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
It now remains that we direct our attention to the other kings, who
produce the apparent sublunary order of things; for such is the
arrangement which they are allotted. Plato adds therefore, “That from
Saturn and Rhea, Jupiter, Juno, and all such as we know are called
the brethren of these descended.” This is the third progression of
the Gods who are the fabricators of generation, but the fourth order,
closing as a tetrad the nomination of the leading Gods. For the tetrad
is comprehensive of the divine orders. But as a duad this progression
is assimilated to the first kingdom; because that as well as this is
dyadic. There are, however, present with it, the all-perfect according
to progression, and the uncircumscribed according to number. But
Plato here not only adds the words “_such as_,” as in the progression
prior to it, but likewise the word “_all_,” that he may indicate
the progression of them to every thing. For we use the term το οσον
_such as_ in speaking of things united, but the term το παντας _all_,
in speaking of things now divided and multiplied. The total (το
ολικον) likewise pertains to this progression. For the Gods which are
denominated in it, and those that proceed every where together with
them, are characterized according to this form of fabrication. For all
demiurgi are total. Who therefore are they, and what kind of order do
they possess?
The divine Jamblichus then asserts that Jupiter is the perfector of all
generation; but that Juno is the cause of power, connexion, plenitude
and life to all things; and that the brethren of them are those that
communicate with them in the fabrication of generation, being also
themselves intellects, and receiving a completion according to a
perfection and power similar to them. But Theodorus, again dividing
the life which animates the total in habitude, and forming it as he is
accustomed to do into triads, calls Jupiter the power that governs the
upper region as far as to the air; but Juno the power who is allotted
the aerial part of the world; and the brethren of them those that give
completion to the remaining parts. For Jupiter is the essential of
the soul that subsists in a material habit, because there is nothing
more vital than essence. But Juno is the intellectual part of such a
soul, because the natures on the earth are governed by the productive
principles proceeding from the air. And the other number is the
psychical distributed into particulars.