DiotimosReading Desk

Heavens and weather

Mainland

ἤπειρος

ēpeiros

Ēpeiros is mainland or continental land, contrasted with sea or islands.

From the book

Stobaeus, Volume I

John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordĒpeiros is mainland or continental land, contrasted with sea or islands.
  • In StobaeusThe optical example says that the mainland appears to move when observers sail.
  • In this edition“Mainland” suits the sailing example; “continent” suits the broader geographical division.
  • A place to beginThe apparently moving mainland illustrates dependence on the observer’s situation.
English renderings
mainland; continent

Meaning

Ēpeiros is mainland or continental land, contrasted with sea or islands.

Use in the book

The optical example says that the mainland appears to move when observers sail. Its actual bodily presence is not denied; the motion is the appearance requiring explanation. The example prepares a distinction between substantial formations and appearances such as the rainbow.

Places to read

  1. I.30.1.1The apparently moving mainland illustrates dependence on the observer’s situation.
  2. I.40.1.12Mainlands and islands are contrasted before the larger island model is proposed.

Translation in this edition

“Mainland” suits the sailing example; “continent” suits the broader geographical division.

Source note

Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 238–239, 258. The example does not say that the mainland itself lacks substance; it is the apparent motion that illustrates the distinction.