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

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.

Of the six motions therefore, Plato ascribes to the fixed stars, that which is to the anterior parts; and hence you may infer, that this motion is more honourable than the re>t. For as Aristotle says, the motion of that which is most excellent, is most excellent. Hence, of the other motions, the local is the ln*st; but of local motions, the first, is the circular, but the second, the advancing or direct motion. For the latter motion pertains to the fixed stars; but each of them is immoveable and stable, with inspect to tin; five motions. For Plato mentions both these, lest you should think that this immobility is a remission, sluggishness, and privation, and in order that you may conceive it to pertain to the fixed stars, through a transcendency of nature. But this is evident from what follows: for he says, that it is “ in order that each of them, might become as much as possible most excellent ." For if an immobility with respect to the live motions, has for its ulti¬ mate end, the beauty and good of the order of the celestial bodies, it is not the non-possession of vitality, and privation, but a power which predominates over variety. For the circle of the ir.erralic sphere, comprehends all motion, in what¬ ever way it may he ellected ; but the advancing motion of the stars contained in it, evidently unfolds into light, the principle of a rectilinear progression; and the v ariety of the planets conducts and governs all the indefiniteness of generation, as proximalely moving it in an all-various manner bv their evolutions. Plato therefore, ascribes a motion of this kind to the fixed stars.

Plato therefore, ascribes a motion of this kind to the fixed stars.

Yj t such however, as move them in conserpientia, or with a retrograde motion, about the poles of the zodiac, through a portion of a hundred years, as Ptolernv and Hipparchus prior tohiin did, confiding in observations, knowm the first place, that the Jygyptians prior to these, employing observations, and still prior to the Egyptians, the Chaldeans, being taught by the Cods, prior to observations, were of a similar opinion vv ith Plato, concerning the motion of the fixed star**-. For the < )rach s not once only but frequently speak of the advancing procession of the fixed stars. For they say, “The menstrual course, and the starry ndvancing procession.” And again, “ The advancing starry procession was not generated for your sake.” The theurgist [Julian] likewise, in his doctrinal treatises, when speaking about the tliird father 1 says, “ He established the numerous multitude of fixed stars, compel- \ linghre to fire. But he fixed them witha stability* void of a wandering motion.” In which words, he clearly testifies, that the fixed stars move in the same place, and

* i. f. About Jupiter the D« miurpu*.

* For wij 4« *aX iv in lint pLico, it is necessary to read ft »\a»

I'KOCLUS ON Till'.

[BOOK IV.

27«

But he fixed them witha stability* void of a wandering motion.” In which words, he clearly testifies, that the fixed stars move in the same place, and

* i. f. About Jupiter the D« miurpu*.

* For wij 4« *aX iv in lint pLico, it is necessary to read ft »\a»

I'KOCLUS ON Till'.

[BOOK IV.

27« about tlie name things; ho that the opinion of Plato derives credibility from both. To which may be added, that the phenomena are sutlicient to persuade those that hare eyes. For it is evident, that if the lived stars were moved about the poles of the zodiac with a retrograde motion, the Hear which sets in these places, and which from the times of Homer, has been so often celebrated as always splendid in the same manner as it is now, ought to have been moved more than fifteen degrees, and not about the pole of the equinoctial. The star Canobus' also, ought m longer to appear making a short period, above the horizon, to those in the thin climate ;* but as Posydonius says, ought to be seen by those in Rhodes passing bv the horizon. Th« Hear however is alvvays resplendent, and Canobus preserves the same position. The motion of the lived st irs then fore in consequentia, which is so much celebrated bv these m« u, is not true. Hut if adducing the baneful mo¬ tions of the plant ts, and the calculations of nativities, in proof of this retrograde motion of the lived stars, they fancy they shall speak conformably to the pint 110 - mena, it must lx* said to them, that those also who are not of this opinion respet tmg the motion of the lived stars, accord in a remarkable degree with the pheno¬ mena. And aKo th it in forming i anons respecting the motions of the planets, and in studying the doctrine of nativities, they are not at all in want of this hypo¬ thesis of the motion of the lived stars in consequents. But the men I particularly allude to, arc the ('iialdfianx, who had observation's vj a hide murulam periods. Why then-fore, should we adduce as a testimony, the records of a f» w ob-i nations, and views of a juvenile nature, which are not aeeomp.mn d with such great accuracy, when the very extendi d observations of the ( halih ails hear witness to the dogma of the ancients, concerning the motion of the lived stars** For those who do tieing HO luctl word as ^vytfipiuk. 1 read therelore. Cl fe ioi rai run r\atwfjttuji ktt ijiTfil.

* Caiiuliui or Canopus, is a most bright fixed star of the lir>t magnitude, m llu- helm of I tit ship Argo.

1 via. In Alexandria- For accenting l» I tie aiKients there arc seven climates, the firs! of which was called Mcroe; the second. Sync; t lie tliiril, Alexandria; I tie fourth, Rhodes; the fiflli, Rome, or the Hellespont; the sixth, the F.uxire »ea ; amt the sevenlli, the mouth of the Rons!tu nes. V id. 1‘liii. Hist. Nat I. (> c. 8

* In the original, n h iai rus t^i'^i^iipiui riji rwe iViiie^oiiii' vnijseia*, wtiuli is vers corrupt, ihere