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

But it was requisite that he also should, in a certain respect, have been familiar with Solon, in order that the old man might opportunely relate all the history to him. Hence, likewise, the praises of the poetry of

* For παρεισκεκληκεν read παρεισκνκλ yeer.

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Solon precede the history 5 the praise being given by Amynander in order to gratify Critias. And thus much concerning the disposition of what is said in the text.

That Solon, however, went to Egypt, not only for the purpose of obtaining the Atlantic history, but likewise that the Athenians, during his absence, obeyed his laws, which he had bound them by an oath not to violate, is evident. Por during this time, also, he associated with Crarsus, and sailed to Egypt; but on his return, he became master of the city, which was ina tumultuous condition through the Pisistratida. And thus much we have derived from history. Origen, however, doubts how Plato calls Solon most free: for this is not an encomium adapt ed toa poet. And he dissolves the doubt by saying, that he is so called, either because he spent his money (ideral/y, or because he used the greatest freedom of speceh; and that on this account he was free, without any timidity in his poetical compositions. Or he was 50 denominated, as being in lis poetry remiss and uncompelled. But Tamblichus says, that no one of these solutions is true, but that through this appellation, the Uderated condition of the intellect of Solon, the τις servile nature of his virtue, and that which was venerable in his character, and which transcended all other things, are signified. The same interpreter also says, that the daughter of Critias manifests a generative progression from causes, perfect, and rejoicing inits progeny. But the remembering well, indicates the salvation of effective principles in the world. Why, therefore, was Solon anxious to deliver the Atlantic war in verse?) Because, says he, all natural works and the mundane contrariety subsist through imitation, Por this is analogous to its effective and primary Causes; just as Critias is analogous to proximate and secondary causes. But why was he prevented by sedition? Because material motions and material tumult become an impediment, as we have before observed, to the productive powers of mundane Causes.

“Tn consequence of this, Amynander enquired of Critias what that history was. ‘To which he answered, that it was concerning an athair, which ought most justly to be the greatest and most renowned which this city ever accomplished ; though through length of time, and the destraction of those by whom it was undertaken, the fame of its execution has not reached the present age.”

Longinus says, that something is wanting here to render the sense complete

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For the word considered is wanting to the words most justly to he, because these are required in what follows, but not the word overs, being. Porphyry, however, says, that Longinus did not perceive, that, in consequence of the undertaking being the greatest, but not yet celebrated, Plato adds, “ ought most justly to be most renowned.” But we, directing our attention to things, say, that Plato calls it the greatest undertaking, as bringing with it an image of all contrariety, extending itself every where. And that he denominates it most renowned, as contributing to the visible fabrication of things. For thus, also, the works of nature are called by

Orpheus renowned.

Boundless eternity, and nature’s works Ἧ
Renown'd, remain.

“Relate this affair, O Critias, says Amynander, from the beginning, and inform us what that transaction was, how it was accomplished, and from whom Solon having heard it, narrated it asa fact.’

Joe. Relate what this admirable deed was, how, or after what manner. it was performed, how it became Known to, and by whom being preserved, it reached the hearing of Solon. Plato appears, through this, to investigate the whole forin of contraricty, how it was effected, or may be known, and from what causes, tous invisible, itis suspended, Before, therefore, he recurred through relatives to the narration of Solon; but now he investigates the superior histories of it, or, that ITmay speak clearer, the principles of the fabrication of this contrariety. And by directing your attention to this narration, you may survey, as in images, through certain symbols, all the principles of this fabrication, as far as to the first causes of it.

“ There is, then, says he, a certain region of M.gypt, called Delta, about the summit of which the streams of the Nile are divided, and i in which there is a province called Saitical.”

In the first place, itis worth while to observe how the narration always delivers things comprehended, proceeding from such as are more comprehensive ; from

Egypt, indeed, the river, from this Delta, from this the Saitic province, and from this Sais, sacred to Minerva. In the next place, having observed this, it will be

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In the next place, having observed this, it will bep. 80 proper to ascend through the analogy of these things, to the first and most comprehensive causes of fabrication. For you may perceive this supernally comprehended by more total causes, and proceeding as far as to the last of things ; comprehending causes every where preceding such as are comprehended ; the more total, such as are more partial; and the impartible fabrication, that which is parti ble, and is denominated recent ; to which also the present words refer the father of the narration. And this fabrication, indeed, is filled from these causes, and particularly participates of the undefiled power of Minerva. For, in short, since we refer this war, for the sake of which the whole narration 15 excited, to the mundane contrariety, it will be well, preceeding in the same way, to assimilate all the knowledge of the Egyptian priests to the former [or impartible] fabrication, which stably comprehends the productive powers contained in the universe 5 but the history of Solon, which is always recent, and placed in mutations, to the more novcl fabrication, and which administers the all-various circulations of mundane natures. We shall also be benefited by perceiving how, in images, the difference between human and divine fabrications becomes apparent; and how, i these, Solon, indeed, calls on the priest to the developement of ancient transactions, but the priest knows both such events as are reckoned ancient by the Greeks, and prior to these, such as are truly ancient. For thus also, in’ divine fabrications, that which is recent or junior, is converted to that which Is more ancient, and is perfected by it; but the latter antecedently Comprehends the causes of the former, and is established above it, by still greater and more perfect intel- Jectual perceptions and powers, And thus much concerning the whole of the text.

It is necessary, however, to discuss every particular. With respect to Egypt, therefore, some call it an image of matter; others of the whole earth, as being divided analogously to it; and others of the intelligible, and the intelligible essence. But we say, that in what is here asserted, it is assimilated τὸ the whole invisible order, which is the principle of visible natures. With respect to Delta also, itis produced from the Nile, being divided about the Saitic province, so as to make its egress from one right line to the right and left, and to the sea, the sea forming the hypothenuse of the triangle, which Plato calls the Saitic province 5 indicating, in what he here says, that it is that about which the stream of the Nile is divided. It is, however, analogous to the one vivific fountain of all divine life, and, in visible natures, to the celestial triangle which is connective of all generation, heing proximate to the ram, which the Egyptians particularly honor, on account