The Timaeus of Plato

4i A] TIMAI02. 137
very movements were labour lost. So let thus much suffice on
this head and let our exposition concerning the nature of the
gods visible and created be brought to an end.
XIII. But concerning the other divinities, to declare and
determine their generation were a task too mighty for us :
therefore we must trust in those who have revealed it heretofore,
seeing that they are offspring, as they said, of gods, and
without doubt know their own forefathers. We cannot then
mistrust the children of gods, though they speak without probable
or inevitable demonstrations ;
but since they profess to
announce what pertains to their own kindred, we must conform
to usage and believe them. Let us then accept on their word
this account of the generation of these gods. Of Earth and
Heaven were born children, Okeanos and Tethys ;
of these
Phorkys and Kronos and Rhea and all their brethren : and of
Kronos and Rhea, Zeus and Hera and all whom we know to be
called their brothers ;
and they in their turn had children after
them.
Now when all the gods had come to birth, both those who
revolve before our eyes and those who reveal themselves in so far
as they will, he who begat this universe spake to them these words:
Gods of gods, whose creator am I and father of works, which
surety for their endurance than the vital that of Hesiod. For the construction
bonds wherewith their being was bound compare Phaedrus 272 E TTO.VTUS \4yovra
together. But the universe was not yet TO 5?) elxos diuKrtov : the idiom is common
complete : three kinds of creatures must enough.
yet be born, which are mortal. Now if 16. ocrou re TrtpwroXovo-i avpo>s]
the Artificer created these himself, they Those who 'revolve visibly' are of course
must needs be immortal, since he could Plato's own gods, the stars of heaven;
not will the dissolution of his own work ; the others are the deities of popular
they must therefore derive their birth belief, who elvoi