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

And thus much concerning the principal parts of tin* order in what is said.

lilt respect however, to the middle position of soul, ditferent interpreters ex¬ plain it differently. For some say that the middle is the centre of the earth; others, that the nmon is the middle, as the isthmus of generated and divine natures ; others, that it is the sun, as lining established in the plan; of a heart; others, that it is the inrrratic sphere; others, that it is the equinoctial, as hounding tin* breadth of the world; and others, that it is the zmliack. And some indeed, place in the centre the ruling power of the universe; others, in the moon; others, in the sun ; others, in the equinoctial ; and others, in the zodiark. Jhil to the first of these, the power ot the n litre hears witness, tins 1 >* ing connective of < v« i v tin idatimi; to the second, the motion of the moon, which hi a various manner changes generation; to the third, the vivifu: heat of the sun; to the fourth, the facility of the motion of the equinoctial circle; and to the fifth, the rircul ition of the st.irs about the zodiaf k. Against all these however. Porphyry and Iamliliehus write. Illuming them for understanding the middle locally, and with interval, and inclosing in a certain part the soul of the whole world, which is every w here present similarly, and which rules over, and leads all tilings by its motions. Of these divine men likewise, Porphyry indeed, assuming this to be the soul of the universe, interprets* l/ic middle accord¬ ing to the psychical essence : for this is the middle of intelligible* and sensible*. In thus speaking however, lie will not appear to say any thing, as pertaining to the words of Plato. But if we should assume that the universe derives its com¬ pletion from intellect, soul and body, and is an animal possessing soul and intel¬ lect, in tins system wc shall find that soul is the middle. Plato therefore, having before said this, will appear to say nothing else now, than that the soul of the world is arranged so as to extend its energies through the universe, being allotted

1 For rpa i r»ji faHCjHvrn ytytotvt hero, read irpo Trjt, *. X.

p. 4

PROCLUS ON TII li

[book hi.

Plato therefore, having before said this, will appear to say nothing else now, than that the soul of the world is arranged so as to extend its energies through the universe, being allotted

1 For rpa i r»ji faHCjHvrn ytytotvt hero, read irpo Trjt, *. X.

p. 4

PROCLUS ON TII li

[book hi.

tlie middle order in it. For again secondary natures participate of those prior' to them; just as hotly which is the last of things, participates of soul which ranks m the inithlle, ami soul participates of intellect, which is prior to it. But tin* philo¬ sopher Iambiichus thinks that by soul, we should understand that soul which is exempt, siijK-rmundane, and 1|1 m rated, and which has dominion mer all tilings. For accorduiir to him, Plato dues not speak ot the mundane soul, hut ol taat which is imparticipahle, and is arranged as a monad above all mundane souls. For this is the first soul, and the middle is in this, as being similarly present to all tilings, in consequence of not belonging to any body, nor subsisting; in anv way in habitude, hut similarly animating, and being equally separated from all mun¬ dane natures. For it is not less separated from some, and more from others; since it is wi;limit habitude , but is similarly separated from all; though all things are not separated from it after the same manner. For in the participants of it, then* are the more and the less.

For it is not less separated from some, and more from others; since it is wi;limit habitude , but is similarly separated from all; though all things are not separated from it after the same manner. For in the participants of it, then* are the more and the less.

Our preceptor however, interprets the middle in a way more accommodated to the words of Plato. For since the soul of the universe has indeed that which is supermundane, and exempt from the universe, according to which it is con¬ joined to intellect, which Plato in the Pluedrus, and Orpheus in w hat he says about Jlippa, denominate the head of the soul; and since it has a ho another multitude of powers, proceedin’' from this monad, divided about the world, and appropriately present to all the parts of the universe, in one way indeed about the middle, in another about the » arlli, in another about the sun, and in another about each of the spheres; this being the ease, lie says that the present words indicate all these, so that soul animates the middle in oneway, hut the whole bulk in another, and leaves something else prior to these powers, exempt from the universe. In onler however, that we may not negligently attend to what is said by Plato, hut may exhibit the variety of the psychical powers, thus much must be said, tb it soul mucli prior to body, is a vital world, and is both one and number. And through tin* one indeed, if is superior to ev< ry habitude of form ; but through multitude, it governs the different parts of the universe. For by its guardian powers, it contains the unti e; since the whole sphcie is gm trued Jiom thence, and con¬ verges to it. Besides , every thing turbulent m the u <n Id, is colLcted about the middle, and requires a divine gum d, capable of it) r inging, and di taming it m its proper boun¬ daries. Hence also, theoh gists terminate the progressions of the highest duds, in that place; and the Pythagoreans call the middle the tower of Jupiter, and the guard-house of

1 Instead of yap avrr,i, ra rvv rpoi uirui iu tliin place, it is necessary lo lead /ueny« yap ai< ra burrrpa r*y wpo avrwe.

HOOK III.]

TIM/1XS OF PLATO.

p. 5

Jupiter. But by its stable, and at the same time vivifying powers, if contains the sphere of the earth. By its perfective, and generative powers, the sphere of renter. By its coih vective, and motive pnutrs. the air. By its umlefiU dpowers, fire. And by its intellec¬ tual pearers, all Inarm. Of these also, it contains in one wav the lunar sphere, in another, the solar sphere, and in another, the sphere of the fixed stars. For the souls of each of these govern in conjunction with the whole soul of the universe, their appropriate portions of the world.