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Ancilla to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers, by Kathleen Freeman, [1948], at sacred-texts.com


13. ANAXIMENES OF MILÊTUS

Anaximenes Of Milêtus was in his prime about 546 B.C.

He wrote one book, in 'simple and unextravagant Ionic'. One whole sentence only has survived.

1. (Paraphrase containing the word) Loose. (= rare).

2. As our soul, being air, holds us together, so do breath and air surround the whole universe.

2a. (The sun is broad) like a leaf.

(Spurious)

3. Air is near to the incorporeal; and since we come into being by an efflux from this (air), it is bound to be both non-limited and rich so that it never fails.


Next: 14. Pythagoras of Samos