Photius, Bibliotecha 211

“I read a work of Dionysius of Aegea. It is entitled Diktyaka (Lattice Works). It was a little book made up of one hundred chapters, of which some maintain some particular hypothesis (there were fifty of these), while the remaining fifty each took up a refutation against each of the things being maintained. It was all arranged so that the refutation was presented after [the initial hypothesis] and in a continuous series.

The style of the discussion hasn’t been embellished, and it didn’t display much charm, especially not as a performance piece. Rather, the work is aiming to be an exercise for the author, and he takes care that the style is plain and coordinated. The book is useful for those who are being trained in the practice of dialectic.

Ἀνεγνώσθη Διονυσίου Αἰγέως· Δικτυακῶν ἔφερε τὴν ἐπιγραφήν. Ἦν δὲ ἄρα τὸ βιβλιδάριον κεφαλαίοις ἀπαρτιζόμενον ρʹ, ὧν τὰ μὲν ἰδίαν ἑκάστην ὑπόθεσιν κατεσκεύαζε (νʹ δὲ ταῦτα ἦν) τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ νʹ ἀνασκευὴν ἕκαστον πρὸς ἑκάστην τῶν κατεσκευασμένων ἐσπούδαζεν, ἑκάστῃ παρασκευῇ ἀντιπαρατιθεμένης παρευθὺ καὶ κατὰ συνέχειαν τῆς ἀνασκευῆς. Ἡ μὲν ἑρμηνεία τοῦ λόγου οὔτε ἐξωράϊσται οὔτε ἔρριπται τοῦ κάλλους, ἄλλως τε καὶ ὅτι οὐδ' ἐπιδεικτικῶς ἀλλ' ἐς τὸ γυμνάσιον τῷ συγγραφεῖ τὸ σπούδασμα τείνει, καὶ ἰσχνότητος αὐτῷ καὶ τῶν συστοίχων μέλει. Χρήσιμον δὲ τὸ βιβλίον τοῖς τὴν διαλεκτικὴν τριβὴν ἀσκουμένοις.

“Here are the hypotheses mentioned:

Ἡ δὲ ὑπόθεσις λέγει ταῦτα

1. That the emission of semen and the production of offspring comes from both parents; and the contrary, that it does not come from both.

ὅτι ἐξ ἀμφοτέρων ἡ καταβολὴ τοῦ σπέρματος καὶ ζωογονία γίνεται, καὶ τοὐναντίον οὐκ ἐξ ἀμφοτέρων.

2. Second, that the secretion of semen comes from the whole body; and the contrary, that it comes from the testicles alone.

Δεύτερον, ὅτι ἀφ' ὅλου τοῦ σώματος ἡ τοῦ σπέρματος ἔκκρισις, καὶ τοὐναντίον ὅτι ἀπὸ μόνων τῶν διδύμων.

3. That concoction is produced by heat; and that this is not the case.

Γʹ ὅτι ἡ πέψις θερμασίᾳ γίγνεται καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

4. That concoction is produced by friction; and not by friction.

Δʹ ὅτι τρίψει ἡ πέψις γίνεται, καὶ ὅτι οὐ τρίψει.

5. That concoction is produced by decay; and not by decay.

Εʹ ὅτι σήψει ἡ πέψις, καὶ ὅτι οὐ σήψει.

6. That concoction is produced by a special property of the pneuma; and that this is not the case.

ϛʹ ὅτι τοῦ πνεύματος ἰδιότητι ἡ πέψις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

7. That concoction is produced by a special quality of humours; and that this is not the case.

Ζʹ ὅτι χυμῶν ἰδιότητι ἡ πέψις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

8. That concoction is produced by a special property of heat; and that this is not the case.

Ηʹ ὅτι θερμασίας ἰδιότητι ἡ πέψις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

9. That assimilation of food is produced by heat; and that this is not the case.

Θʹ ὅτι θερμασίᾳ ἡ ἀνάδοσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

10. That assimilation of food is produced by drawing the heat to itself; and that this is not the case.

Ιʹ ὅτι ἡ ἀνάδοσις τῷ τὴν θερμασίαν ἐφ' ἑαυτὴν ἕλκειν, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

11. That assimilation is produced by the pneuma; and that this is not the case.

Ιαʹ ὅτι τῷ πνεύματι ἡ ἀνάδοσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

12. That assimilation is produced by juxtaposition of the arteries; and that this is not the case.

Ιβʹ ὅτι τῇ τῶν ἀρτηριῶν παραθέσει ἡ ἀνάδοσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

13. That assimilation is produced by absence in the void; and that assimilation is not produced by absence of what is not evident.

Ιγʹ ὅτι τῇ κατὰ κενὸν ἀπουσίᾳ ἡ ἀνάδοσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐ κατὰ τὸ ἄδηλον ἀπουσίᾳ ἡ ἀνάδοσις.

14. That the formation of cataracts occur due to the atrophy of the optic pore ; and that this is not the case.

Ιδʹ ὅτι δι' ἀτροφίαν τοῦ ὁρατικοῦ πόρου ἡ ἀπογλαύκωσις συμβαίνει, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

15. That the formation of cataracts is caused by the impact of blood on the optic pore; and that this is not the case.

Ιεʹ ὅτι παρ' ἔμπτωσιν αἵματος εἰς τὸν ὁρατικὸν πόρον ἡ ἀπογλαύκωσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

16. That the formation of cataracts occurs due to the thickness of fluids and transpiration; and that this is not the case.

Ιϛʹ ὅτι καθ' ὑγρῶν πάχος καὶ διαπνοὴν ἡ ἀπογλαύκωσις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

17. That phrenitis is produced by obstruction of the meninges and deterioration of the blood; and that this is not the case.

Ιζʹ ὅτι ἡ φρενῖτις κατὰ διάτασιν τῆς μήνιγγος καὶ φθορὰν τοῦ αἵματος γίνεται, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

18. That phrenitis occurs due to an abundance of heat; and that this is not the case.

Ιηʹ ὅτι κατὰ θερμασίας πλεονασμὸν ἡ φρενῖτις συμβαίνει, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

19. That phrenitis occurs because of inflammation; and that this is not the case.

Ιθʹ ὅτι διὰ φλεγμονὴν ἡ φρενῖτις, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

20. That lethargy is produced by inflammation; and that this is not the case.

Κʹ ὅτι ὁ λήθαργος διὰ φλεγμονὴν γίνεται, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

21. That people become lethargic due to exertion and destruction; and that this is not the case.

Καʹ ὅτι κατὰ διάτασιν οἱ ληθαργικοὶ καὶ φθοράν, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

22. That desire to drink and eat involves the whole body; and that it involves only the stomach.

Κβʹ ὅτι περὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα ἡ τοῦ πιεῖν καὶ φαγεῖν συνίσταται ὄρεξις, καὶ ὅτι περὶ μόνον τὸν στόμαχον.

23. That desire to eat and drink involves thought.

Κγʹ ὅτι ἡ τοῦ φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν ὄρεξις περὶ διάνοιαν.

24. That thirst is produced by a lack of fluids; and that this is not the case.

Κδʹ ὅτι καθ' ὑγρῶν ἔνδειαν τὸ δίψος, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

25. That some double activity is observed about the stomach; or that this is not the case.

Κεʹ ὅτι περὶ τὸν στόμαχον διπλῆ τις ὁρᾶται ἐνέργεια, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

26. That the principle of the nerves in the cavity is the internal membrane; and that this is not the case, but it is the external one.

Κϛʹ ὅτι ἡ ἐντὸς μῆνιγξ ἡ ἐν τῷ κοιλώματι ἀρχὴ τῶν νεύρων ἐστί, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως ἀλλ' ἡ ἐκτός.

27. That drugs purify when they are distributed; and that this is not the case, but through the impact.

Κζʹ ὅτι ἀναδιδόμενα τὰ φάρμακα καθαίρει, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὴν πρόσπτωσιν.

28. That one should not use purgatives; and that one should use them.

Κηʹ ὅτι οὐ χρηστέον τοῖς καθαρτικοῖς, καὶ ὅτι χρηστέον.

29. That one should use a dose of wine in cases of patient's with fever; and the contrary, that this is ill advised.

Κθʹ ὅτι οἴνου δόσει χρηστέον ἐπὶ τῶν πυρεσσόντων, καὶ τοὐναντίον ὅτι ἀσύμφορον.

30. That a bath is advantageous for those with fever; and that it is ill advised.

Λʹ ὅτι λουτρὸν τοῖς πυρέσσουσι λυσιτελεῖ, καὶ ὅτι ἀσύμφορον.

31. That one must wash when diseases intensify; and that this is not suitable.

Λαʹ ὅτι δεῖ ἐν ταῖς ἐπιτάσεσι τῶν νόσων κλύζειν, καὶ ὅτι οὐ προσῆκον.

32. That one must not use anointing at the beginning [of an illness]; and that this is useful.

Λβʹ ὅτι οὐ δεῖ κατ' ἀρχὰς ὑπαλείψει χρῆσθαι, καὶ ὅτι συμφέρον.

33. That one must apply a plaster to the head; and that one must not, but use only incense.

Λγʹ ὅτι δεῖ καταπλάττειν τὴν κεφαλήν, καὶ ὅτι οὐ δεῖ, τοῖς δ' ὀσφραντοῖς μόνον χρῆσθαι.

34. That emetics are ill advised; and that they are useful.

Λδʹ ὅτι ἐμετοποιία ἀσύμφορον, καὶ ὅτι συμφέρον.

35. That the heart does not send out blood; and that it does send it out.

Λεʹ ὅτι οὐκ ἐπιπέμπει ἡ καρδία αἷμα, καὶ ὅτι ἐπιπέμπει.

36. That the heart does not send out pneuma, but the arteries draw it in; and that the contrary is the case.

Λϛʹ ὅτι οὐχ ἡ καρδία τὸ πνεῦμα ἐπιπέμπει, ἀλλ' αἱ ἀρτηρίαι ἕλκουσι, καὶ ὅτι ἔμπαλιν.

37. That the heart moves itself; and that it does not move itself.

Λζʹ ὅτι ἐξ ἑαυτῆς ἡ καρδία κινεῖται, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἐξ ἑαυτῆς.

38. That the blood naturally exists in the arteries; and that the arteries are not vessels for blood.

Ληʹ ὅτι κατὰ φύσιν αἷμα ἐν ἀρτηρίαις ὑπάρχει, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ αἵματος αἱ ἀρτηρίαι ἀγγεῖον.

39. That all the vessels are simple in their bulk; and that they are woven.

Λθʹ ὅτι πάντα τὰ ἀγγεῖα ἐν τῷ ὄγκῳ ἁπλᾶ ἐστι, καὶ ὅτι πλέγματά ἐστι.

40. That an animal's ability to sense and move comes about through the nerves; and that this is not the case.

Μʹ ὅτι διὰ τῶν νεύρων ἡ αἴσθησις καὶ ἡ κίνησις τοῦ ζῴου, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

41. That the heart is the principle of the veins; and that it is not the principle.

Μαʹ ὅτι ἀρχὴ φλεβῶν ἡ καρδία καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

42. That the liver is the principle of the veins; and that it is not the principle.

Μβʹ ὅτι ἧπαρ ἀρχὴ φλεβῶν, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

43. That the ventricle / belly is the principle o the veins; and that it is not the principle.

Μγʹ ὅτι κοιλία φλεβῶν ἀρχή, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

44. That the membrane is the principle of all vessels; and that it is not the principle.

Μδʹ ὅτι πάντων τῶν ἀγγείων ἀρχὴ μῆνιγξ, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

45. That the lungs are the principle of the arteries; and that they are not the principle.

Μεʹ ὅτι πνεύμων ἀρτηριῶν ἀρχή, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀρχή.

46. That the artery along the spine is the principle of the arteries; and that it is not the principle.

Μϛʹ ὅτι ἡ παρὰ τὴν ῥάχιν ἀρτηρία ἀρτηριῶν ἀρχή, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

47. That the heart is the principle of the arteries; and that it is not the principle.

Μζʹ ὅτι ἡ καρδία ἀρχὴ ἀρτηριῶν, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

48. That it is not the heart, but the membrane around the brain that is the principle of the nerves; and that it is not the principle.

Μηʹ ὅτι οὐχ ἡ καρδία ἀρχὴ νεύρων, ἀλλ' ἡ περιέχουσα τὸν ἐγκέφαλον μῆνιγξ, καὶ ὅτι οὐκ ἀρχή.

49. That the intellectual faculty is not in the region of the heart, but the head; and the opposite.

Μθʹ ὅτι οὐ περὶ καρδίαν τὸ διανοητικὸν ἀλλὰ περὶ κεφαλήν, καὶ ὅτι ἀνάπαλιν.

50. That the intellectual faculty is situated in the middle of the brain; and that this is not the case.

Νʹ ὅτι τὸ διανοητικόν ἐστι περὶ τὴν μέσην τοῦ ἐγκεφάλου κοιλίαν, καὶ ὅτι οὐχ οὕτως.

Here, then, are the hypotheses set in opposition.”

Ταῦτα καὶ ἡ ὑπόθεσις διατείνεται.