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 / Translated from the originals by Thomas Taylor.

  • Thomas Taylor
Date:
1831
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: 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 / Translated from the originals by Thomas Taylor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    they exist in perfection when they are generated and receive their proper nature. Hence matter [or a universal recipient ] is necessary to the exist- ence of generation. The second thing which is necessary, is the ex- istence of contrarieties, in order that mutations and changes in quality may be effected, matter for this purpose receiving passive qualities, and an aptitude to the participation of forms. Contrariety is also necessary, in order that powers, which are natu- rally mutually repugnant, may not finally vanquish, or be vanquished by, each other. But these powers are the hot and the cold, the dry and the moist. Essences rank in the third place; and these are fire and water, air and earth, of which the hot and the cold, the dry and the moist, are powers. But essences differ from powers; for essences are locally corrupted by each other, but powers are neither corrupted nor generated, for the reasons [or forms] of them are incorporeal. Of these four powers, however, the hot and the cold subsist as causes and things of an effective nature, but the dry and the moist rank as matter and things that are passive* ; but matter is the first * Thus also Aristotle, in his Treatise on Generation and Cor- ruption, Seguoy de nas Yureov, nas Oy eov, TH MEV TH FOnTiKe tiVOl, THe de tw wadnrixa Atgerus i. e. * With respect to heat and cold, dry- ness and moisture, the two former of these are said to be effective, but the two latter passive powers.”’
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