From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordGonē can denote generation, offspring, or generative seed according to context.
- In StobaeusThe arithmetical excerpt reports that Timaeus of Locri calls the monad gonē because it governs the generation of numbers.
- In this edition“Generative principle” explains this use; “seed” preserves the image more compactly.
- A place to beginThe monad is called a generative principle of numbers.
- English renderings
- generation; seed; generative source
Meaning
Gonē can denote generation, offspring, or generative seed according to context. A mathematical application requires a figurative rendering.
Use in the book
The arithmetical excerpt reports that Timaeus of Locri calls the monad gonē because it governs the generation of numbers. The word imports an image of reproduction into an account of numerical origin. “Semen” would be too bodily as the unqualified English rendering of this sentence.
Places to read
- Arith.2bThe monad is called a generative principle of numbers.
Translation in this edition
“Generative principle” explains this use; “seed” preserves the image more compactly.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 16. The neighboring discussion distinguishes the One and the monad in a compressed reported doctrine; the two expressions are not automatically interchangeable.