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

Hence, as the Demiurgus constituted the mundane soul, according to two circles, thus also he fashioned the universe of aspherical figure, assimilating it to the self-motion of soul. fence too, our vehicle is rendered spherical, and is moved circularly, when the

\ soul isin a remarkable degree assimilated to intellect. For the intellection of soul, and

\ . . . . . . . . “he . . . the circulation of bodies, imitate intellectual energy, just as rectilinear motion imitates the ascent and descent of souls. Vor these motions pertain to bodics, which

|

BOOK 111.} TIM.EUS OF PLATO. AA?

are not in their proper places. Farther still, the unceasing motion of the universe, is similar to infinite power; its uniform circulation, to simplicity of essence ; and the circulation of wholes, after the same manner, and about the same centre, to eternal permanency. Again, as the one motion of the world comprehends all motions, one wholeness, all wholes, and corporeal parts; and as one nature, comprehends all second and third natures, thus also it is necessary that the one mundane figure, should be comprehensive of all figures. This figure, however, is spherical, at the same time being one, and capable of containing multitude ; which is a circumstance truly divine, to have dominion over every thing multitudinous: without departing from unity.

In addition also to these things, as intelligible animal itself comprehends all intelligible animals, according to one union, thus also the world being assimilated to its paradigm, comprehends all mundane figures, according to the spherical figure. Fora sphere alone is able to comprehend all the elements. As therefore the world by its onlyness adumbrates the intelligible universe, thus also by its spherical figure, it imitates the comprehension of wholes in that universe. Farther still, the world through this fizure is assimilated to intelligible beauty. For how is it possible that a thing which is perfectly equable, commensurate, and similar, should not be in a remarkable degree beautiful? If, therefore, it is necessary that the world should be the most beautiful of sensibles, it is requisite that it should have a figure of this kind, on all sides equal, definite, and accurate.

If, therefore, it is necessary that the world should be the most beautiful of sensibles, it is requisite that it should have a figure of this kind, on all sides equal, definite, and accurate.

sides the same, pertains to the cause of bound. Farther still, that which is cole lective of many things into one, and likewise the generative, and the spermatic, rejoice in a figure of this kind. But this is manifest in seeds, and in the more ptincipal parts of animals: for nature renders these as much as possible, spherical. Again, the immutable, the unbroken, and the perpetual, are most adapted! and allied to a spherical figure; since in consequence of every where verging to itself, it is most powerful. For the centre is unific and connective of the whole sphere. Very properly, therefore, did the Demiurgus constitute the universe, which is connective of itself, of a spherical figure. These things, therefore, may be philosophically said concerning this particular.

* Yor owecora here, read οἰκειοτατα.

p. 448

After another manner, however, the same thing may be syllogistically inferred, physically in the way in which Aristotle endeavoured to prove it. For since the universe is moved in a circle, and it has been demonstrated by him that there is nothing external to the extreme circumference of the world, neither vacuum, nor place, it is necessary that the figure of the universe should be spherical, and not rectilinear. For if it was rectilinear, there would be a vacuum. For as the universe revolves in acircle, it would never have the same place through the alternate mutation ofthe angles and superticies. For since of every other figure besides a sphere, the lines from the middle are unequal, there will be a vacuum according to the less interval, where the bulk of the body is not. Whether therefore it be according to length, or according to breadth, there will be, during the revolution, a less interval, For a vacuum is perfectly equidistant; bat where there is no body nor figure, there will be a deficiency, In Consequence of the magnitude being less than the vacuum.’ Farther still, from secondary natures also, you: may assuine physically, that the universe is spherical. For the earth Is spherical, as is evident from all things every way tending to the middle of it. But water is dilfused round the earth, and itis spherical. For there is a contlux of it into the concavity, till it comes into contact with the central part of the earth, The ar also surrounds the water and the earth, and the fire surrounds the air. It, however, this be the case, the heavens likewise will be spherical. For there will be a vacuum within them, unless they also spherically comprehend tire.

It, however, this be the case, the heavens likewise will be spherical. For there will be a vacuum within them, unless they also spherically comprehend tire.

Again, nature distributes to the first of bodies, the first of figures, and a simple figure, to a simple body. For in each genus of things, ¢#e one is prior to the many, and the simple, to the composite. As, therefore, we distribute motions in a way adapted to their works, to simple works indeed, simple notions, but to composite works, Composite motions; thus also there is an allotinent of appropriate figures, one kind to simple, but another to composite bodies. Ligure, however, ts, as tt were, the visible resemblance of form, the morphe of morphe, and as it were anafiation of the peculiar hyparcis of each particular thing. Hence, that which is essentially simple, proceeds into a simple figure, but that which is variously mingled, has also a co-mingled idea of figure. Farther still, the celestial motion is the measure of notions ; but the measure in each thing is that which is least. The least motion, however, is the swiftest. But circulation is the swiftest of motions. If, however,

"Tustead of over ro σχημα ἐλλείψει, δια τὸ peyeNus, ἐλαττον ον τὸν KEVoU in this place, it is necessary to read, ονὲς ro σχημα, ἐλλείψει, δια ro peyeOus ἔλαττον ον τὸν κενὸν.

BOOK 111. TIM EUS OF PLATO, 449

this be the care, the heavens are spherical. For the sphencal is the swiftest of motions, IN consequence, as the Elean guest says, of proceeding on the smallest foot. Again, of bodies, some consist of similar, but others of dissimilar parts. "To bodies, therefore, of dissimilar parts, dissimilar figures are necessarily distributed by nature. For polygonous and, in short, angular figures, are of this kind, and wiso those that consist ofmany superticies. But to bodies of similar parts, similar fizures are adapted contermably to their excellence. For the sphere alone among solids is a similar figure; since all the rest have dissimilar ficures. For some have two superficies, ἂς ibe cone, others three, as the cylinder, others four, others five, and others more than five, as pyramids on polygonous bases arranged in suecession. If, therefore, ether consists of similar parts, but the figure of that which consists of similar parts is similar, and the similar is spherical, ether is spherical. After this manner, therefore, we may physically prove that the world is spherical,