From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordDyas means dyad or two.
- In StobaeusModeratus’ report distinguishes later thinkers who introduced monad and dyad as principles from the Pythagorean account through successive even and odd terms.
- In this edition“Dyad” preserves the technical term; “indefinite” is retained where specified.
- A place to beginMonad and dyad are set within a historical distinction.
- English renderings
- dyad; twofold principle
Meaning
Dyas means dyad or two. A technical account can use it for a principle of duality rather than merely the second item in a count.
Use in the book
Moderatus’ report distinguishes later thinkers who introduced monad and dyad as principles from the Pythagorean account through successive even and odd terms. The report under Pythagoras’ name, by contrast, places the monad and indefinite dyad among principles and aligns them with productive form-giving and receptive material roles. A numerical naming scheme calls the dyad Artemis. These reports preserve different classifications and symbolic associations.
Places to read
- Arith.9Monad and dyad are set within a historical distinction.
- I.10.12.10The indefinite dyad has a receptive and material role.
- Arith.10aThe dyad receives a divine name in a numerical scheme.
Translation in this edition
“Dyad” preserves the technical term; “indefinite” is retained where specified. The divergent reports are not harmonized into one account of Pythagoras.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 21–22, 124–125.