Ocellus Lucanus on the nature of the universe : $b Taurus, the Platonic philosopher, on the eternity of the world. Julius Firmicus Maternus of the thema mundi. Select theorems on the perpetuity of time, by Proclus.
Plato · en
And in a similar manner with respect to
that which is moved from C, if it is moved with one motion to B, A is not
contrary to C, so that neither will the motions from these be contrary.
THEOREM 5.
Things which are naturally moved in a circle, neither receive generation
nor corruption.
_Demonstration._—For let AB be that which is naturally moved in a
circle, I say that AB is without generation and corruption: for if it
is generable and corruptible, it is generated from a contrary, and is
corrupted into a contrary. But that which is moved in a circle has not
any contrary. It is therefore without generation and corruption. But
that there is nothing contrary to things naturally moving in a circle,
is evident from what has been previously demonstrated: for the motions
of things contrary according to nature are contrary. But, as we have
demonstrated, there is nothing contrary to the motion in a circle.
Neither, therefore, has that which is moved in a circle any contrary.
THEOREM 6.
The powers of bodies terminated according to magnitude are not infinite.
_Demonstration._—For, if possible, let B be the infinite power of the
finite body A; and let the half of A be taken, which let be C, and let
the power of this be D. But it is necessary that the power D should be
less than the power B: for a part has a power less than that of the
whole. Let the ratio, therefore, of C to A be taken, and D will measure
B. The power B therefore is finite, and it is as C to A, so D to B; and
alternately as C to D, so A to B. But the power D is the power of the
magnitude C, and therefore B will be the power of the magnitude A. The
magnitude A, therefore, has a finite power B; but it was infinite, which
is impossible: for, that a power of the same species should be both
finite and infinite in the same thing, is impossible.
THEOREM 7.
Simple bodies are terminated according to species.
_Demonstration._—For let the magnitude A be a simple body. Since,
therefore, a simple body is moved with a simple motion, A will be moved
with a simple motion. And if it is moved in a circle, it will have one
nature and one form. But if it is moved according to any one of the
motions in a right line, if it is moved from the middle only, it will
be fire, but if only to the middle, earth. But, if it is light with
respect to one thing, and heavy with respect to another, it will be some
one of the middle elements. The species therefore of simple bodies are
terminated.
THEOREM 8.
Time is continued and perpetual.