Ocellus Lucanus On the Nature of the Universe (Taylor 1831)

as subjects; but the cause of generation then subsists where the subject matter remains the same: this being the case, it is evident that the cause of generation possesses both an effective and motive power, but that the recipient of generation is adapted to passivity, and to be moved.

But the Fates themselves distinguish and separate the impassive part of the world from that which is perpetually moved [or mutable]In the original, το τε απαθες μερος του κοσμου και το ακινητον, which is obviously erroneous. Nogarola, in his note on this passage, says, "It is better to consider if we read το τε αειπαθες μερος, και αεικινητον (the ever-passible and ever-moving part), so that the meaning is that they distinguish and separate the always-passible and always-moving part." But though he is right in reading αεικινητον (always moving) for ακινητον (immovable), he is wrong in substituting αειπαθες (always passible) for απαθες (impassive); for Ocellus is here speaking of the distinction between the celestial and sublunary region, the former of which is impassive, because not subject to generation and corruption, but the latter being subject to both these is perpetually mutable.. For the course of the moon is the isthmus of immortality and generation. The region, indeed, above the moon, and also that which the moon occupies, contain the genus of the gods; but the place beneath the moon is the abode of strife and nature; for in this place there is a mutation of things that are generated, and a regeneration of things which have perished.

In that part of the world, however, in which nature and generation predominate, it is necessary