ing to the numbers, no doubt, Ajax is victorious, but history hands down the name of Ulysses as the conqueror. Achilles and Hector [may be adduced as examples], Achilles, according to the rule of the number nine, makes four monads; Hector one: Achilles gains the victory. Again, Achilles and Asteropæus [are instances]. Achilles makes four monads, Asteropæus three: Achilles conquers. Again, Menelaus and Euphorbus [may be adduced as examples]. Menelaus has nine monads, Euphorbus eight: Menelaus gains the victory.
Some, however, according to the rule of the number seven, employ the vowels only, but others distinguish by themselves the vowels, and by themselves the semi-vowels, and by themselves the mutes; and, having formed three orders, they take the roots by themselves of the vowels, and by themselves of the semi-vowels, and by themselves of the mutes, and they compare each apart. Others, however, do not employ even these customary numbers, but different ones: for instance, as an example, they do not wish to allow that the letter p has as a root 8 monads, but 5, and that the [letter] x [si] has as a root four monads; and turning in every direction, they discover nothing sound. When, however, they contend about the second [letter], from each name they take away the first letter; but when they contend about the third [letter], they take away two letters of each name, and calculating the rest, compare them.
Chapter xv.
Quibbles of the Numerical Theorists—the Art of the Frontispicists (Physiognomy)—Connection of this Art with Astrology—Type of those born under Aries.
I think that there has been clearly expounded the mind of arithmeticians, who, by means of numbers and of names, suppose that they interpret life. Now I perceive that these, enjoying leisure, and being trained in calculation, have been desirous that, through the art[1] delivered to them from childhood, they, acquiring celebrity, should be styled prophets.
- ↑ The word θέλειν occurs in this sentence, but is obviously superfluous.
