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

For. Athos, a Macedonian mountain, emits a shadow as far as to Lemnos, which is distant from it seven hundred stadia. And Marcellus, who wrote the Ethiopic history, not only relates that the Atlantic mountain was of such a great height,p. 159 hut Ptolemy also says that the Lunar mountains are immensely high, and Aristotle informs us that Caucasus is illuminated by the sular rays during the third part of the night after the setting, and also forthe third part before the rising, of the sun. And he who looks to the whole magnitude of the earth, bounded by its elevated parts, will infer that it ix truly immense, according to the assertion of Plato. So that we are not now in want of certain mathematical methods to the development of what is said about the earth, nor do we attempt to recur to them. For these methods measure the carth according to the surface which ts ithabited by us ; but Plato says that we dwellin a cavity, and that the whole earth is elevated, which also the sacred rumor of the Eguplians asserts, Aud thus much concerning what is related of the magnitude of the Athintic istund, in order to show that it is not proper to disbelieve what is said by Plato, though it should be received as a mere history. But with respect to the power of this island, that there were ten kines in it who begat five male twins, and thatit ruled over the other islands, certain parts of the continent, and some parts within” the Pillars of Herceules,—all these particalars are clearly related in the Critias.

But with respect to the power of this island, that there were ten kines in it who begat five male twins, and thatit ruled over the other islands, certain parts of the continent, and some parts within” the Pillars of Herceules,—all these particalars are clearly related in the Critias.

Now however, for it is proposed to make an analysis of the particulars, the power is said to be great and admirable, according to a reference to the universe, hecause it’ procecds to every thing, and comprehends totally the whole of the second co-ordination, For it is held) together by ten hinges, because the decad comprehends the rulers of the two co-ordinations ; since the Pythagoreans also say, that all opposites are comprehended in’ the deead. But they were twins, so that there are five duads, twins being five times begotten from Neptune and Clites; because according to the measures of justice, there ts Jikewtse an orderly distribution of this co-ordination, of which the pentad isan image. ‘Phe proeression of it however is through the duad, just as that of the better co-ordination is through the monad. Moreover, all of them are the descendants of Neptune, because all the connexion of contraries, and the mundane war, belong to the middle fabrication, For as this God presides over the contraricty which every where exists, he Jikewise rules over generation and corruption, and all-various notion. But these kings subdued the Atantic island: as comprehending all the first and most total genera of the worse co-ordination, And they subdued the other islands, as likewise comprehending middles through the wholeness of them. But they also vanquished parts of the continent, as adorning as much as possible the last of things. And they had dominion over certain parts) of the internal habitable region, because the last parts of the better are subservicnt lo the first parts

ἐυσοωκαν eae Ste

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And they had dominion over certain parts) of the internal habitable region, because the last parts of the better are subservicnt lo the first parts

ἐυσοωκαν eae Step. 153 of the worse co-ordination. Nor is this at all wonderful ; since certain demons are in subjection to certain heroes, and partial souls which belong to the inteliigible portion of things are frequently slaves to fate. Such also is the Titanic order with the Gods to which Atlas belongs. And the first of these ten kings was called Atlas, and as it is said in the Atlanticus gave the name to the island. The summits, therefore, of the second co-ordination, are adorned indeed by the Olympian Gods, of whom Minerva is the leader; but they subdue the whole of the essence which is subordinate to the Gods, but terminates in the worse co-ordination; such as the essence of irrational souls, of material masses, and of matter itself. Plato also appears to have called the power of the Atlantics great and admirable, because Thaumas and Bias are said by ancient theologists to have belonged to this order. Perhaps too, he so denominated it, because the whole of the second co-ordination is the progeny of infinity, which we say is the first [power'], just as the better co-ordination is the offspring of bound. On this account he celebrates the power of the Atlantics, just as he does the virtue of the Athenians, which belongs to * bound : for it is the measure of those that possess it, After this manner therefore, I think we may be able to make the analysis according to the Pythagorean principles.

The words of Plato likewise, have a great augment, in order to exhibit the work of the victors in a greater and more splendid point of view. For he says δύναμιν τε, through the union of the particle re augmenting δύναμιν power. And he also adds, great, and admirable. But each of these is different from the other. For power may be great though it is nothing else, but it is said to be admirable from othér things. And by how much the more admirable that is which is vanquished, by so much’ greater is the victor demonstrated to be. Besides this also, indicating through divisions the multitude subdued by this power, he evinces that it is multitudinous and transcendent.

** But then all this power being collected into one, endeavoured to enslave our region and yours, and likewise every place situated within the mouth of the Atlantic sca.”

• * Avray is omitted in the original.’
• * Instead of προ τον πέρατος in this place, it is necessary to read wpos του weparos. ? For ro rovrp here, read τοσσυτῳ.

Tim. Plat. in '(.) an 6 U

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