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

F'or that which is material is but small as with reference to the universe, and is as it were a certain bottom of the world. For thus in the Re¬ public, Plato divides the w hole world, into eijrht whirls, comprehendin''

the w hole of a material nature in the o^doad. These things therefore are said, and are well said. A-.;aiu, however, it may lx* more perfectly said, that through this monad ami heptad of circles, he comprehends all the parts of the world. For as in the heavens there are a monad anil a heptad, thus also analogously in the sphere of a-ther, some things are co-ordinate to the inerratic circle, hut others to the plauetary spheres. Ami the whole etlierial order which is there, imitates the heavens. This is likewise the case in the profundity of the air, in the masses of

* 1 or t»rnpf lu re, if i» nctf**«ir\ In hnpJ rmpy inti.

PROCLl’S ON THE

[book 1^ l.Hi water, and in the bosoms of the earth. For not only the earth is divided analo¬ gous to the heavens, but also the other elements, and in each there are monads and heptads, comprehensive of the orders that are in them, and of empyrean, aerial, and aquatic plenitudes. 1 he circles therefore of the soul, antecedently comprehend all these monads and hebdomads; the circle of the Mime, containing some of them, but the circle of the different others. This likewise appeared to be the case, to the most scientific theolopists that rr« i e.t is/id.'

1 he circles therefore of the soul, antecedently comprehend all these monads and hebdomads; the circle of the Mime, containing some of them, but the circle of the different others. This likewise appeared to be the case, to the most scientific theolopists that rr« i e.t is/id.'

Plato al.-o will grant, that series extend from the inerratic and planetary spheres, as far as to terrestrial natures, whether they are divine, or da inoniaeal, or those of partial souls ; since he is of opinion that s« ries of the twelve liberated, leaders extend from on high as far as to the last ol things. For it is necessary that the less should follow the mole prim ipal periods, ami that the several subeelestial should imitate the celestial series. Hence the psychical circles will comprehend the causes of these, as being arranged analogously to them. If these things, how¬ ever, * are admitted, it is evident we must attain say that the planets which revolve with an equal ccleritv are arranged in the miiblle of the wholes ol the universe, not onlv as hi ing analogous to the monads in the v« slibuh s of the pood, viz. to truth, beauty, and iymmtti 1/ ; but liki w ise after auotli* r manner, vvlm 1 we before mentioned, as possessing the boinl of w holes ; so that they are established accord¬ ing to that which elevates secondary to fust natures, according to that which unfolds into li^ht first to secondary natures, and according to that w hicli similarly binds both of these together. Ol the rest, however, we must sav that earth and 1 liie inerratic spin re are analogous to the Synodic* Heaven and Larth [of the intel¬ ligible and at the same time intellectual order of (>ods]; 1ml that water and [tin planet] Saturn are analogous to Rhea and Saturn [of the intellectual order]; and air and Jupiter, to the Jupiter and Juno [of that order). After these, it will not be nnappropriate to say, that the Moon and Mars 4 have tin next order; the latter possessing the power of separating first and masculine from miiblle natures ; hut the former of defining and distinguishing third and as it were feminine natures from those of a middle order. Rut in the media, the extremes are, that which possesses an analogic power [i. e. Mercury], and that which has the power of unfolding into light [1 e. the Sun]. And the medium between these, is that which con¬ nectedly contains all things in amatory bonds [i. e. Venus]. This also theolopsti.

* fruilii), I have 110 doubt, means by llu»e the Chaldean thcologists For £ti liere, lead b-

’ For vara mi tins place, it is neccssarv to read vat.

4 Instead of ueoa litre, it u obs lously necessary to read apta.

BOOK III.]

TIM XUS or PLATO.

p. 137

e. Venus]. This also theolopsti.

* fruilii), I have 110 doubt, means by llu»e the Chaldean thcologists For £ti liere, lead b-

’ For vara mi tins place, it is neccssarv to read vat.

4 Instead of ueoa litre, it u obs lously necessary to read apta.

BOOK III.]

TIM XUS or PLATO.

p. 137

manifest. For they rail the first of these, the messenger of the Gods; the second, the gate of ascent ; anti the power which is in the middle of both, Venus' Ix.-ing the friendship or love, which is the connective medium of the universe ; whether the Sun is prior, and Mercury posterior to her, or vice versa. Perhaps too, they will revolve with eipial celerity, so far ns all of them look to one tiling, the hond of wholes; rind their energies will have this for their end, to establish nil things m one union, no that the universe may he tilled with its proper causes. All things therefore, are in the soul, according to nnicnl comprehension. For the eight circles arc pouers, uni tally comprehending things which subsist in a divided manner in scnsiblcs , both in the heavens, and in au k of the elements. And thus much may in short he said concerning all the circles.

Attain however, considering the circle of the different by itself, we say that its division into six parts, is most eminently adapted to the soul. For according to the doctrine of the Pythagoreans the soul is a hc.rad. And tin if arrange the monad as analogous to a point, but the hc.rad, to that which is animated, and the heptad, to that which is intellectual. But how is it possible we should not sav, that the number of seven circles is adapted to the soul, which is produced by the vivitic Goddess [Rhea], who is a monad, duad, and heptad, comprehending in herself all the Titannuhc ? Farther still, this may hr* considered after another manner; for the heptad is a number productive of opportunity (xmiemv as/i'xnf). ami is perfective and apoeata^tatic of periods. Inti is respect therefore, it subsists appropriate ly with reference to the soul, which produces and directs all things by its motions. If, however, this be the ease, it is evident that these eircles of the soul are gnostic, and by a tnurli greater priority, vital powers of it, both totradic and triadic. For through both, they are comprehensive of all sensihles, and through the triad know all the similitude in them, hut through the tetrad, all the dissimilitude, ami all the variety and genera which they contain. They know likewise, through these, whether sensihles in their existence, whatever it may be, participate of a certain truth, or symmetry, or beauty, from truly-existing beings.

Moreover, the subsistence of these seven geometrical terms in each of the circles, gives a septuple increase to the ratios. But this is an indication of the self-motive nature of the soul. For it generates and multiplies itself, and is at one and the same time a heptad, and a manlier proceeding from the heptad.