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
It remains, therefore, that we should connumerate him with the
liberated Gods, in order that he may be proximate to the mundane
Gods; and on this account he is said to be in the heavens, and to be
exempt from the mundane divinities. On this account, likewise, he is
celebrated as _great_. For frequently media present themselves to
our view, from the extremes being surveyed according to mixture. Since
therefore, Jupiter is said to drive a winged chariot in the heavens,
and is denominated great, he is in a certain respect co-arranged with
the celestial Gods, and is exempt from them. But he who is at one and
the same time co-arranged with the Gods in the universe, among whom the
celestial Jupiter is allotted the highest dignity, and is exempt from
them, ranks among the liberated Gods, if in what has been before said,
we have rightly determined. Hence, of the Gods, some are exempt from
the universe; but others give completion to it; and others are at one
and the same time allotted a co-arranged, and an exempt transcendency.
This great leader in the heavens therefore Jupiter, is liberated and
supercelestial, and the whole dodecad shines forth in this order of
Gods. For there is one all-perfect and divine number, to which the
twelve leaders give completion. So that it is necessary the whole
number should be placed in this order of Gods, but we must not call
in a divided manner some of the leading and ruling Gods mundane, and
others supermundane. But if the first of them is supermundane, the rest
also will after the same manner establish themselves above the Gods in
the world. Each also is the leader of an appropriate multitude, and
is surrounded with a great number[52] of Gods and dæmons. But partial
souls rank among the last of their followers. For they are co-divided
with dæmons, and divine natures, and participate of the liberated
principality of the Gods, as far as they are able. For, as Socrates
says, “that which is willing and able always follows the Gods.” Through
these things therefore, we have reminded the reader, that the twelve
leaders of wholes celebrated by Socrates in the Phædrus, belong to the
liberated Gods.
CHAPTER XX.