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

For the body which is nearer to the sphere of the fixed stars, will be sw ifter, for the before mentioned reasons.

But what i> the meaning of the assertion, that the planets “ revolve uith a spiral motion , bet au.se at one and the same time theif are moved m two contrary directions And how are we to admit of contrariety in a circular motion? For each of the planets being moved with two local motions, i* not the cause of the spiral motion ; but this arises from their being moved in the oblique circle [i. e. in the zodiac] towards the equinoctial. Thus, if some one supposes that the Sun is moved with the universe towards the equinoctial, the cause of this will not be a spiral motion, though there is an anti-circulation. IVor must it l>c simply admitted that the motion which is contrary to a circular motion, is another motion [i. e. is a motion of a different kind]. For many beautiful arguments have liecn urged against this opinion. May not therefore the words, moved at the same time m two contrary directions nu-an, that they are not only moved at one and the same time to the east and west, but also that they become both according to breadth, and according to depth, nearer to, or more remote from the earth, and more northern, or more southern ? For these two motions, make a spiral, in conjunction with the lation

BOOK IV ]

TIM/EUS or PLATO.

p. 230

of the universe. The spiral likewise, is adapted to the planets, which are media between the fixed stars, and snhlmiary bodies; the former being moved according to a circle alone, and the latter, in right lines. Just again, as it is natural to the planets being media, to be moved both anomalously and equably, according to length, breadth, and depth ; in order that they may have the paradigms of the natures that are all-variouslv moved posterior to themselves, and may imitate through circulation the uniform subsistence of the natures prior to them. These things then fore, are manifest to every one.

These things then fore, are manifest to every one.

It is however, not at all wonderful, that contrariety should exist in the heavens* prior to the contrarieties in the revolution of the circle of the ihj/cnnt ; since in the genera of being there is said to be a contrariety of sameness and difference, motion and permanency, anil in the principles themselves of these, bound and infinity. For these are contraries, because in the terminations of them, there is a certain contest and dissontion, though they always possess the power of acting in con¬ junction with each other. It is by no means wonderful therefore, that there should also be in the heavens, a contrariety of these motions. For those contraries are not now assumed, which are hostile to, and corruptive of each other; for these are material and partible natures; but simply those, which are effective of con¬ traries, and those which are most distant from each other. For this also is a cer¬ tain mode of contrariety in nature; since, that the apparent motion of the hea¬ venly bodies is one thing, and their true motion another, indicates the pre-sulisistence there of non-being, and its complication with being. T he figure of the spiral likewise, is no vain, fortuitous thing, but gives completion to the media between bodies that move in right lines, and those th.it are moved in a circle. For the circle alone, as vve have said, is in the inerratic sphere, but the right line in generation. And tbe spiral is in tlie planetary region, as having a co-mixture of the periphery and the right line. The motions also according to breadth and according to depth, are the proximate causes and paradigms of the motions in the sublunary region, viz. of the upward and downward, and the oblique motions. Perhaps likew ise, the theurgist [Julian] in celebrating time as of a spiral form, and as both y oung and old, directed his attention to this, conceiving that the temporal |*eriods, were esjieeially to lie known through the motion of the planets. And thus much concerning these particulars. Put Plato adds in the next place as follow s:

“ And that these circles might possess a certain conspicuous measure of slowness and swiftness with reference to each other, and that the

p. 240

1MIOCLUS ON THE

[book IV.

motion of the eight circulations might be manifest, the divinity enkindled a light, which we now denominate the Sun in the second revolution from the earth, in order that the heaven [i. e. the world] might in the most eminent degree become universally apparent, and that such animals might participate of number as are adapted to its participation, receiving numerical information f rom the circulation of the same and the similar/’

e. the world] might in the most eminent degree become universally apparent, and that such animals might participate of number as are adapted to its participation, receiving numerical information f rom the circulation of the same and the similar/’

Plato lion* delivers the one rilling cause of the generation of visible time. For as the Deminrgus constituted invisible tune, so the Sun produces the time which is visible, and which measures the motion of bodies. For through light, it leads into visibility ever) temporal inlenal, hounds all periods, and exhibits tin* mea¬ sures of the restitutions of things to tin ir pristine state. Deservedly therefore is the Sun a conspicuous m< asure, a> especially unfolding the progression 1 of time according to number, into the universe. For it has a more accurate jieriod than that of the five plain ts, its motions being less anomalous than theirs ; and also than that of the Moon, In always t< miniating at the same point its progressions to the north and the south. Hut if it has a more accurate period, >t is deservedly a measure of measures, ami from itself hounds ’ the periodic measures of the other plain ts, and the swiftness of their motions with reference to each other. It also m a greater degree imitates the perpetual permanency of eternity, l>v always revolving after the same manner. In this way therefore, it differs from the planets.

After another manner likewise, the Sun is a more manifest measure than the measure of the inerratic sphere. I or though this sphere has a certain appropriate measure, a proper inti rval, and one immutable number of its peculiar motion, yet the solar light causes this measure and all the < volution of apparent time to be manifest ami known. lienee Plato says, “ In order that there might be a certain consj'icuous measure For though there is a certain measure in the other planets, vet it is not clear and manifest. Hut the sun unfolds into light both other intelli¬ gible* and time. Von must not however on this account say that the solar light was generated lor the sake of measurement. For how is it possible that wholes should subsist for the sake of parts; governing natures for the sake of the govirned; ami per|ietual for the sake of corruptible natures ? Hut we should rather "ay that light possessing an evolving power unfolds total time, and calls forth its

* For wffwihir here, il is necessary to rr.nl wpontov.

* For ywpiUtiv here, it is necessary to read cpizti.

BOOK IV.]

TIM.’EL'S OF PLATO.

*211