translatedbyBenjaminJowett
　　TIMAEUSPERSONSOFTHEDIALOGUE：SOCRATES；CRITIAS；TIMAEUS；HERMOCRATES
　　Socrates。One，two，three；butwhere，mydearTimaeus，isthefourth
　　ofthosewhowereyesterdaymyguestsandaretobemyentertainers
　　to—day？
　　Timaeus。Hehasbeentakenill，Socrates；forhewouldnotwillingly
　　havebeenabsentfromthisgathering。
　　Soc。Then，ifheisnotcoming，youandthetwoothersmustsupply
　　hisplace。
　　Tim。Certainly，andwewilldoallthatwecan；havingbeen
　　handsomelyentertainedbyyouyesterday，thoseofuswhoremainshould
　　beonlytoogladtoreturnyourhospitality。
　　Soc。DoyourememberwhatwerethepointsofwhichIrequiredyouto
　　speak？
　　Tim。Weremembersomeofthem，andyouwillbeheretoremindus
　　ofanythingwhichwehaveforgotten：orrather，ifwearenot
　　troublingyou，willyoubrieflyrecapitulatethewhole，andthenthe
　　particularswillbemorefirmlyfixedinourmemories？
　　Soc。TobesureIwill：thechiefthemeofmyyesterday’s
　　discoursewastheState—howconstitutedandofwhatcitizens
　　composeditwouldseemlikelytobemostperfect。
　　Tim。Yes，Socrates；andwhatyousaidofitwasverymuchtoour
　　mind。
　　Soc。Didwenotbeginbyseparatingthehusbandmenandthe
　　artisansfromtheclassofdefendersoftheState？
　　Tim。Yes。
　　Soc。Andwhenwehadgiventoeachonethatsingleemploymentand
　　particularartwhichwassuitedtohisnature，wespokeofthosewho
　　wereintendedtobeourwarriors，andsaidthattheyweretobe
　　guardiansofthecityagainstattacksfromwithinaswellasfrom
　　without，andtohavenootheremployment；theyweretobemerciful
　　injudgingtheirsubjects，ofwhomtheywerebynaturefriends，but
　　fiercetotheirenemies，whentheycameacrosstheminbattle。
　　Tim。Exactly。
　　Soc。Wesaid，ifIamnotmistaken，thattheguardiansshouldbe
　　giftedwithatemperamentinahighdegreebothpassionateand
　　philosophical；andthatthentheywouldbeastheyoughttobe，gentle
　　totheirfriendsandfiercewiththeirenemies。
　　Tim。Certainly。
　　Soc。Andwhatdidwesayoftheireducation？Weretheynottobe
　　trainedingymnastic，andmusic，andallothersortsofknowledge
　　whichwereproperforthem？
　　Tim。Verytrue。
　　Soc。Andbeingthustrainedtheywerenottoconsidergoldorsilver
　　oranythingelsetobetheirownprivateproperty；theyweretobe
　　likehiredtroops，receivingpayforkeepingguardfromthosewhowere
　　protectedbythem—thepaywastobenomorethanwouldsufficeformen
　　ofsimplelife；andtheyweretospendincommon，andtolivetogether
　　inthecontinualpracticeofvirtue，whichwastobetheirsole
　　pursuit。
　　Tim。Thatwasalsosaid。
　　Soc。Neitherdidweforgetthewomen；ofwhomwedeclared，that
　　theirnaturesshouldbeassimilatedandbroughtintoharmonywith
　　thoseofthemen，andthatcommonpursuitsshouldbeassignedto
　　thembothintimeofwarandintheirordinarylife。
　　Tim。That，again，wasasyousay。
　　Soc。Andwhatabouttheprocreationofchildren？Orrathernotthe
　　proposaltoosingulartobeforgotten？forallwivesandchildrenwere
　　tobeincommon，totheintentthatnooneshouldeverknowhisown
　　child，buttheyweretoimaginethattheywereallonefamily；those
　　whowerewithinasuitablelimitofageweretobebrothersand
　　sisters，thosewhowereofaneldergenerationparentsand
　　grandparents，andthoseofayoungerchildrenandgrandchildren。
　　Tim。Yes，andtheproposaliseasytoremember，asyousay。
　　Soc。Anddoyoualsorememberhow，withaviewofsecuringasfaras
　　wecouldthebestbreed，wesaidthatthechiefmagistrates，male
　　andfemale，shouldcontrivesecretly，bytheuseofcertainlots，so
　　toarrangethenuptialmeeting，thatthebadofeithersexandthe
　　goodofeithersexmightpairwiththeirlike；andtherewastobe
　　noquarrellingonthisaccount，fortheywouldimaginethatthe
　　unionwasamereaccident，andwastobeattributedtothelot？
　　Tim。Iremember。
　　Soc。Andyourememberhowwesaidthatthechildrenofthegood
　　parentsweretobeeducated，andthechildrenofthebadsecretly
　　dispersedamongtheinferiorcitizens；andwhiletheywereallgrowing
　　uptherulersweretobeonthelook—out，andtobringupfrombelow
　　intheirturnthosewhowereworthy，andthoseamongthemselveswho
　　wereunworthyweretotaketheplacesofthosewhocameup？
　　Tim。True。
　　Soc。ThenhaveInowgivenyoualltheheadsofouryesterday’s
　　discussion？Oristhereanythingmore，mydearTimaeus，whichhasbeen
　　omitted？
　　Tim。Nothing，Socrates；itwasjustasyouhavesaid。
　　Soc。Ishouldlike，beforeproceedingfurther，totellyouhowI
　　feelabouttheStatewhichwehavedescribed。Imightcomparemyself
　　toapersonwho，onbeholdingbeautifulanimalseithercreatedby
　　thepainter’sart，or，betterstill，alivebutatrest，isseizedwith
　　adesireofseeingtheminmotionorengagedinsomestruggleor
　　conflicttowhichtheirformsappearsuited；thisismyfeeling
　　abouttheStatewhichwehavebeendescribing。Thereareconflicts
　　whichallcitiesundergo，andIshouldliketohearsomeonetellof
　　ourowncitycarryingonastruggleagainstherneighbours，andhow
　　shewentouttowarinabecomingmanner，andwhenatwarshowedby
　　thegreatnessofheractionsandthemagnanimityofherwordsin
　　dealingwithothercitiesaresultworthyofhertrainingand
　　education。NowI，CritiasandHermocrates，amconsciousthatI
　　myselfshouldneverbeabletocelebratethecityandhercitizens
　　inabefittingmanner，andIamnotsurprisedatmyownincapacity；to
　　methewonderisratherthatthepoetspresentaswellaspastare
　　nobetter—notthatImeantodepreciatethem；buteveryonecansee
　　thattheyareatribeofimitators，andwillimitatebestandmost
　　easilythelifeinwhichtheyhavebeenbroughtup；whilethatwhich
　　isbeyondtherangeofaman’seducationhefindshardtocarryoutin
　　action，andstillharderadequatelytorepresentinlanguage。Iam
　　awarethattheSophistshaveplentyofbravewordsandfair
　　conceits，butIamafraidthatbeingonlywanderersfromonecityto
　　another，andhavingneverhadhabitationsoftheirown，theymay
　　failintheirconceptionofphilosophersandstatesmen，andmaynot
　　knowwhattheydoandsayintimeofwar，whentheyarefightingor
　　holdingparleywiththeirenemies。Andthuspeopleofyourclassare
　　theonlyonesremainingwhoarefittedbynatureandeducationtotake
　　partatoncebothinpoliticsandphilosophy。HereisTimaeus，of
　　LocrisinItaly，acitywhichhasadmirablelaws，andwhoishimself
　　inwealthandranktheequalofanyofhisfellow—citizens；hehas
　　heldthemostimportantandhonourableofficesinhisownstate，
　　and，asIbelieve，hasscaledtheheightsofallphilosophy；and
　　hereisCritias，whomeveryAthenianknowstobenonoviceinthe
　　mattersofwhichwearespeaking；andasto，Hermocrates，Iamassured
　　bymanywitnessesthathisgeniusandeducationqualifyhimtotake
　　partinanyspeculationofthekind。AndthereforeyesterdaywhenI
　　sawthatyouwantedmetodescribetheformationoftheState，I
　　readilyassented，beingverywellaware，that，ifyouonlywould，none
　　werebetterqualifiedtocarrythediscussionfurther，andthatwhen
　　youhadengagedourcityinasuitablewar，youofallmenliving
　　couldbestexhibitherplayingafittingpart。WhenIhadcompletedmy
　　task，Iinreturnimposedthisothertaskuponyou。Youconferred
　　togetherandagreedtoentertainmeto—day，asIhadentertained
　　you，withafeastofdiscourse。HereamIinfestivearray，andnoman
　　canbemorereadyforthepromisedbanquet。
　　Her。Andwetoo，Socrates，asTimaeussays，willnotbewantingin
　　enthusiasm；andthereisnoexcusefornotcomplyingwithyour
　　request。Assoonaswearrivedyesterdayattheguest—chamberof
　　Critias，withwhomwearestaying，orratheronourwaythither，we
　　talkedthematterover，andhetoldusanancienttradition，whichI
　　wish，Critias，thatyouwouldrepeattoSocrates，sothathemay
　　helpustojudgewhetheritwillsatisfyhisrequirementsornot。
　　Crit。Iwill，ifTimaeus，whoisourotherpartner，approves。
　　Tim。Iquiteapprove。
　　Crit。Thenlisten，Socrates，toatalewhich，thoughstrange，is
　　certainlytrue，havingbeenattestedbySolon，whowasthewisestof
　　thesevensages。Hewasarelativeandadearfriendofmy
　　great—grandfather，Dropides，ashehimselfsaysinmanypassagesof
　　hispoems；andhetoldthestorytoCritias，mygrandfather，who
　　rememberedandrepeatedittous。Therewereofold，hesaid，great
　　andmarvellousactionsoftheAtheniancity，whichhavepassedinto
　　oblivionthroughlapseoftimeandthedestructionofmankind，andone
　　inparticular，greaterthanalltherest。Thiswewillnowrehearse。
　　Itwillbeafittingmonumentofourgratitudetoyou，andahymnof
　　praisetrueandworthyofthegoddess，onthisherdayoffestival。
　　Soc。Verygood。Andwhatisthisancientfamousactionofthe
　　Athenians，whichCritiasdeclared，ontheauthorityofSolon，tobe
　　notamerelegend，butanactualfact？
　　Crit。Iwilltellanold—worldstorywhichIheardfromanagedman；
　　forCritias，atthetimeoftellingit，wasashesaid，nearly
　　ninetyyearsofage，andIwasaboutten。Nowthedaywasthatday
　　oftheApaturiawhichiscalledtheRegistrationofYouth，atwhich，
　　accordingtocustom，ourparentsgaveprizesforrecitations，and
　　thepoemsofseveralpoetswererecitedbyusboys，andmanyofus
　　sangthepoemsofSolon，whichatthattimehadnotgoneoutof
　　fashion。Oneofourtribe，eitherbecausehethoughtsoortoplease
　　Critias，saidthatinhisjudgmentSolonwasnotonlythewisestof
　　men，butalsothenoblestofpoets。Theoldman，asIverywell
　　remember，brightenedupathearingthisandsaid，smiling：Yes，
　　Amynander，ifSolonhadonly，likeotherpoets，madepoetrythe
　　businessofhislife，andhadcompletedthetalewhichhebroughtwith
　　himfromEgypt，andhadnotbeencompelled，byreasonofthe
　　factionsandtroubleswhichhefoundstirringinhisowncountry
　　whenhecamehome，toattendtoothermatters，inmyopinionhe
　　wouldhavebeenasfamousasHomerorHesiod，oranypoet。
　　Andwhatwasthetaleabout，Critias？saidAmynander。
　　AboutthegreatestactionwhichtheAthenianseverdid，andwhich
　　oughttohavebeenthemostfamous，but，throughthelapseoftimeand
　　thedestructionoftheactors，ithasnotcomedowntous。
　　Tellus，saidtheother，thewholestory，andhowandfromwhom
　　Solonheardthisveritabletradition。
　　Hereplied：—IntheEgyptianDelta，attheheadofwhichtheriver
　　Niledivides，thereisacertaindistrictwhichiscalledthedistrict
　　ofSais，andthegreatcityofthedistrictisalsocalledSais，and
　　isthecityfromwhichKingAmasiscame。Thecitizenshaveadeityfor
　　theirfoundress；sheiscalledintheEgyptiantongueNeith，andis
　　assertedbythemtobethesamewhomtheHellenescallAthene；they
　　aregreatloversoftheAthenians，andsaythattheyareinsomeway
　　relatedtothem。TothiscitycameSolon，andwasreceivedthere
　　withgreathonour；heaskedthepriestswhoweremostskilfulin
　　suchmatters，aboutantiquity，andmadethediscoverythatneither
　　henoranyotherHelleneknewanythingworthmentioningaboutthe
　　timesofold。Ononeoccasion，wishingtodrawthemontospeakof
　　antiquity，hebegantotellaboutthemostancientthingsinour
　　partoftheworld—aboutPhoroneus，whoiscalled"thefirstman，"
　　andaboutNiobe；andaftertheDeluge，ofthesurvivalofDeucalion
　　andPyrrha；andhetracedthegenealogyoftheirdescendants，and
　　reckoningupthedates，triedtocomputehowmanyyearsagotheevents
　　ofwhichhewasspeakinghappened。Thereupononeofthepriests，who
　　wasofaverygreatage，said：OSolon，Solon，youHellenesare
　　neveranythingbutchildren，andthereisnotanoldmanamongyou。
　　Soloninreturnaskedhimwhathemeant。Imeantosay，hereplied，
　　thatinmindyouareallyoung；thereisnooldopinionhandeddown
　　amongyoubyancienttradition，noranysciencewhichishoarywith
　　age。AndIwilltellyouwhy。Therehavebeen，andwillbeagain，many
　　destructionsofmankindarisingoutofmanycauses；thegreatest
　　havebeenbroughtaboutbytheagenciesoffireandwater，andother
　　lesseronesbyinnumerableothercauses。Thereisastory，which
　　evenyouhavepreserved，thatonceuponatimePaethon，thesonof
　　Helios，havingyokedthesteedsinhisfather’schariot，becausehe
　　wasnotabletodrivetheminthepathofhisfather，burntupall
　　thatwasupontheearth，andwashimselfdestroyedbyathunderbolt。
　　Nowthishastheformofamyth，butreallysignifiesadeclinationof
　　thebodiesmovingintheheavensaroundtheearth，andagreat
　　conflagrationofthingsupontheearth，whichrecursafterlong
　　intervals；atsuchtimesthosewholiveuponthemountainsandin
　　dryandloftyplacesaremoreliabletodestructionthanthosewho
　　dwellbyriversorontheseashore。AndfromthiscalamitytheNile，
　　whoisournever—failingsaviour，deliversandpreservesus。When，
　　ontheotherhand，thegodspurgetheearthwithadelugeofwater，
　　thesurvivorsinyourcountryareherdsmenandshepherdswhodwell
　　onthemountains，butthosewho，likeyou，liveincitiesare
　　carriedbytheriversintothesea。Whereasinthisland，neitherthen
　　noratanyothertime，doesthewatercomedownfromaboveonthe
　　fields，havingalwaysatendencytocomeupfrombelow；forwhich
　　reasonthetraditionspreservedherearethemostancient。
　　Thefactis，thatwherevertheextremityofwinterfrostorof
　　summerdoesnotprevent，mankindexist，sometimesingreater，
　　sometimesinlessernumbers。Andwhateverhappenedeitherinyour
　　countryorinours，orinanyotherregionofwhichweareinformed—if
　　therewereanyactionsnobleorgreatorinanyotherway
　　remarkable，theyhaveallbeenwrittendownbyusofold，andare
　　preservedinourtemples。Whereasjustwhenyouandothernations
　　arebeginningtobeprovidedwithlettersandtheotherrequisites
　　ofcivilizedlife，aftertheusualinterval，thestreamfromheaven，
　　likeapestilence，comespouringdown，andleavesonlythoseofyou
　　whoaredestituteoflettersandeducation；andsoyouhavetobegin
　　alloveragainlikechildren，andknownothingofwhathappenedin
　　ancienttimes，eitheramongusoramongyourselves。Asforthose
　　genealogiesofyourswhichyoujustnowrecountedtous，Solon，they
　　arenobetterthanthetalesofchildren。Inthefirstplaceyou
　　rememberasingledelugeonly，butthereweremanypreviousones；in
　　thenextplace，youdonotknowthatthereformerlydweltinyourland
　　thefairestandnoblestraceofmenwhicheverlived，andthatyouand
　　yourwholecityaredescendedfromasmallseedorremnantofthem
　　whichsurvived。Andthiswasunknowntoyou，because，formany
　　generations，thesurvivorsofthatdestructiondied，leavingno
　　writtenword。Fortherewasatime，Solon，beforethegreatdeluge
　　ofall，whenthecitywhichnowisAthenswasfirstinwarandin
　　everywaythebestgovernedofallcities，issaidtohaveperformed
　　thenoblestdeedsandtohavehadthefairestconstitutionofanyof
　　whichtraditiontells，underthefaceofheaven。
　　Solonmarvelledathiswords，andearnestlyrequestedtheprieststo
　　informhimexactlyandinorderabouttheseformercitizens。Youare
　　welcometohearaboutthem，Solon，saidthepriest，bothforyour
　　ownsakeandforthatofyourcity，andaboveall，forthesakeofthe
　　goddesswhoisthecommonpatronandparentandeducatorofbothour
　　cities。Shefoundedyourcityathousandyearsbeforeours，
　　receivingfromtheEarthandHephaestustheseedofyourrace，and
　　afterwardsshefoundedours，ofwhichtheconstitutionisrecorded
　　inoursacredregisterstobeeightthousandyearsold。Astouching
　　yourcitizensofninethousandyearsago，Iwillbrieflyinformyouof
　　theirlawsandoftheirmostfamousaction；theexactparticularsof
　　thewholewewillhereaftergothroughatourleisureinthesacred
　　registersthemselves。Ifyoucomparetheseverylawswithoursyou
　　willfindthatmanyofoursarethecounterpartofyoursasthey
　　wereintheoldentime。Inthefirstplace，thereisthecasteof
　　priests，whichisseparatedfromalltheothers；next，therearethe
　　artificers，whoplytheirseveralcraftsbythemselvesanddonot
　　intermix；andalsothereistheclassofshepherdsandofhunters，
　　aswellasthatofhusbandmen；andyouwillobserve，too，thatthe
　　warriorsinEgyptaredistinctfromalltheotherclasses，andare
　　commandedbythelawtodevotethemselvessolelytomilitarypursuits；
　　moreover，theweaponswhichtheycarryareshieldsandspears，astyle
　　ofequipmentwhichthegoddesstaughtofAsiaticsfirsttous，asin
　　yourpartoftheworldfirsttoyou。Thenastowisdom，doyouobserve
　　howourlawfromtheveryfirstmadeastudyofthewholeorderof
　　things，extendingeventoprophecyandmedicinewhichgiveshealth，
　　outofthesedivineelementsderivingwhatwasneedfulforhumanlife，
　　andaddingeverysortofknowledgewhichwasakintothem。Allthis
　　orderandarrangementthegoddessfirstimpartedtoyouwhen
　　establishingyourcity；andshechosethespotofearthinwhichyou
　　wereborn，becauseshesawthatthehappytemperamentoftheseasons
　　inthatlandwouldproducethewisestofmen。Whereforethegoddess，
　　whowasaloverbothofwarandofwisdom，selectedandfirstofall
　　settledthatspotwhichwasthemostlikelytoproducemenlikest
　　herself。Andthereyoudwelt，havingsuchlawsastheseandstill
　　betterones，andexcelledallmankindinallvirtue，asbecamethe
　　childrenanddisciplesofthegods。
　　Manygreatandwonderfuldeedsarerecordedofyourstateinour
　　histories。Butoneofthemexceedsalltherestingreatnessand
　　valour。Forthesehistoriestellofamightypowerwhichunprovoked
　　madeanexpeditionagainstthewholeofEuropeandAsia，andto
　　whichyourcityputanend。Thispowercameforthoutofthe
　　AtlanticOcean，forinthosedaystheAtlanticwasnavigable；and
　　therewasanislandsituatedinfrontofthestraitswhichareby
　　youcalledthePillarsofHeracles；theislandwaslargerthanLibya
　　andAsiaputtogether，andwasthewaytootherislands，andfrom
　　theseyoumightpasstothewholeoftheoppositecontinentwhich
　　surroundedthetrueocean；forthisseawhichiswithintheStraitsof
　　Heraclesisonlyaharbour，havinganarrowentrance，butthatother
　　isarealsea，andthesurroundinglandmaybemosttrulycalleda
　　boundlesscontinent。NowinthisislandofAtlantistherewasa
　　greatandwonderfulempirewhichhadruleoverthewholeislandand
　　severalothers，andoverpartsofthecontinent，and，furthermore，the
　　menofAtlantishadsubjectedthepartsofLibyawithinthecolumnsof
　　HeraclesasfarasEgypt，andofEuropeasfarasTyrrhenia。Thisvast
　　power，gatheredintoone，endeavouredtosubdueatablowour
　　countryandyoursandthewholeoftheregionwithinthestraits；
　　andthen，Solon，yourcountryshoneforth，intheexcellenceofher
　　virtueandstrength，amongallmankind。Shewaspre—eminentincourage
　　andmilitaryskill，andwastheleaderoftheHellenes。Andwhenthe
　　restfellofffromher，beingcompelledtostandalone，afterhaving
　　undergonetheveryextremityofdanger，shedefeatedandtriumphed
　　overtheinvaders，andpreservedfromslaverythosewhowerenotyet
　　subjugated，andgenerouslyliberatedalltherestofuswhodwell
　　withinthepillars。Butafterwardsthereoccurredviolent
　　earthquakesandfloods；andinasingledayandnightofmisfortune
　　allyourwarlikemeninabodysankintotheearth，andtheisland
　　ofAtlantisinlikemannerdisappearedinthedepthsofthesea。For
　　whichreasontheseainthosepartsisimpassableandimpenetrable，
　　becausethereisashoalofmudintheway；andthiswascausedbythe
　　subsidenceoftheisland。
　　Ihavetoldyoubriefly，Socrates，whattheagedCritiasheard
　　fromSolonandrelatedtous。Andwhenyouwerespeakingyesterday
　　aboutyourcityandcitizens，thetalewhichIhavejustbeen
　　repeatingtoyoucameintomymind，andIremarkedwithastonishment
　　how，bysomemysteriouscoincidence，youagreedinalmostevery
　　particularwiththenarrativeofSolon；butIdidnotliketospeakat
　　themoment。Foralongtimehadelapsed，andIhadforgottentoomuch；
　　IthoughtthatImustfirstofallrunoverthenarrativeinmyown
　　mind，andthenIwouldspeak。AndsoIreadilyassentedtoyour
　　requestyesterday，consideringthatinallsuchcasesthechief
　　difficultyistofindatalesuitabletoourpurpose，andthatwith
　　suchataleweshouldbefairlywellprovided。
　　Andtherefore，asHermocrateshastoldyou，onmywayhomeyesterday
　　IatoncecommunicatedthetaletomycompanionsasIrememberedit；
　　andafterIleftthem，duringthenightbythinkingIrecoverednearly
　　thewholeit。Truly，asisoftensaid，thelessonsofourchildhood
　　makewonderfulimpressiononourmemories；forIamnotsurethatI
　　couldrememberallthediscourseofyesterday，butIshouldbemuch
　　surprisedifIforgotanyofthesethingswhichIhaveheardverylong
　　ago。Ilistenedatthetimewithchildlikeinteresttotheoldman’s
　　narrative；hewasveryreadytoteachme，andIaskedhimagainand
　　againtorepeathiswords，sothatlikeanindeliblepicturetheywere
　　brandedintomymind。Assoonasthedaybroke，Irehearsedthemashe
　　spokethemtomycompanions，thatthey，aswellasmyself，might
　　havesomethingtosay。Andnow，Socrates，tomakeanendmypreface，I
　　amreadytotellyouthewholetale。Iwillgiveyounotonlythe
　　generalheads，buttheparticulars，astheyweretoldtome。The
　　cityandcitizens，whichyouyesterdaydescribedtousinfiction，
　　wewillnowtransfertotheworldofreality。Itshallbethe
　　ancientcityofAthens，andwewillsupposethatthecitizenswhomyou
　　imagined，wereourveritableancestors，ofwhomthepriestspoke；they
　　willperfectlyharmonise，andtherewillbenoinconsistencyinsaying
　　thatthecitizensofyourrepublicaretheseancientAthenians。Letus
　　dividethesubjectamongus，andallendeavouraccordingtoour
　　abilitygracefullytoexecutethetaskwhichyouhaveimposeduponus。
　　Considerthen，Socrates，ifthisnarrativeissuitedtothepurpose，
　　orwhetherweshouldseekforsomeotherinstead。
　　Soc。Andwhatother，Critias，canwefindthatwillbebetterthan
　　this，whichisnaturalandsuitabletothefestivalofthegoddess，
　　andhastheverygreatadvantageofbeingafactandnotafiction？
　　Howorwhereshallwefindanotherifweabandonthis？Wecannot，
　　andthereforeyoumusttellthetale，andgoodlucktoyou；andIin
　　returnformyyesterday’sdiscoursewillnowrestandbealistener。
　　Crit。Letmeproceedtoexplaintoyou，Socrates，theorderinwhich
　　wehavearrangedourentertainment。Ourintentionis，thatTimaeus，
　　whoisthemostofanastronomeramongstus，andhasmadethenature
　　oftheuniversehisspecialstudy，shouldspeakfirst，beginning
　　withthegenerationoftheworldandgoingdowntothecreationof
　　man；next，Iamtoreceivethemenwhomhehascreatedofwhomsome
　　willhaveprofitedbytheexcellenteducationwhichyouhavegiven
　　them；andthen，inaccordancewiththetaleofSolon，andequallywith
　　hislaw，wewillbringthemintocourtandmakethemcitizens，asif
　　theywerethoseveryAthenianswhomthesacredEgyptianrecordhas
　　recoveredfromoblivion，andthenceforwardwewillspeakofthemas
　　Atheniansandfellow—citizens。
　　Soc。IseethatIshallreceiveinmyturnaperfectandsplendid
　　feastofreason。Andnow，Timaeus，you，Isuppose，shouldspeak
　　next，afterdulycallingupontheGods。
　　Tim。Allmen，Socrates，whohaveanydegreeofrightfeeling，atthe
　　beginningofeveryenterprise，whethersmallorgreat，alwayscall
　　uponGod。Andwe，too，whoaregoingtodiscourseofthenatureofthe
　　universe，howcreatedorhowexistingwithoutcreation，ifwebenot
　　altogetheroutofourwits，mustinvoketheaidofGodsand
　　Goddessesandpraythatourwordsmaybeacceptabletothemand
　　consistentwiththemselves。Letthis，then，beourinvocationofthe
　　Gods，towhichIaddanexhortationofmyselftospeakinsuch
　　manneraswillbemostintelligibletoyou，andwillmostaccord
　　withmyownintent。
　　Firstthen，inmyjudgment，wemustmakeadistinctionandask，What
　　isthatwhichalwaysisandhasnobecoming；andwhatisthatwhichis
　　alwaysbecomingandneveris？Thatwhichisapprehendedby
　　intelligenceandreasonisalwaysinthesamestate；butthatwhichis
　　conceivedbyopinionwiththehelpofsensationandwithoutreason，is
　　alwaysinaprocessofbecomingandperishingandneverreallyis。Now
　　everythingthatbecomesoriscreatedmustofnecessitybecreated
　　bysomecause，forwithoutacausenothingcanbecreated。Theworkof
　　thecreator，wheneverhelookstotheunchangeableandfashionsthe
　　formandnatureofhisworkafteranunchangeablepattern，must
　　necessarilybemadefairandperfect；butwhenhelookstothecreated
　　only，andusesacreatedpattern，itisnotfairorperfect。Wasthe
　　heaventhenortheworld，whethercalledbythisorbyanyother
　　moreappropriatename—assumingthename，Iamaskingaquestion
　　whichhastobeaskedatthebeginningofanenquiryabout
　　anything—wastheworld，Isay，alwaysinexistenceandwithout
　　beginning？orcreated，andhaditabeginning？Created，Ireply，being
　　visibleandtangibleandhavingabody，andthereforesensible；and
　　allsensiblethingsareapprehendedbyopinionandsenseandarein
　　aprocessofcreationandcreated。Nowthatwhichiscreatedmust，
　　asweaffirm，ofnecessitybecreatedbyacause。Butthefatherand
　　makerofallthisuniverseispastfindingout；andevenifwefound
　　him，totellofhimtoallmenwouldbeimpossible。Andthereisstill
　　aquestiontobeaskedabouthim：Whichofthepatternshadthe
　　artificerinviewwhenhemadetheworld—thepatternofthe
　　unchangeable，orofthatwhichiscreated？Iftheworldbeindeedfair
　　andtheartificergood，itismanifestthathemusthavelookedto
　　thatwhichiseternal；butifwhatcannotbesaidwithoutblasphemyis
　　true，thentothecreatedpattern。Everyonewillseethathemust
　　havelookedto，theeternal；fortheworldisthefairestofcreations
　　andheisthebestofcauses。Andhavingbeencreatedinthisway，the
　　worldhasbeenframedinthelikenessofthatwhichisapprehended
　　byreasonandmindandisunchangeable，andmustthereforeof
　　necessity，ifthisisadmitted，beacopyofsomething。Nowitis
　　all—importantthatthebeginningofeverythingshouldbeaccording
　　tonature。Andinspeakingofthecopyandtheoriginalwemay
　　assumethatwordsareakintothematterwhichtheydescribe；when
　　theyrelatetothelastingandpermanentandintelligible，they
　　oughttobelastingandunalterable，and，asfarastheirnature
　　allows，irrefutableandimmovable—nothingless。Butwhenthey
　　expressonlythecopyorlikenessandnottheeternalthings
　　themselves，theyneedonlybelikelyandanalogoustothereal
　　words。Asbeingistobecoming，soistruthtobelief。Ifthen，
　　Socrates，amidthemanyopinionsaboutthegodsandthegeneration
　　oftheuniverse，wearenotabletogivenotionswhichare
　　altogetherandineveryrespectexactandconsistentwithoneanother，
　　donotbesurprised。Enough，ifweadduceprobabilitiesaslikelyas
　　anyothers；forwemustrememberthatIwhoamthespeaker，andyou
　　whoarethejudges，areonlymortalmen，andweoughttoacceptthe
　　talewhichisprobableandenquirenofurther。
　　Soc。Excellent，Timaeus；andwewilldopreciselyasyoubidus。The
　　preludeischarming，andisalreadyacceptedbyus—maywebegofyou
　　toproceedtothestrain？
　　Tim。Letmetellyouthenwhythecreatormadethisworldof
　　generation。Hewasgood，andthegoodcanneverhaveanyjealousyof
　　anything。Andbeingfreefromjealousy，hedesiredthatallthings
　　shouldbeaslikehimselfastheycouldbe。Thisisinthetruest
　　sensetheoriginofcreationandoftheworld，asweshalldowell
　　inbelievingonthetestimonyofwisemen：Goddesiredthatallthings
　　shouldbegoodandnothingbad，sofarasthiswasattainable。
　　Whereforealsofindingthewholevisiblespherenotatrest，but
　　movinginanirregularanddisorderlyfashion，outofdisorderhe
　　broughtorder，consideringthatthiswasineverywaybetterthan
　　theother。Nowthedeedsofthebestcouldneverbeorhavebeenother
　　thanthefairest；andthecreator，reflectingonthethingswhich
　　arebynaturevisible，foundthatnounintelligentcreaturetakenasa
　　wholewasfairerthantheintelligenttakenasawhole；andthat
　　intelligencecouldnotbepresentinanythingwhichwasdevoidof
　　soul。Forwhichreason，whenhewasframingtheuniverse，heput
　　intelligenceinsoul，andsoulinbody，thathemightbethecreator
　　ofaworkwhichwasbynaturefairestandbest。Wherefore，usingthe
　　languageofprobability，wemaysaythattheworldbecamealiving
　　creaturetrulyendowedwithsoulandintelligencebytheprovidenceof
　　God。
　　Thisbeingsupposed，letusproceedtothenextstage：Inthe
　　likenessofwhatanimaldidtheCreatormaketheworld？Itwouldbean
　　unworthythingtolikenittoanynaturewhichexistsasapart
　　only；fornothingcanbebeautifulwhichislikeanyimperfect
　　thing；butletussupposetheworldtobetheveryimageofthatwhole
　　ofwhichallotheranimalsbothindividuallyandintheirtribesare
　　portions。Fortheoriginaloftheuniversecontainsinitselfall
　　intelligiblebeings，justasthisworldcomprehendsusandallother
　　visiblecreatures。FortheDeity，intendingtomakethisworldlike
　　thefairestandmostperfectofintelligiblebeings，framedone
　　visibleanimalcomprehendingwithinitselfallotheranimalsofa
　　kindrednature。Arewerightinsayingthatthereisoneworld，or
　　thattheyaremanyandinfinite？Theremustbeoneonly，ifthe
　　createdcopyistoaccordwiththeoriginal。Forthatwhichincludes
　　allotherintelligiblecreaturescannothaveasecondorcompanion；in
　　thatcasetherewouldbeneedofanotherlivingbeingwhichwould
　　includeboth，andofwhichtheywouldbeparts，andthelikenesswould
　　bemoretrulysaidtoresemblenotthem，butthatotherwhichincluded
　　them。Inorderthenthattheworldmightbesolitary，liketheperfect
　　animal，thecreatormadenottwoworldsoraninfinitenumberofthem；
　　butthereisandeverwillbeoneonly—begottenandcreatedheaven。
　　Nowthatwhichiscreatedisofnecessitycorporeal，andalso
　　visibleandtangible。Andnothingisvisiblewherethereisnofire，
　　ortangiblewhichhasnosolidity，andnothingissolidwithoutearth。
　　WhereforealsoGodinthebeginningofcreationmadethebodyofthe
　　universetoconsistoffireandearth。Buttwothingscannotbe
　　rightlyputtogetherwithoutathird；theremustbesomebondofunion
　　betweenthem。Andthefairestbondisthatwhichmakesthemost
　　completefusionofitselfandthethingswhichitcombines；and
　　proportionisbestadaptedtoeffectsuchaunion。Forwheneverinany
　　threenumbers，whethercubeorsquare，thereisamean，whichisto
　　thelasttermwhatthefirsttermistoit；andagain，whenthemean
　　istothefirsttermasthelasttermistothemean—thenthemean
　　becomingfirstandlast，andthefirstandlastbothbecomingmeans，
　　theywillallofthemofnecessitycometobethesame，andhaving
　　becomethesamewithoneanotherwillbeallone。Iftheuniversal
　　framehadbeencreatedasurfaceonlyandhavingnodepth，asingle
　　meanwouldhavesufficedtobindtogetheritselfandtheother
　　terms；butnow，astheworldmustbesolid，andsolidbodiesare
　　alwayscompactednotbyonemeanbutbytwo，Godplacedwaterand
　　airinthemeanbetweenfireandearth，andmadethemtohavethesame
　　proportionsofaraswaspossible（asfireistoairsoisairto
　　water，andasairistowatersoiswatertoearth）；andthushebound
　　andputtogetheravisibleandtangibleheaven。Andforthesereasons，
　　andoutofsuchelementswhichareinnumberfour，thebodyofthe
　　worldwascreated，anditwasharmonisedbyproportion，and
　　thereforehasthespiritoffriendship；andhavingbeenreconciled
　　toitself，itwasindissolublebythehandofanyotherthanthe
　　framer。
　　Nowthecreationtookupthewholeofeachofthefourelements；for
　　theCreatorcompoundedtheworldoutofallthefireandallthewater
　　andalltheairandalltheearth，leavingnopartofanyofthem
　　noranypowerofthemoutside。Hisintentionwas，inthefirst
　　place，thattheanimalshouldbeasfaraspossibleaperfectwhole
　　andofperfectparts：secondly，thatitshouldbeone，leavingno
　　remnantsoutofwhichanothersuchworldmightbecreated：andalso
　　thatitshouldbefreefromoldageandunaffectedbydisease。
　　Consideringthatifheatandcoldandotherpowerfulforceswhich
　　unitebodiessurroundandattackthemfromwithoutwhentheyare
　　unprepared，theydecomposethem，andbybringingdiseasesandold
　　ageuponthem，makethemwasteaway—forthiscauseandonthese
　　groundshemadetheworldonewhole，havingeverypartentire，and
　　beingthereforeperfectandnotliabletooldageanddisease。And
　　hegavetotheworldthefigurewhichwassuitableandalsonatural。
　　Nowtotheanimalwhichwastocomprehendallanimals，thatfigurewas
　　suitablewhichcomprehendswithinitselfallotherfigures。
　　Whereforehemadetheworldintheformofaglobe，roundasfroma
　　lathe，havingitsextremesineverydirectionequidistantfromthe
　　centre，themostperfectandthemostlikeitselfofallfigures；
　　forheconsideredthatthelikeisinfinitelyfairerthanthe
　　unlike。Thishefinishedoff，makingthesurfacesmoothallaroundfor
　　manyreasons；inthefirstplace，becausethelivingbeinghadnoneed
　　ofeyeswhentherewasnothingremainingoutsidehimtobeseen；nor
　　ofearswhentherewasnothingtobeheard；andtherewasno
　　surroundingatmospheretobebreathed；norwouldtherehavebeenany
　　useoforgansbythehelpofwhichhemightreceivehisfoodorget
　　ridofwhathehadalreadydigested，sincetherewasnothingwhich
　　wentfromhimorcameintohim：fortherewasnothingbesidehim。Of
　　designhewascreatedthus，hisownwasteprovidinghisownfood，
　　andallthathedidorsufferedtakingplaceinandbyhimself。For
　　theCreatorconceivedthatabeingwhichwasself—sufficientwould
　　befarmoreexcellentthanonewhichlackedanything；and，ashehad
　　noneedtotakeanythingordefendhimselfagainstanyone，the
　　Creatordidnotthinkitnecessarytobestowuponhimhands：norhad
　　heanyneedoffeet，norofthewholeapparatusofwalking；butthe
　　movementsuitedtohissphericalformwasassignedtohim，beingof
　　alltheseventhatwhichismostappropriatetomindandintelligence；
　　andhewasmadetomoveinthesamemannerandonthesamespot，
　　withinhisownlimitsrevolvinginacircle。Alltheothersixmotions
　　weretakenawayfromhim，andhewasmadenottopartakeoftheir
　　deviations。Andasthiscircularmovementrequirednofeet，the
　　universewascreatedwithoutlegsandwithoutfeet。
　　SuchwasthewholeplanoftheeternalGodaboutthegodthatwasto
　　be，towhomforthisreasonhegaveabody，smoothandeven，having
　　asurfaceineverydirectionequidistantfromthecentre，abody
　　entireandperfect，andformedoutofperfectbodies。Andinthe
　　centreheputthesoul，whichhediffusedthroughoutthebody，
　　makingitalsotobetheexteriorenvironmentofit；andhemadethe
　　universeacirclemovinginacircle，oneandsolitary，yetby
　　reasonofitsexcellenceabletoconversewithitself，andneeding
　　nootherfriendshiporacquaintance。Havingthesepurposesinview
　　hecreatedtheworldablessedgod。
　　NowGoddidnotmakethesoulafterthebody，althoughweare
　　speakingoftheminthisorder；forhavingbroughtthemtogetherhe
　　wouldneverhaveallowedthattheeldershouldberuledbythe
　　younger；butthisisarandommannerofspeakingwhichwehave，
　　becausesomehowweourselvestooareverymuchunderthedominionof
　　chance。Whereashemadethesoulinoriginandexcellencepriortoand
　　olderthanthebody，tobetherulerandmistress，ofwhomthebody
　　wastobethesubject。Andhemadeheroutofthefollowingelements
　　andonthiswise：Outoftheindivisibleandunchangeable，andalso
　　outofthatwhichisdivisibleandhastodowithmaterialbodies，
　　hecompoundedathirdandintermediatekindofessence，partakingof
　　thenatureofthesameandoftheother，andthiscompoundheplaced
　　accordinglyinameanbetweentheindivisible，andthedivisibleand
　　material。Hetookthethreeelementsofthesame，theother，andthe
　　essence，andmingledthemintooneform，compressingbyforcethe
　　reluctantandunsociablenatureoftheotherintothesame。Whenhe
　　hadmingledthemwiththeessenceandoutofthreemadeone，he
　　againdividedthiswholeintoasmanyportionsaswasfitting，each
　　portionbeingacompoundofthesame，theother，andtheessence。
　　Andheproceededtodivideafterthismanner：—Firstofall，hetook
　　awayonepartofthewhole[1]，andthenheseparatedasecondpart
　　whichwasdoublethefirst[2]，andthenhetookawayathirdpart
　　whichwashalfasmuchagainasthesecondandthreetimesasmuch
　　asthefirst[3]，andthenhetookafourthpartwhichwastwiceas
　　muchasthesecond[4]，andafifthpartwhichwasthreetimesthe
　　third[9]，andasixthpartwhichwaseighttimesthefirst[8]，anda
　　seventhpartwhichwastwenty—seventimesthefirst[27]。Afterthis
　　hefilledupthedoubleintervals[i。e。between1，2，4，8]andthe
　　triple[i。e。between1，3，9，27]cuttingoffyetotherportions
　　fromthemixtureandplacingthemintheintervals，sothatineach
　　intervalthereweretwokindsofmeans，theoneexceedingandexceeded
　　byequalpartsofitsextremes[asforexample1，4/3，2，inwhichthe
　　mean4/3isone—thirdof1morethan1，andone—thirdof2lessthan
　　2]，theotherbeingthatkindofmeanwhichexceedsandisexceededby
　　anequalnumber。Wheretherewereintervalsof3/2andof4/3andof
　　9/8，madebytheconnectingtermsintheformerintervals，hefilled
　　upalltheintervalsof4/3withtheintervalof9/8，leavinga
　　fractionover；andtheintervalwhichthisfractionexpressedwasin
　　theratioof256to243。Andthusthewholemixtureoutofwhichhe
　　cuttheseportionswasallexhaustedbyhim。Thisentirecompoundhe
　　dividedlengthwaysintotwoparts，whichhejoinedtooneanotherat
　　thecentreliketheletterX，andbentthemintoacircularform，
　　connectingthemwiththemselvesandeachotheratthepointopposite
　　totheiroriginalmeeting—point；and，comprehendingthemina
　　uniformrevolutionuponthesameaxis，hemadetheonetheouterand
　　theothertheinnercircle。Nowthemotionoftheoutercirclehe
　　calledthemotionofthesame，andthemotionoftheinnercircle
　　themotionoftheotherordiverse。Themotionofthesamehe
　　carriedroundbythesidetotheright，andthemotionofthe
　　diversediagonallytotheleft。Andhegavedominiontothemotion
　　ofthesameandlike，forthatheleftsingleandundivided；butthe
　　innermotionhedividedinsixplacesandmadesevenunequalcircles
　　havingtheirintervalsinratiosoftwo—andthree，threeofeach，
　　andbadetheorbitsproceedinadirectionoppositetooneanother；
　　andthree[Sun，Mercury，Venus]hemadetomovewithequal
　　swiftness，andtheremainingfour[Moon，Saturn，Mars，Jupiter]to
　　movewithunequalswiftnesstothethreeandtooneanother，butin
　　dueproportion。
　　NowwhentheCreatorhadframedthesoulaccordingtohiswill，he
　　formedwithinherthecorporealuniverse，andbroughtthetwo
　　together，andunitedthemcentretocentre。Thesoul，interfused
　　everywherefromthecentretothecircumferenceofheaven，ofwhich
　　alsosheistheexternalenvelopment，herselfturninginherself，
　　beganadivinebeginningofneverceasingandrationallifeenduring
　　throughoutalltime。Thebodyofheavenisvisible，butthesoulis
　　invisible，andpartakesofreasonandharmony，andbeingmadebythe
　　bestofintellectualandeverlastingnatures，isthebestofthings
　　created。Andbecausesheiscomposedofthesameandoftheother
　　andoftheessence，thesethree，andisdividedandunitedindue
　　proportion，andinherrevolutionsreturnsuponherself，thesoul，
　　whentouchinganythingwhichhasessence，whetherdispersedinparts
　　orundivided，isstirredthroughallherpowers，todeclarethe
　　samenessordifferenceofthatthingandsomeother；andtowhat
　　individualsarerelated，andbywhataffected，andinwhatwayandhow
　　andwhen，bothintheworldofgenerationandintheworldof
　　immutablebeing。Andwhenreason，whichworkswithequaltruth，
　　whethershebeinthecircleofthediverseorofthesame—in
　　voicelesssilenceholdingheronwardcourseinthesphereofthe
　　self—moved—whenreason，Isay，ishoveringaroundthesensibleworld
　　andwhenthecircleofthediversealsomovingtrulyimpartsthe
　　intimationsofsensetothewholesoul，thenariseopinionsand
　　beliefssureandcertain。Butwhenreasonisconcernedwiththe
　　rational，andthecircleofthesamemovingsmoothlydeclaresit，then
　　intelligenceandknowledgearenecessarilyperfected。Andifanyone
　　affirmsthatinwhichthesetwoarefoundtobeotherthanthesoul，
　　hewillsaytheveryoppositeofthetruth。
　　Whenthefathercreatorsawthecreaturewhichhehadmademoving
　　andliving，thecreatedimageoftheeternalgods，herejoiced，andin
　　hisjoydeterminedtomakethecopystillmoreliketheoriginal；
　　andasthiswaseternal，hesoughttomaketheuniverseeternal，so
　　farasmightbe。Nowthenatureoftheidealbeingwaseverlasting，
　　buttobestowthisattributeinitsfulnessuponacreaturewas
　　impossible。Whereforeheresolvedtohaveamovingimageof
　　eternity，andwhenhesetinordertheheaven，hemadethisimage
　　eternalbutmovingaccordingtonumber，whileeternityitselfrestsin
　　unity；andthisimagewecalltime。Fortherewerenodaysand
　　nightsandmonthsandyearsbeforetheheavenwascreated，butwhenhe
　　constructedtheheavenhecreatedthemalso。Theyareallpartsof
　　time，andthepastandfuturearecreatedspeciesoftime，whichwe
　　unconsciouslybutwronglytransfertotheeternalessence；forwe
　　saythathe"was，"he"is，"he"willbe，"butthetruthisthat"is"
　　aloneisproperlyattributedtohim，andthat"was"and"willbe"only
　　tobespokenofbecomingintime，fortheyaremotions，butthatwhich
　　isimmovablythesamecannotbecomeolderoryoungerbytime，norever
　　didorhasbecome，orhereafterwillbe，olderoryounger，noris
　　subjectatalltoanyofthosestateswhichaffectmovingandsensible
　　thingsandofwhichgenerationisthecause。Thesearetheformsof
　　time，whichimitateseternityandrevolvesaccordingtoalawof
　　number。Moreover，whenwesaythatwhathasbecomeisbecomeand
　　whatbecomesisbecoming，andthatwhatwillbecomeisabouttobecome
　　andthatthenon—existentisnon—existent—alltheseareinaccurate
　　modesofexpression。Butperhapsthiswholesubjectwillbemore
　　suitablydiscussedonsomeotheroccasion。