The Commentaries on the Timaeus of Plato — trans. Thomas Taylor

If therefore, earth is more solid than the other elements, but that which is most solid is the cause of things which are less solid being solid, and things which are less such are not the causes of: sulidity to those which especially and particularly have this power; —if this be

* Ynstead of πη in this place, it is necessary to read yn.

* Lor Taxyvrarny here, itis necessary to read wayyraryy,

BOOK 111.} TIMZUS OF PTATO. 395

the case, it is necessary that earth should be the cause of solidity to the other elements, having itself a subsistence contrary to fire. And if indeed, we assume things which are apparent to our senses, viz. heaven as fiery, and the earth on which we walk, as especially earth, the contrariety of these will be manifest, the former being always in motion, but the latter being immoveable; the former being transcendently visible, but the latter tangible: and the one being most attenuated through light, but the other most gross through darkness. But if we wish to survey the first elements of these, viz. fire itself so far as fire, and earth itself, so far as earth, we shall shortly after unfold all the oppositions of these, when we discuss the analogy of the four elements. “That visibility therefore, is the peculiarity of fire, and tangibility of earth, we may from these things assume to be most true, lence Porphyry says, that of demons some, being visible, have in their composition more of a fiery, in consequence of not having any thing of a resisting nature. But others, participating also of earth, are capable of being touched. Ile adds, that such as these appearing near Tialy about the Tuscans, not only emit seed from which worms are generated, but also strike against other things, and Jeave behind them ashes ; from which likewise he shows that all things participate of earth. There is not, however, the same nature of earth every where, and in all parts of the world, but in some places it is more pure and immaterial, and without gravity. Lor not gravity, but tangibility, is the peculiarity of earth. But in other places, itis more material, and heavy, and is moved with difficulty. In some placcs likewise, it exhibits solidity alone; but in others, it receives other genesiurgic and material powers, after the same manner as fire.

Lor not gravity, but tangibility, is the peculiarity of earth. But in other places, itis more material, and heavy, and is moved with difficulty. In some placcs likewise, it exhibits solidity alone; but in others, it receives other genesiurgic and material powers, after the same manner as fire.

If however, these things being asserted by us, Aristotle should doubt, how if fire isin the heavens it is moved circularly, and not in a right le, we must adduce in answer to him, what Plotinus says, that every simple body, when in tts proper place, either remains immoveable, or is moved ina circle, in order that it may hy xo means relinquish its proper place. For if itis moved in a different: manner, it will cither no fonver be inits own place, or will not yet be init. A celestial body therefore, being fiery, is necessarily moved in a circle. For earth also, if it were moved without leaving the place about the middle, would be moved in a circle. For when fire is moved to the upper region it is so moved in consequence of being ina foreign place. For the same reason likewise, a clod of earth is moved downward ; and in short, the local motions of the elements in ἃ right line, ure occa-

* Instead of wa μη Se ws in this place, [ read wa μηδαμωε,p. 396 sioned by their being preternaturally disposed ; so that it is false to say that fire is naturally moved in a right line. For it then especially subsists according to nature when it possesses its proper place. — But when it tends to its proper plaice, it is not yet in a Condition conformable to nature. This however being demonstrated, itis evident that the celestial fire when it is moved, is moved ina circle ; and nothing that has been said disturbs the Phatoute assertion. For if fire is moved in aright line,’ it is not yet in its natural place. Butaf itis in its nataral place, it will cither be immoveable, or moved in acirele, ΠΝ impossible however, that it should be immoveable: for all fire is naturally moveable. Tu its natural place therefore, it is alone moved in a circle. But let us return to the thing proposed to be discussed,

Butaf itis in its nataral place, it will cither be immoveable, or moved in acirele, ΠΝ impossible however, that it should be immoveable: for all fire is naturally moveable. Tu its natural place therefore, it is alone moved in a circle. But let us return to the thing proposed to be discussed,

If therefore the universe is generated, itis necessary that it should be sensible. But if sensible, itis visible and tangible, And itso, it consists of fire and earth, But if this be admitted, it also consists of the middle clements. | For tire and earth areas much disjoined from cach other as the sight and the touch, and require the other clements as connecting media. Tfhowever, the world is visible, itis necessary there should be fire; and if tangible, 1Ὸ is necessary there should be earth, Bor that which is solid is tangible, and is also able to resist the touch; since that which is friable, and cannot sustain the touch, is by no means κι]. Tence Pythagoras calls the earth the sustainer, as being solid, and resisting the touch, and as moved with dituculty, and participating of stable power. If therefore, as we have said, fire is requisite in order that the world may be visible, but earth, that itimay be tangible, divinity beginning from fire and earth, made the universe, Not that he first made these ; for we have already reyected the generation which is according to time; but since every physiology commences from contraries, on this account Plato says that the composition of the universe orianated from fire and earth, in order that it might become visible through fire, and tangible through the solidity of earth, which with great accuracy he calls ὦ certain solid. Por ἃ physical solid is one thing, bata mathematical solid another, And the datter ts intangible, but the other, which the discussion now requires, is tangible, Por that solid is tangible, which as physical Pence those are absurd who doubt why earth alone ix solid: for, say they, water and air are also solids, Por it may be said, in answerto them, that resistance expecially pertains to earth; since tt is the support and foundation of the other elements. For earth supports water, and

* The words ex’ evOecas, are omitted in the originalp. 297 both earth and water support air. Earth therefore, is the first tangible, and the first resisting substance, and on this account is the first solid. We shall omit however to notice those who say that Plato here calls the three elements after fire, earth, For if this were admitted, it would not be possible to assign what is the medium of earth and fire.

“ΤῸ is impossible however, for two things alone to cohere in a beautiful manner, without the intervention of a certain third ; fora certain collective bond is necessary in the middle of the two. But that is the most beautiful of bonds, which causes itself and the natures which are bound, to be one.”