Ocellus Lucanus on the nature of the universe. Taurus, the Platonic philosopher, on the eternity of the world. Julius Firmicus Maternus of the Thema mundi: in which the positions of the stars at the commencement of the several mundane periods is given. Select theorems on the perpetuity of time, by Proclus. Tr. by T. TaylorPr. for the translator, 1831 - 96 pages |
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Page 10
... gods ; but the place beneath the moon is the abode of strife and nature ; for in this place there is a mutation of things that are generated , and a regeneration of things which have perished . In that part of the world , however , in ...
... gods ; but the place beneath the moon is the abode of strife and nature ; for in this place there is a mutation of things that are generated , and a regeneration of things which have perished . In that part of the world , however , in ...
Page 20
... gods , but in the earth men , and in the region on high demons ; — this being the case , it is necessary that the race of men should be perpetual , since reason truly in- duces us to believe , that not only the [ great ] parts of the ...
... gods , but in the earth men , and in the region on high demons ; — this being the case , it is necessary that the race of men should be perpetual , since reason truly in- duces us to believe , that not only the [ great ] parts of the ...
Page 23
... gods and demons , and by men , and families , and cities . Those , therefore , who deliberately consider these things , ought not , in a way similar to irra- tional animals , to engage in venereal connections , but should think ...
... gods and demons , and by men , and families , and cities . Those , therefore , who deliberately consider these things , ought not , in a way similar to irra- tional animals , to engage in venereal connections , but should think ...
Page 28
... God is the cause . Concord binds together families and cities ; and of this , law is the cause . Hence , there is a * In the original , ás dei , xa , så åv dei , xai öre dei , a mode of dic- tion which frequently occurs in Aristotle ...
... God is the cause . Concord binds together families and cities ; and of this , law is the cause . Hence , there is a * In the original , ás dei , xa , så åv dei , xai öre dei , a mode of dic- tion which frequently occurs in Aristotle ...
Page 33
... Gods con- tractedly contain these in their unity and divine intellection ; for , in sublunary natures , we are satisfied in apprehending that which , for the most part , takes place on account of the instability of their subject matter ...
... Gods con- tractedly contain these in their unity and divine intellection ; for , in sublunary natures , we are satisfied in apprehending that which , for the most part , takes place on account of the instability of their subject matter ...
Common terms and phrases
according to nature Ægyptus ancient animals Archytas Aristotle Asclepius assert beginning celestial circle circular motion cities Commentary comprehends conformably conjoined conjunction consists contrary powers corrupted dæmons deluge Demiurgus Demonstration.-For let Diogenes Laertius dissolved divine dryness in earth Egypt elements epistle of Plato essence exist facility of motion feminine sign Firmicus fixed stars fore gene geniture Gods greater apocatastasis heat heavens Hence Hermes Trismegistus human race incorruptible infinite intellectual JULIUS FIRMICUS MATERNUS Jupiter likewise Manetho manner masculine sign matter Mercury moist moisture in air Moon mundane period mutation naturally moved observes obtuseness OCELLUS LUCANUS opinion Osiris Petosiris philosopher planets Proclus Pythagoras quæ revolutions right line Saturn says simple body simple motion sphere sublunary supervenient Synesius Syrianus take place Taurus THEOREM things moved third age Timæus of Plato tion translation treatise Typhos universe whole world is unbegotten Youg δε μεν περι τοις
Popular passages
Page 27 - See dying vegetables life sustain, See life dissolving vegetate again : All forms that perish other forms supply, (By turns we catch the vital breath, and die) Like bubbles on the sea of matter born, They rise, they break, and to that sea return.
Page 77 - The different periods in which these mutations happen, are called by Plato, with great propriety, periods of fertility and sterility. For in these periods, a fertility or sterility of men, animals, and plants, takes place ; so that in fertile periods, mankind will be both more numerous, and upon the whole, superior in mental and bodily endowments; to the men of a barren period. And a similar reasoning must be extended to animals and plants.
Page 77 - ... according to, and sometimes contrary to nature. Hence the celestial bodies, which are the first parts of the universe, perpetually subsist according to nature, both the whole spheres, and the multitude co-ordinate to these wholes*; and the only alteration which they experience is a mutation of figure, and variation of light at different periods : but in the sublunary region, while the spheres of...
Page 80 - They say that a conjunction of planets then took place, and their tables show this conjunction. Bailly states that Jupiter and Mercury were then in the same degree of the ecliptic, Mars at a distance of only eight, and Saturn of seven degrees ; whence it follows that at the point of time given by the Brahmins as the commencement of...
Page 48 - Necepso ( a ), who deserve all possible admiration, and whose wisdom approached to the very penetralia of Deity, scientifically delivered to us the geniture of the world, that they might demonstrate and show that man was fashioned conformably to the nature and similitude of the world...
Page 48 - And thus the Demiurgus exhibited man by the artifice of a divine fabrication, in such a way, that in a small body he might bestow the power and essence of all the elements, nature, for this purpose, bringing them together ; and also, so that from the divine spirit, which descended from a celestial intellect, to the support of the mortal body, he might prepare an abode for man, which, though fragile, might be similar to the world. On this account, the five stars...
Page 71 - O Egypt, Egypt, fables alone shall remain of thy religion, and these such as will be incredible to posterity ; and words alone shall be left engraved in stones, narrating thy pious deeds. The Scythian also, or Indian, or some other similar nation, shall inhabit Egypt. For divinity shall return to heaven, all its inhabitants shall die, and thus Egypt, bereft both of God and man, shall be deserted.
Page 40 - ... natures. Thus we call a thing visible, which is not seen, nor has been seen, nor will be seen, but yet is in the same genus with things of a visible nature. And this will take place with a body which may exist about the centre of * See my Translation of the Commentaries of Proclus on the.
Page 37 - ... representing this beautiful distribution of the elements, by Proclus, arithmetically. Let the number 60 represent fire, and 480 earth ; and the media between these, viz. 120 and 240, will correspond to air and water. For, as 60 : 120 : : 240 : 480. But 60 = 3 X 5 X 4, 120 = 3 X 10 X 4, 240 = 6 X 10 X 4, and 480 = 6 X 10 X 8. So that these numbers will correspond to the properties of the elements as follows: Fire. Air. 3X5X4 3X10X4:: Subtle, acute, moveable. Subtle, blunt, moveable. Water. Earth....
Page 48 - Quid mirum, noscere mundum Si possunt homines, quibus est et mundus in ipsis, Exemplumque dei quisque est in imagine parva?