Ocellus Lucanus: On the Nature of the Universe. Taurus, the Platonic Philosoher, 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 Proelus |
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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 eternal exist facility of motion feminine sign fixed stars fore gene geniture Gods governed 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 Synesius Syrianus take place Taurus THEMA MUNDI THEOREM things moved Timæus of Plato tion translation treatise Typhos universe whole world is unbegotten Youg δε μεν τοις τῷ
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Page 79 - 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, irrational 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. The so much celebrated heroic age was the result of...
Page 82 - 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 74 - No one shall look up to heaven. The religious man shall be accounted insane, the irreligious shall be thought wise, the furious brave, and the worst of men shall be considered a good man. For the soul, and all things about it, by which it is either naturally immortal, or conceives that it shall attain to immortality, conformably to what I have explained to you, shall not only be the subject of laughter, but shall be considered as vanity. Believe me, likewise, that a capital punishment shall be appointed...
Page 79 - ... 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 29 - 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 50 - 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 75 - These events and such an old age of the world as this shall take place, such irreligion, inordination, and unreasonableness of all good. When all these things shall happen, O Asclepius, then that lord and father, the God who is first in power, and the one governor of the world, looking into the manners and voluntary deeds [of men,] and by his will, which is the benignity of God, resisting vices, and recalling the error arising from the corruption of all things; washing away likewise all malignity...
Page 73 - 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.
Page 83 - Jupiter comes from the same to the same in twelve years, but that of Saturn in thirty years, it is evident that when Jupiter has made five, Saturn will have made two revolutions ; for twice thirty is sixty, and so likewise is twelve times five ; so that their revolutions will be conjoined in sixty years. Souls, therefore, are punished for such-like periods.
Page 80 - ... 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. The so much celebrated heroic age was the result of one of these fertile periods, in which men, transcending the herd of mankind, both in practical and intellectual virtue, abounded on the earth.