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
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In the next place, let us show whence they derive the whole of this
number. It is necessary therefore, that they should have their
hypostasis from the Gods prior to them; since the progression to
the assimilative Gods was from the intellectual fathers, and to the
intellectual fathers supernally from the intelligible and at the same
time intellectual Gods, just as to these the progression was from
the first intelligibles. For since the order of the assimilative
rulers is prior to that of the liberated Gods; as is also the triad
of the intellectual kings; or rather the demiurgic monad establishing
in itself the all-perfect measure of the division of wholes into
the triad,--this being the case we must survey the causes of the
generation[53] of the liberated Gods according to both these, viz.
according to the demiurgic measure, and the genera of the assimilative
Gods. For the different orders of them are imparted from these two.
Moreover, if we remember what has been before observed, we gave a
fourfold division to the middle progressions of the assimilative Gods.
And we said, that some of them are paternal, others prolific, others
of an elevating, and others of a guardian nature. Since therefore, the
demiurgic monad divides progressions into first, middle, and last, in
the same manner as the intelligible father prior to it, but the Gods
posterior to this monad, emit the rivers of themselves tetradically
to secondary natures,--this being the case, the dodecad of liberated
Gods presents itself to our view, above indeed proceeding according
to the triad, but beneath being quadruply multiplied. Hence, of the
genera which give completion to it; some indeed, are allotted the
demiurgic and paternal triadically; others, the generative and vivific
triadically; others, the elevating peculiarity triadically; and others
after the same manner the undefiled and guardian characteristic.
For all their peculiarities are derived from the multitude of the
assimilative Gods. But the division of them into first, middle and
last, proceeds from the demiurgic cause. And thus much concerning the
number of the liberated Gods, whence, and how it is generated.
CHAPTER XXI.