Ocellus Lucanus on the nature of the universe : Taurus, the Platonic philosopher, on the eternity of the world. Julius Firmicus Maternus of the thema mundi. Select theorems on the perpetuity of time, by Proclus.

Step into the world of early Greek thought, where Ocellus Lucanus unfolds a concise yet profound meditation on the universe’s origin and order. His treatise weaves together observations of the heavens with a philosophical framework that sees the cosmos as an immutable whole, inviting listeners to hear the same ideas that once fascinated Plato and Aristotle.

The volume continues with the Platonic philosopher Taurus, who defends the eternity of the world against fleeting notions of creation, and with Julius Firmicus Maternus, whose thema mundi maps the positions of the stars at the dawn of successive ages. Closing the collection, Proclus offers a series of theorems on the perpetuity of time, presenting abstract arguments that still echo in modern debates about continuity and change.

Presented in a clear translation, the essays retain the rhythm of their original debates while remaining accessible to contemporary ears. Listeners will discover how ancient scholars grappled with questions of existence, time, and the celestial order—issues that remain as intriguing today as they were centuries ago.