408–409
Socrates
Socrates. What, then, do you wish first? Shall we discuss the sun (Ἥλιος), as you mentioned it first?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. By all means.
Socrates
Socrates. I think it would be clearer if we were to use the Doric form of the name. The Dorians call it Ἅλιος. Now ἅλιος might be derived from collecting (ἁλίζειν) men when he rises, or because he always turns (ἀεὶ εἱλεῖν) about the earth in his course, or because he variegates the products of the earth, for variegate is identical with αἰολλεῖν.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. And what of the moon, Selene?
Socrates
Socrates. That name appears to put Anaxagoras in an uncomfortable position.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. How so?
Socrates
Socrates. Why, it seems to have anticipated by many years the recent doctrine of Anaxagoras, that the moon receives its light from the sun.
5
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. How is that?
Socrates
Socrates. Σέλας (gleam) and φῶς (light) are the same thing.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
Socrates
Socrates. Now the light is always new and old about the moon, if the Anaxagoreans are right; for they say the sun, in its continuous course about the moon, always sheds new light upon it, and the light of the previous month persists.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
10
Socrates
Socrates. The moon is often called Σελαναία.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. Because it has always a new and old gleam (σέλα νέον τε καὶ ἕνον) the very most fitting name for it would be Σελαενονεοάεια, which has been compressed into Σελαναία.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. That is a regular opera bouffe name, Socrates. But what have you to say of the month (μήν) and the stars?
