From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordExapsis is a kindling or ignition, the beginning of a fire or blaze.
- In StobaeusThe account defines a luminous flare as the kindling of a mass of fire in the air, then distinguishes moving from stationary flares.
- In this edition“Kindling” preserves the onset of fire; “burning” alone would lose that temporal distinction.
- A place to beginKindling introduces the distinction between moving and stationary luminous flares.
- English renderings
- kindling; ignition
Meaning
Exapsis is a kindling or ignition, the beginning of a fire or blaze.
Use in the book
The account defines a luminous flare as the kindling of a mass of fire in the air, then distinguishes moving from stationary flares. Speed explains a moving light’s apparent length, whereas a stationary extension is described differently. Kindling names their fiery origin within the classification, not their subsequent motion.
Places to read
- I.40.1.46Kindling introduces the distinction between moving and stationary luminous flares.
Translation in this edition
“Kindling” preserves the onset of fire; “burning” alone would lose that temporal distinction.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 266. The source places comets among stationary extensions of aerial fire; these categories should not be equated uncritically with modern astronomical classes.