the morr uniform over the multiplied, linitos over infinites, and t{ie more nv»*r tin* less intellectual. As therefore in inlclligibles, hound lias dominion over the infi¬ nite, in inteller turds tin* male ou r the female, in supermundane natures sameness over difference, and similitude mu dissimilitude, thus also in the soul, the period of the same predominate over the circulation of the different. Hence also in sen- sibles, the planetary is under th** dominion of the iuerratic sphere, <md every multiform genus of life is contained by the uniform genera. Hr nice from these things likewise it may he assumed, that sameness is Letter than difference; that again similitude appears to l>e more excellent than dissimilitude; and that the opinion of the generality of l'lulnni*ts is not true, that difference is Letter than sameness and dissimilitude th in similitude. For on account of the form itself of sameness, the circle of the same is more divine. For the undivided , signifies divine union, an indivisible life, and uniformity in powers. \\ by therefore, someone may say, if this is better, rltrl not the Dr miurgus sutler the whole soul to l>e undi- vided ? We reply, because it is requisite 1 that the soul should possess all forms, and all the reasons and causes of mundane natures. And that which is compre¬ hensive of twofold circles, I'i morr.-perfect than that which is deli tied according to one power. For that which is after such a manner the same, as in sameness to comprehend difference occullly, is more excellent than that which subsists ac¬ cording to the psychical middle. Hut it fx-rlains to the essence of the soul to have dominion over difference, in conjunction with sameness. For the intelligible and intelbrt, are as it were the circle of sameness alone, lint the sensible essence, is as it were the circle of difference alone. For in the former, difference subsists occultly; hut in the latter, sameness has an obscure and superficial subsistence. And the soul i* a medium between both, being a duatl, and having twotohl cir¬ cles, one of which pertains to intellect, hut the other to the sensible essence. It likewise possesses twofold reasons, the one intellectual, hut the other effective of the world ; and the one proceeding to truly existing Iwings, but the other coming into contact with seiixiblcs.
“ But as to the interior circle, when lie had divided it six times, and ^ had produced seven unequal circles, each according to the interval of the double and triple ; each of the intervals being three ; lie ordered the circles [i. e. orbs] to proceed in a course contrary to each other; three of them indeed revolving with a similar celerity, but the other four dissimilarly to each other, and to the three, yet in a due proportion."
’ For here, read ibi.
PKOCLFS ON Till,
[BOOk. III.
In the first place, if you are willing, let us now surrey "hat is said by Plato, astronomically. For this mode of doctrine is appropriate, and let us conceive the depth of the planetary spheres, as one tiling, and throughout similar to itself; because, as those who are skilful in things of this kind say, it consists of one matter; but is divided into seven orbs, which revolve in a certain respect con- ♦ rarv to each other. Or as some sa\, because the sun and the moon ait similarly moved in their epicycles, revolving in their mbs will, a motion contrary to that of the inerratic sphere. Hut others make one 1 at ion of the equable and the ano¬ malous. < >r tin re is one depth of the planetary spheres,] because as others say, Saturn, Jupiter, anti Mars, make the lust eastern phases, alter their conjunction with the sun, in const -ipienn of tin >un bciri" moved with greater celerity than these plain ts in coils* tpn nlia ? Hut the moon makes western phases, because lieilur moved more swiftly than tin- sun, slit* is perceived more easterly. Mrr- tm v ami Venus however sometimes appear to us m this way, and sometimes in that. Or there is one depth because tin planets make apparent stations, advan¬ cin'' motions, and relrourcssions, are diaim li n allv opposed to cat h other, ami revolve in contrary directions, souu brim; movi d tn the north, but others to the houtli. Or in whatever vvav von are willim; to eonsuler this allair ; tor there are different opinions on this Mihj et. Or, wliieli may lie more truly asserted, l»e- < aiise Plato savs, the l)ciiiiun;iis ordered the orbs to proceed ina course con¬ trary to eat l« other, he does not mean that the seven are moved m contrary ilirectiiuis, hut the one orb and the seven, on account of their contrary latino. For thus, m what follows, he says, that the planets and the inerratic sphere, are at one ami the same time moved with their proper motions, in cuiitraiy diivt lions. Plato, however, neither here nor elsewhere - makes mention of t pit vies, or eccen- trus but describes the seven eircles about one centre. lienee, he dot s not add other circles to these; nor does lie make a mechanical difference of the motions, j.’or ii U |, |M ndeiltlv of his omitlliU' to meiititm these, the hypothesis of epit yh s, and of phases, is l»y no m* alls adapted to the circles in the soul. I he eirele of the di/jtnnt, there fore, is tlivith tl into I In >e seven t irt les, three of which he says rt volve with a similar, but the other four, with a dissimilar o lerilv. J<»r three of t} iem , mz. the Sun, Mercury and Venus, as it is saitl m the Republic, are equal m their course; but the othi i four, viz. the Moon, Saturn, Mars, ami Jupiter, are umspial. At the same time, however, all of them revolve in a due proportion, both with reference to each other, and the universe; liecause the motion ol them is ♦ yolved accordiiifr to numbers. [Ami the periodic circulations of all of them,
1 | or yvfttn hen 1 ! ii is iu* i '*21'
*'H»K Iii }
i im i;us or pla ro.
m:s
are terminated in a heronim" manner.’] It seems also, ax is manifest from what is liere said, that Plato places tin- difference of the < < j 111 1 it v ami inctpwlitv of the motions in the v i-ihle 01 hs of the planets, in the imeipi illy moved circles [i. e. spheres] hi whit h tliev are rarrit d, prior to the planets themselves. lienee, placing the circles alone in the soul, without the stars, (tor these he had not vet eonsli- tnteil,) lit says that some of these are mover! with an equal reierity, hut others with an unetpial celerity. Loth with reference to the former, and to themselves. \nd these things indeed are manifest.
The assertion, however, that eaeh of the seven circles was divided accord in" to tilt* interval of the ilonhle and triple, each of the intervals hein" three, is literally i onsidered ddiieult to he umlerstood. At the same time it signifies, that aecor- din:; to each interval of the double and triple intervals, each Iwin*; three, (for in four ti rms lln-re are three intervals) the se< lion was made, which is the same tiling as a division according to length ; in order that in eaeh of the seven c ircles, there nii^lit he all the intervals, and all the ratios. For if the section had l»ocii made according to one interval, some of the intervals would have heen distrihnted into some of the circles, and others into others. But because the division proceeds according to each, each part is a part of each, and all the circles participate of all the ratios. I nless indeed it may be more truly said, that the circles are divided six tunes, conformably to the number of the double and triple intervals, these l win £ six. For the intervals Ircin^ placed successively, and not divided accord¬ ing to d« pth ; (hut I mean hy successively, no as to he extended through the whole circle, just as they were arranged through the whole ri^ht line, from which Im hi" bent the circle was generated,)— this heinj; the case, it would Ik? ridiculous to make such a section according to depth, as to divide each of the circles in one part.
'I liese things therefore heiii" premised, we shall further observe. Iiejrinnin:; from the pha iioniena, that since the Mml of the universe possesses the reasons of ail mundane natures, and powers which irive subsistence to them, it is necessary that it vhould not only contain the intellectual causes of man, and horse, and of other animals, hut likewise prior to these, of the w hole-parts of the world ; I mean of the inerralic and plain tary spheres. It is likewise necessary, that from the duad which is in this soul, the heavens should sustain a division into two parts; that prior to the seven planets, there should pre-exist in it the true hebdomad ; and that it should contain the causes of the dissimilitude and similitude of the circles.
1 The words within the hra« Jiels are wanlmp iu lli* original, l>nt art invrlcd fioin the vcru .c >J J lioma »iv
PROCLUS ON Till.
[ finoK ill
For at our nature generates according to tlve reasons [or productive forma] in it, tvro eyes, five lingers, and seven viscera; for it antecedently comprehends the niimlwrs of these parts, on which account it always produces after the same manner, and "enemies the same form, when the impediments arising from matter do not prevent the generation accorvliii" to nature from taking place; and as tie* one sense in us, possessing the causes of these live senses, generates secondarily from itself, tlie powers which are distributed about the body; after the same manner also, the circle of the different, < omprt bends in itself the primordial causes of the seven cireles [or spheres,] according to which they are adorned, and dis¬ tributed in an orderly manner. For all heaven participates of both the circles; but the iuerratic sphere participates more of the em le of the same, and the plane¬ tary sphere, more of the circle of the different. Hence the former is indeed un¬ divided, hut the latter is divided. The hu im r ilso is moved from the east, hut the latter from the west. For the one indeed imitates the uniform [and intellectual power of the soul, hut the oilier its multiform powers,'] in consequence of re¬ joicing m motion and variety, though the inerratic sphere also is comprehensive of many divine animals. The circle of the same, likewise, comprehends the causes of all things, but it is without section ; because all the multitude in it is connascent with itself through union, and it is vanquished by the bond of same- uess. Hence also the intrratic sphere is mined with one lation. lint each of the seven spheres, comprehends a multitude of powers, some o< which are more total, but others are more partial. Now, however, Tim am s delivers the unities, and the fnM comprehensions of them; hut omits the inexplicable decrements of the divine reasons. For the circle [or sphere } of cm h, is a plenitude of appropriate life, which is ti ther of a connei tediy containing, or dividing , or binding, or anagogic, or (j smne o thcr such-like peculiarity. Many powers likewise contribute to its perfection, some of which are generative of primary and secondary Gods, but others of dan.ons, and ot/m s of partial souls.
\\ hy however, some one may say, did not the l)emiur"iis produce a peculiar circle of essence, as well as of sameness and dilference T We reply, Ix-cause these arc opposed to each other, but essence is common to the whole soul Hence ac¬ cording to tins the whole soul is one, hut is Informed according to those; just as of the rii,ht lines, one precedes the two. Here likewise the monad precedes* the l.< bduruad, just as the impartible of the soul, is the leader of the division into
’ Here also llie wurds within ihe brackets are wanting in the original, and are supplied born the vei-ion of I'homsus; so that in the original after pioeotdr), the «*ords »a« n/tpne nji iwapi*, tl
t» lirafun roust be supplied.
1 l'or tt)v riji tpfopaNji tene in this place, it is necessary to read vpo ryt tplopalot «<m>
r* no k hi.]
1 I M El’S OF PLATO.
i zr,