From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordPhleps denotes a vein or vessel.
- In StobaeusThe Hermetic account describes pneuma passing through veins, arteries, and blood to move and sustain the living creature.
- In this edition“Vein” suits the explicit contrast; “vessel” may be clearer where no such contrast occurs.
- A place to beginVeins help carry the pneuma that moves and sustains the animal.
- English renderings
- vein; blood vessel
Meaning
Phleps denotes a vein or vessel. Ancient accounts may use the term more broadly than a modern arterial-venous distinction.
Use in the book
The Hermetic account describes pneuma passing through veins, arteries, and blood to move and sustain the living creature. The vessels belong to the bodily medium carrying psychic activity. Since arteries are separately named here, the distinction should remain visible even though the physiology is not modern circulation theory.
Places to read
- I.47.9.1Veins help carry the pneuma that moves and sustains the animal.
Translation in this edition
“Vein” suits the explicit contrast; “vessel” may be clearer where no such contrast occurs.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 305. A supplied clause completes the sequence from soul to pneuma to body; the English retains its marked status in the bilingual edition.