From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Fixed stars
ἀπλανής
aplanēsAplanēs means non-wandering and describes the fixed stars or their sphere in contrast with the planets.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAplanēs means non-wandering and describes the fixed stars or their sphere in contrast with the planets.
- In StobaeusAsclepius asks how the sphere of fixed stars can move the wandering spheres if motion requires something stationary.
- In this edition“Fixed stars” is conventional, with the relational sense of fixed made explicit.
- A place to beginThe fixed-star sphere raises a difficulty for the dialogue’s account of motion.
- English renderings
- fixed; non-wandering; fixed stars
Meaning
Aplanēs means non-wandering and describes the fixed stars or their sphere in contrast with the planets.
Use in the book
Asclepius asks how the sphere of fixed stars can move the wandering spheres if motion requires something stationary. The question depends on the fixed-star sphere itself having motion. “Fixed” concerns the stars’ mutual arrangement and their contrast with planetary wandering; it does not make their sphere motionless.
Places to read
- I.19.2.1The fixed-star sphere raises a difficulty for the dialogue’s account of motion.
Translation in this edition
“Fixed stars” is conventional, with the relational sense of fixed made explicit.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 163. The speaker labels are supplied in the edition from the separate Hermetic tradition.
From the book
Empedocles’ The Testimonia, Volume II
Empedocles of Acragas · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Fixed stars
ἀπλανεῖς ἀστέρας (aplaneis asteras); συνδεδέσθαι (syndedesthai); κρυστάλλωι (krystallōi)
Ἀπλανεῖς means unwandering or fixed, qualifying the stars in contrast to the planets.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordἈπλανεῖς means unwandering or fixed, qualifying the stars in contrast to the planets.
- In this workAëtius at A54 places the fixed stars bound fast to the crystal while leaving the planets free.
- In this editionThe word “fixed” must be read against the planets, not as a denial that the whole heavenly arrangement is carried around.
- A place to readDistinguishes the fixed stars by their binding to the crystal.
Meaning
Ἀπλανεῖς means unwandering or fixed, qualifying the stars in contrast to the planets. The perfect infinitive of binding describes their attachment to the crystal. “Fixed” refers to that celestial distinction, not to absolute absence of every kind of cosmic motion.
Use in the book
Aëtius at A54 places the fixed stars bound fast to the crystal while leaving the planets free. The crystalline heaven of A51 supplies the natural local comparison, but A54 does not independently restate its material, method of formation or geometry. The binding language specifies a structural difference between the two classes of lights.
This notice should also remain distinct from A53’s account of stars as fiery stuff squeezed from air. A material explanation and an attachment explanation answer different questions. Their combination may help reconstruct a celestial model, yet the printed lines do not explain exactly how expelled fire becomes fixed to the crystalline structure.
The entry preserves an otherwise easily overlooked cosmological distinction without importing modern orbital mechanics or identifying each ancient light with a modern astronomical category beyond the contrast explicitly stated.
Places to read
- A 54 (testimony)Aëtius II 13,11 (D. 342). Distinguishes the fixed stars by their binding to the crystal.
- A 51 (testimony)Aëtius II 11,2. Supplies the adjacent account of a crystalline, solid heaven relevant to the support named in A54.
Translation in this edition
The word “fixed” must be read against the planets, not as a denial that the whole heavenly arrangement is carried around.