Plato’s Timaeus. Folio XVI.

Let us accept this on the basis of belief. We should therefore believe those who, in former ages, claimed a kinship and close relationship with the divine race, and who left behind eternal monuments in their books for posterity concerning the nature of the elder Gods and their ancestors, and the births of each one. Certainly, it would be quite impious not to believe the sons or grandsons of the Gods. Although they speak without necessary or fitting proofs, yet because they pronounce upon matters of their own household, I think it right that they should be believed. Let our belief, therefore, follow the assertions of these ancient men: that Oceanus and Tethys were the children of Earth and Heaven. From these, furthermore, came Saturn, Rhea, and Phorcus. From Saturn and Rhea came Jupiter and Juno, and the others who are in the mouths and minds of men, and whose brotherhood is celebrated by fame. And from these others were born who are so considered. Therefore, to all these—both those who are seen in the heavenly vaults with flaming bodies The stars and planets, and those who are not seen—once they were born, nourished, and obtained their divinity, the God who is the founder of the universe commands and ordains them with the following speech.

Ee

The words of God to the deified ones

¶ Gods of gods: of whom I am the maker and father; you are indeed my works, dissoluble by nature, yet by my will indissoluble. For everything that is joined together is by nature dissoluble. But truly, to wish to dissolve that which has been joined and proportioned by good reason is not the part of a God. Therefore, because you have been made and generated, you are not entirely immortal nor in every way indissoluble; yet you shall never be dissolved, nor shall you undergo the necessity of death, because my will is a greater and more vigorous bond for the preservation of eternity † concord than those vital bonds from which your eternity was fastened and composed. Therefore, you must command what I command: this is the cause.

Three types of mortals are even now missing from the universe; while it lacks these, the whole world will lack perfection. It will, moreover, be imperfect if it does not contain within its view † view all types of mortals. However, if the world is to be perfect (and this shall come to pass by the power of my authority), it is necessary that the substance of every race be full. When the vigor of living is supplied to each animal, those which are better shall obtain a form and dignity closest to divinity. Therefore, so that mortals may exist and the whole world may not lack perfection, but may be truly whole and universal, I command that you undertake the creation of the mortal races according to nature. Imitating, therefore, my skill according to your own affection † affection, so institute and disentangle mortal things that, for that part which deserves a partnership with divinity and the sharing of its name, you shall fashion it endowed with divine firmness. This shall be the part which you foresee will obey you and cultivate justice. I myself shall perform the sowing of this universal race and deliver it to you. It is right for you to carry out the rest: so that you may surround the immortal and heavenly nature with a mortal texture from the outside; command them to be born, provide them with food, and give them growth; and after their dissolution, receive back that "loan" which you had entrusted to them, once the separation of soul and body has been made.

Ff

¶ He said these things, and then, pouring the remnants of the prior mixture—from which he had blended the Soul of the World—back into the bowl of the same vessel, he mixed them in almost the same manner and by the same reason; yet there did not arise the same purity or clarity of results, nor was it of such immutable perseverance, but of a second and third degree of dignity.

Gg

¶ And soon, having fastened together the machinery of the whole universe, he chose souls equal in number to the stars, and matched them one to one; and having placed them upon their fitting vehicles The "vehicles" refer to the celestial bodies or chariots for the souls, he commanded them to behold the nature of the whole universe. He taught them the laws of the immutable decree, showing that the first generation would indeed be uniform in all...