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

Through a motion also in the same, it ha<, the same motion with the universe, but through always discursively proceeding about the same things, it lias always an arrangement referring to tin* same end, participates ot the same soul, ami is converted to the same intellect.

Jj j., necessary therefore, to make a division of the words of I lato conformably to these dogmas, after the following manner: He gave to each of the stars two motions, one, in the same, and about the same things, by the same, understanding the motion about the proper centre of the star. Afterwards, making a stop, it will lx* necessary to add, always diunoetically, perceiving in itself the same thing about the same things. For it is evident that the psychical motion which is here

Hook iv.]

T1 MAX’S OF 1’LATO.

p. 273

signified, lias alwavs a dianoetic perception of real beings. I’or this is manifested by the words, “ about the same things, and the same thin g." For the starry soul does not at dill’erent times, dianoelically perceive dilli rentlv about the same things, as is the case with our souls. Again, we must say that by the advancing motion, is meant the corporeal motion of the star, according to which it wholly passes from one place to another. And afterwards liy making a stop, we must add. Through the domination of the same and similar circulation, calling till's circula¬ tion, the motion of the circle of the same of the whole soul of the universe, by which also, the soul of each of the stirs is vanquished, and through the imitation of which it is mmed to that which is before itself. Vnd this i> truly to Ik* led bv its intellectual energies, and to co-assimilate' itself to thediyine periods of it. It i> evident however, that this advancing motion alone pertains to thing* that are wholly transferred from one place to another. For the stars indeed, havo an advancing motion, but not tiie inerratic sphere, since this is alone mo\ed in a circle. Thus also the planets are moved with an advancing motion, but not the spheres ol I lie planets. 1

For the stars indeed, havo an advancing motion, but not tiie inerratic sphere, since this is alone mo\ed in a circle. Thus also the planets are moved with an advancing motion, but not the spheres ol I lie planets. 1

Annin therefore, we may perceive the order of the things, from the number of the motions. Fur tin* motion of the universe is uniform; that of the lived stars, is Informed; and that of sublunary bodies, is multiform and indefinite. For thoiurh each of the planets is moved with a uniform motion, yet the commixture of many |»eriods, both of the period appropriate to each, and of that which ism conjunction with the* uierrutic sphere, causes the lution to be various. For it is requisite that the causes of variety, and the principles of contrariety, should lie antecedi utly comprehended in the heavens. < >r how could the heavens contain ’ generation, how could they govi rn the mutation of the sublunary eh incuts, unless they comprehended in tin nisi Ives the cause of contrariety ? Since however, they are immaterial, so |ar as this is possible in sensibles, the contraries m tin m are not hostile to, nor in sedition vv ilh each ollu r, but they are consubsistent vv ith each other, and the same tiling is moved with twofold cir< illations, one of vvlui h is not essen¬ tial, and the other according to accident, U 1 may sjnak what apjiears to me to be the case; but both the circulations are essential. For what is there in the heavens which is an accident, since all things there are immaterial, and all things derive their subsistence* from the whole fabrication ? Hence figure and motion are there essential. Since therefore the heavens are immaterial; by which I mean,

* For dm^ioi'TO here, rn:| avi t'ouetuit la.

* liolo.nl of at »ai m lius place, il i« nece-oary lo read 01 rXaiti/iti wr efaipat.

1 t"f rrpir'fi licrr, ll Ik r« <pti it< lo read npryi.

Tim. Plat. V ol. II 2 M

•274

PROCLUS ON Til!*

[book I*, that they are exempt from this sublunary matter, which is inefficacious, possesses a spurious beauty, and is deformity itselt; this lieing the case, they comprehend in themselves at once, contrary motions. For being external to this sublunary matter, which sustains nothing, contraries concur in them, and are united to each other. But in this sublunary matter tlu-re are hostile oppositions, from not being able through its imln-eihly, to receive the presence of both the forms. And thus much concerning the motions ol the stars.

But in this sublunary matter tlu-re are hostile oppositions, from not being able through its imln-eihly, to receive the presence of both the forms. And thus much concerning the motions ol the stars.

It is evident however, that the live motions which l’lato takes away from the fixed stars are, the upward and downward, the backward motion, and the motion to the right hand, and the lett. For lie had before taken tin* six motions from the iuerratic sphere. To the fixed stars however, lu* gave an advancing motion, in order that they might be moved with the motion of the universe ; but to the pla¬ nets he gives, not only an advancing, or direct motion, \uit also a retrograde mo¬ tion; for according to the latter alone, they are said to wander. INor ought we to wonder, if what he before called to the right hand, lie now denominates to the an¬ terior part. For as with reference to the whole circulation it is to the right hand ; but as with reference to the stars, to the anterior part. And it seems, that so far as the world is one, it has one motion which is especially about Intellect and wisdom; but so far as it is divided into the inerratic sphere and planetary region, it has through a twofold circulation, a motion to the right hand, and to the left; and so far as it contains partial animals, fixed ami wandering, it has a direct and retrograde motion; the former being the motion of the fixed st irs, hut the latter of the planets. It seems also, so far as it is possible to predict from these things, that each of the fixed stars moves similarly to the iuerratic spin re, about its own centre, but as circulating towards the west. For thus likewise eat h being moved by the whole sphere, is moved to that which is before itselt. For that to which the motion of a thing is directed according to nature, is anterior to the thing. Hence that to which the circulation of each ol the stais is directed, is towards tht west, that thus the motion of it, may he similar to that of its wholeness ; just as the east is anterior to the planets to which they are moved according to nature. Ail advam mg motion therefore, is the motion of the fixed stars, and not of the planets. For there is something external to the former; since one thing in them is the leader, but the other follows.' 1 he whole sphere however, ol the fixed stars transcends all rectilinear motion, and is alone moved eircularly. ^ on may also say, that the planets have a peculiar motion, and that this is towards the east ; hut that at the

1 i e. Ia flie hud star*, die whole sphere is the leader bul each of the stars in this spin re follows the sphere itself.

no ok iv. |

TIM/KUS OF PLATO

‘275 same time, they circulate wholly through the depth of their spheres; and likewise, tliat the east i> anterior to them, hot that through the ineiratie sphere, they have a retrograde motion, whirh is contrary to their own propel motion.