The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 2 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning p — Plato — John Shaqi
The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 2 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning p
Plato · en
But the planets are called the Governors of the world, (κοσμοκρατορες)
and are allotted a total power. As the inerratic sphere too, has a
number of starry animals, so each of the planets is the leader of
a multitude of animals, or of certain other things of this kind.
Hence the doubt may be solved, why the one sphere of the fixed stars
comprehends a multitude of stars, but each of the planetary spheres
convolves only one star. For it must be said, that in the former case
the sphere indeed is a monad, comprehending in itself an appropriate
multitude, and is sufficient to the comprehension of a mundane
multitude which ranks as the first. But in the latter case, the
governing power is twofold, viz. the sphere, and each of the governors
of the world, who is a monad co-arranged with multitude. The sphere
itself, however, is a leader, a co-arranged monad and a wholeness;
(ολοτης) but each of the governors of the world is a leader and a
monad, but is not a wholeness. Indeed, subordinate natures require
a greater number of leaders, and a multitude in each of the spheres
unapparent on account of diminution. But in the sublunary region, the
orders which are the leaders of the genera in each of the elements are
still more numerous than those of the planets, as we learn from the
Grecian theogony.
In each of the planetary spheres, therefore, there is a number of
satellites analogous to the choir of the fixed stars, subsisting
with proper circulations of their own. The revolution also of these
satellites is similar to that of the planets which they follow;
and this according to Plato is a spiral revolution. With respect,
likewise, to these satellites, the first in order about every planet
are Gods; after these dæmons revolve in lucid orbicular bodies; and
these are followed by partial souls such as ours. That in each of
the planetary spheres, however, there is a multitude co-ordinate to
each may be inferred from the extremes. For if the inerratic sphere
has a multitude co-ordinate to itself, and earth is with respect
to terrestrial animals what the inerratic sphere is to such as are
celestial, it is necessary that every _wholeness_ should entirely
possess certain partial animals co-ordinate to itself, through which
also the spheres derive the appellation of _wholenesses_.[101] But the
natures situated in the middle are concealed from our sense, while in
the mean time those contained in the extremes are apparent,---one kind
through their transcendently luminous essence, and the other through
their alliance to ourselves. If also partial souls are disseminated
about these spheres, some indeed about the sun, but others about the
moon, and others about each of the remaining spheres; and if prior to
souls, there are dæmons giving completion to the herds of which they
are the leaders; it is evident that it is beautifully said, that _each
of the spheres is a world_. And this is conformable to the doctrines