23

Introduction

3. How to use this edition

As explained above, the testimonies are presented in the chronological order
of the authors transmitting them,112 without further distinction between
Greek, Latin or Syro-Arabic texts. Longer testimonies are subdivided into
several sections. In cases where several testimonies are to be found in different works by one and the same author, they have if possible been
arranged according to doxographic principles. In some isolated cases where
texts by Greek authors have been translated into Latin (e.g. Eusebius
Jerome) or Arabic (e.g. Galen unain ibn Isq), there is a reference
under the name of the original author, whereas the translation (as far as it
can be attributed to a particular person) is to be found under the translators
name, in chronological order. In cases where an author transmitting a testimony is quoted by a later writer (as is the case with Alcaeus, who is referred to by Himerius), the reference is to be found under the original
authors name, the full quotation, however, under the name of the person
quoting the text. In order to provide a quick overview to the users of this
edition, a short summary of the quotes basic statement is added to the initial
reference.
All testimonies are translated into English. Textual differences from the
edition consulted are indicated in the annotations, as are occasional factual explanations. Discrepancies between the present English translation
and Whrles German translation are identified. Professor Whrles original
collection is supplemented by the texts supplied in the volume on Anaximander and Anaximenes in this series plus two more texts which he discovered too late for inclusion in that volume as well as four additional papyrus
texts that were called to my attention by David Sider.
The testimonies come with an apparatus listing the similia. These are usually not so much literally identical phrasings, but rather parallel passages in
terms of content, in which similar information on the biography, doctrine,
views and dicta of Thales is provided. In order to facilitate the access to this
material, a keyword is added to each of the passages. Only on their first occurrence are all of the similia listed. In later passages, their first occurrence
is referred to under q.v. (quod vide/which see).
112 An exception are scholia which (themselves often being only roughly datable) occasionally draw on even older material. For this reason, the scholia are presented as a
group of their own at the end of this collection.

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24

Introduction

As has already been said, this collection (on the basis of the indices and electronic resources available) aims at utmost possible completeness of those
testimonies which mention Thales by name. This principle is only abandoned in cases where later testimonies render the attribution in question
trustworthy. The so-called gnomological tradition on Thales, which has its
own characteristic problems, and which, in spite of some valuable preparatory efforts,113 is still in need of further synthesis, could be taken only
partially into consideration. The volume is provided with a Subject Index,
an Index of Names of Persons, Peoples and Places, Greek-English, LatinEnglish, Arabic-English and Persian-English indexes to the translation and
English-Greek/Latin, English-Arabic and English-Persian Glossaries, a
Concordance with Diels-Kranz, a Catalogue of the Testimonia, An Index of
Authors and a bibliography containing the editions used for the collection
as well as secondary literature referred to in the footnotes.

113 For example the exemplary study by Overwien 2005. A good overview on the Seven
Sages is provided by Althoff/Zeller 2006, 381. When broadening the idea of what
constitutes a text, one would have to take into account images which represent Thales, as well. A mosaic from Baalbek dating to the 3rd century CE, for instance, shows
Thales together with Socrates (see Grimm 2008, 5961; cf. Th 168). Grammarians
occasional notes on the declension of the name Thales have been neglected.

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