read *?o row.

p. 416

ROOK V.

to the difference which is according to uuical number. But unical number is suspended from the occult union of the one being; on which account also it is unical.

Farther still, we also say, that there is a twofold conversion in those orders, the one indeed being towards themselves, but the other towards the causes of them, (for it neither was nor will be lawful for divine natures, to convert themselves in any respect to natures posterior to themselves). And the intelligible Gods generate all things stably ; but the intelligible and intellectual Gods who illuminate imparticipable life, impart the original cause of progression to all things; and the intellectual Gods arrange and adorn wholes according to conversion. Hence, it is indeed necessary that the summit of iutellectuals which pours forth from itself the whole and all-perfect form of conversion, should be characterized by both the couvertive symbols, and should be at one and the same time converted to itself, and to the natures prior to itself. Hence, because indeed, it is converted to itself, it is in itself; but because it is converted to the intelligible orders beyond itself, it is in another. For the another is more excellent than the whole intellectual order.

and to the natures prior to itself. Hence, because indeed, it is converted to itself, it is in itself; but because it is converted to the intelligible orders beyond itself, it is in another. For the another is more excellent than the whole intellectual order. As, therefore, the summit of intelligiblcs primarily subsists according to the intelligible peculiarity itself, and is firmly established above wholes; and as the summit of intelligiblcs and intellectuals primarily unfolds the peculiarity of this order, subsisting according to divine diversity, and being to all things the cause of all-various progressions ;— thus also the intelligible deity of intellectuals, exhibits from himself according to union the twofold forms of conversion, being indeed in another according to the more excellent form of conversion, but in himself according to the less excellent form. For to be converted to himself is inferior to the conversion to more excellent natures.

Again, therefore, the subsistence in another, is the illustrious prerogative of the intelligible aud paternal peculiarity. For the another is intelligible, and difference was the power proceeding from the intelligible fathers, and from the natures firmly established in them. Hence, that which is comprehended in this power, and is fdled from it, is paternal and intelligible. But the subsistence of a thing in itself is the proper

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CHAP. XXXVII. OF PLATO. 417

sign of the unpolluted monad. For as we have before observed, the summits of the two intellectual triads are conjoined. And the monad .of the guardian triad has eternally established itself iu the paternal •monad, and again establishes in, and converts to itself the natures which ;have proceeded from itself. And the first intellectual father is indeed father on account of himself, but on account of the unpolluted [monad,] ihe comprehends in himself the genera of himself, stably recalls them j[when they have proceeded from him] to himself, and in his own allness ' contains the intelligible multitudes of intellectuals in onprorceeding* union with their monad.

The first leader, therefore, of the guardian order subsists in conjunction with the father. And the father indeed comprehends the unpolluted cause, but is comprehended by the first intelligibles. And as he is intelligibly established in them, so likewise he has established in himself, and constituted about himself, the one summit of the inflexible Gods. Id the Parmenides, therefore, also the same God appears to us to be a pure intellect.