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
As we have said however, the twelve Gods convolve every mundane genus,
whether it be divine, or dæmoniacal, to the vision of intelligibles,
and perfect their separate energy. They likewise comprehend in
themselves all the supercelestial genera, so that whether there be a
paternal genus of the liberated Gods, or a vivific, or an undefiled
and guardian genus, they are comprehended in this number. For this
number must not be surveyed as if it was such as twelve is in units;
for number in the Gods is not of this kind; but it must be beheld in
the peculiarity of hyparxis. For as the duad in the Gods presides over
prolific power,[49] and the triad, over the first perfection, thus also
the dodecad [in the Gods,] is a symbol of all-perfect progression. For
since these Gods close the end of the powers that are unapparent and
exempt from the world, and ride on the celestial Gods, according to
each of these, the dodecad pertains to them, viz. it belongs to them
as terminating the all-perfect in the progression of the supermundane,
and as presiding over the celestial Gods. For they impart to the latter
a distribution from themselves into the dodecad, and especially guard
them in this number. The ruling dodecad therefore, was all-perfectly
supermundane; but the celestial, is evidently mundane only; and the
dodecad of the liberated rulers contains the communion of the extremes,
and binds the order posterior, to that which is prior to itself. And on
this account indeed, the liberated Gods are perfective of the mundane
Gods, and lead them upward. But they are proximately suspended from the
ruling Gods, are emitted from them, and administer the indissoluble
connexion of both. [i.e. of the supermundane and mundane Gods.]
CHAPTER XIX.