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

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the extremes may have two media, and the continued quantities two; the latter having solids for the media, but the forme., common powers. For let fire indeed be attenuated in its parts, acute, and easily moved. For it has an attenuated essence, and is acute, as having a figure of this hind ji. οὐ a pyramidal figure], and on this account.is incisive and fugitive,’ and permeates through all the other elements. It is also moved with facility? as being most near to the celestial hodies, and existing in them. For the celestial fire itself is moved with celerity, as is likewise sublunary fire, which is perpetually moved in conjunction with it, and according to one circle, and one impulse. Since therefore, earth is contrary to fire, it has contrary powers, viz. grossness, obtuseness, and difficulty of motion, all which we see are present with it. But these being thus hostile, and being solids, are also similar solids. For their sides and their powers are analogous. For as the gross is to the attenuated, so is the obtuse to the acute, and that which is moved with difficulty, to that which is moved with facility. But those are similar solids of which the sides that constitute the bodies are analogous. Tor the sides are the powers of which bodies consist. ence, as fire and earth are similar bodies, and similar solids, two analogous media fall between them; and each of the media will have two sides of the extreme situated next to it, and the remaining side from the other extreme. ITence, since fire has for its three physical sides the triple powers, tenuity, acuteness, and facility of motion, by taking away the middle power, acuteness, and introducing instead of it obtuseness, we shall produce air, which has two sides of fire, but one of earth, or two powers of fire, but one of earth; as itis fit that what is near should rather communicate with it, than what is separated in the third rank from it.

Again, since earth has three physical powers, contrary to the powers of fire, viz. grossuess of parts, obtuseness, and difficulty of motion; by taking away diffeully of motion, and introducing facility of motion, we shall produce water, which consists of gross parts, is obtuse, and is easily moved; and which has indeed, two sides or powers common with earth, but receives one from fire. And thus these media will be spontaneously conjoined with each other; cominunicating indeed in twofold powers, but diflering in similitude by one power ; and the extremes will be bound togetiier by two media. Each element also will thus be in a greater degree conjoined to, than separated from the element which is

* For vearioy in this place, read νπαικτικον τ"

* Instead of axernros here, it is necessary to read evaeynror.

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Each element also will thus be in a greater degree conjoined to, than separated from the element which is

* For vearioy in this place, read νπαικτικον τ"

* Instead of axernros here, it is necessary to read evaeynror.

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near to it; and one world will be perfectly effected through all of them, and one harmonious order, through the predominance of analogy. Thus also, of the two cubes 8 and 27, the medium 12 being placed next to 8, will have two sides of this, but one side of 37. For 12 is produced by 2 Χ 2 Χ 8. But itis vice versa with 18 For this is produced by 3 X 3 X 2. And the side of 27 is 3, in the same manner as 2 is the side of 8. The physical dogmas therefore of Plato about the elements of the universe, accord with mathematical specalations,

Hence these things being thus determined, let us physically adapt them to the words of Plato. We calla [physical] plane or superticies therefore, that which has two powers only, but a [physical] solid that which has three powers. And we say, that if we fashion bodies from two powers, one medium would conjoin the elements to each other. But since, as we assert, bodies possess triple powers, they are bound together by two media. For there are two common powers of the adjacent media, and one power which is different. And the extremes themselves, if they consisted of two powers, would be conjoined through one medium. For let tire, if you will, be alone attenuated and easily moved; but earth on the contrary, have alone grossness of parts aud immobility, One medium therefore, will be sufficient for these. For grossness of parts and facility of notion, and tenuity of parts, and difliculty of motion, are all that ts requisite to the colligation of both. Since however, each of the elements is triple, the extremes require two media, and the things themselves that are adjacent, are bound toges ther throngh two powers. For solids, and these are things that have triple contrary powers, are never co-adapted by one medium,

“Thus therefore, the divinity placing water and air in the middle of fire and earth, and rendering them as much as possible analogous to each other, so that what fire is to air, that air might be to water, and what air is to water, that water might be to earth, he bound together and constituted the heaven, visible and tangible.”

Some of the Platonists, being impelled. by the assertions of Aristotle, extend through the whole world one passive matter, not at all different from that of the heavens, and in consequence of embracing certain barbaric opinions, give to the world a fifth body, end refer the doctrine concerning it to Plato, For Aristotle, following these opinions, introduced a filth element. And this ina certain respect he obscurely signifies, adducing the observations of the Barbarians as a

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And this ina certain respect he obscurely signifies, adducing the observations of the Barbarians as ap. 421 testimony of the perpetuity and sameness of the motion of ether. But others assert, that the heavens are of a diflerent essence, as having a different form of life, a more simple motion, and a more perpetual nature ; but that Plato is now speaking about the sublunary elements, and adorns these by analogies. These menindeed, speak rightly, both with respect to things, and the opinion of Plato, in asserting that the nature of the heavens is different from mutable, and in short, material things; but at the same time ' they neglect the Platonic words, in which the philosopher says, that “ ¢he Demiurgus bound together and constituted the heaven [or the universe} through the analogy of the four elements ;”? and again, in another place, “ that he eluborated the idea of the stars, for the most part from fire.”

Let us therefore, if you are willing, preserving the opinions of both these men, perspicuously show, that the whole world consists of the four elements, and that the heavens are of a different essence [from the sublunary region]. And in the first place let us discuss the latter, For it is necessary, either that the heavens, should be entirely different from the four elements, being, as some sav, a fifth element; or that the heavens should consist of the four elements ; or from some one of the four; or from more than one. And if* the heavens consist of the four, they either consist of elements specifically the same with the sublunary, or of others. Tf however, that element is different from the four, how does Plato say that the whole world consists of the four elements? But if it is constituted from one of the four, how does he say shortly after, that the stars consist for the most part of fire? And if the world is constituted from more elements than one, [but not from all the four] how will it happen that a divine body will not be imperfect, and how wiil it possess all things, though the earth, and in short the sublunary region, have all things? Bat, if the world consists of all the elements, how does it happen, that in the heavens the composition of them is indissoluble, but in these [(sublunary] realms is dissoluble. For they will not be indissoluble on account of equal dominion. For whence, if there is equal dominion, is the variety in the heavens produced ? And how does Plato say that fire for the most part predominates there, if there is an equal domination? But if the heavens consist of four elements specifically different from the four sublunary elements, how, since they are composites, are the heavens moved with a simple motion? Where also are the wholenesses of the things which are there mingled !

' For ἡμῶν in this place, it is necessary to read opws. * Ecis omitted here in the original,

409 PROCLUs ON THE [BOOK ti.