[21] Words in ( ) added from Theodoret, ubi cit.
[22] Cf. Vol. I, pp. [146]-[148] supra, which this chapter follows closely.
[23] Words in ( ) added from Vol. I, p. [161] supra. Nearly four lines are wanting here which can be filled from the page quoted.
[24] Throughout this chapter, the summarizer copies closely the former account of the Sethians, for which see Vol. I, pp. [160]-[169] supra. I have not thought it worth while to draw attention to the slight differences in readings, but it is plain that the meaning in both cases was as obscure to the summarizer as it is to us.
[25] φρόνησις. This is evidently taken from the account of Simon’s doctrine in Book VI, c. 12 (p. [6] supra), which says that the unseen parts of the fire have φρόνησις “and a share of mind,” without mention of the seen parts. The rest of this chapter, with the exception of the last sentence attributing supreme power to Simon, is substantially, but not exactly word for word, identical with c. 12 of Book VI. Cf. pp. 247, 250 and 259 Cr.
[26] The only ground for this assertion seems to be Simon’s statement to Helen of Tyre (see p. [15] supra), that he was the “Power over all things,” which seems to be explained by that on p. [12] supra, that the Power which Stands, etc., is potentially in all things.
[27] πρωτογενέτειραν. While in Book VI, of which these chapters profess to be a summary, the author describes Nous and Aletheia with their projectors as the descendants of Bythos alone, he here gives an account of the rival opinion that Bythos had a spouse called Sigê, and he reckons her in with her descendants so as to make up the number of eight.
[28] This is, of course, the Horos of Book VI.
[29] This word is also used in Book VI (see p. 286 Cr.), as the exact converse of the Pleroma or Fulness.
[30] It is curious that throughout this chapter there is no attempt to quote directly from Book VI, and that it is evidently the opinions of the Italic school of Valentinus and not the Anatolic that the author is here summarizing. In the next chapter, as will be seen, he resumes direct quotations.