Timaeus
The Timaeus is Plato's account of the making of the universe. On the day after the conversation of the Republic, the Pythagorean astronomer Timaeus of Locri explains how a divine craftsman, looking to an eternal model, fashioned the world as a living creature with a soul, formed the heavenly bodies and time itself, and composed the four elements out of geometric solids, and how the lesser gods then made the human body, its senses, its diseases and its soul. Before he begins, Critias tells the story of Atlantis, the great island power that sank beneath the sea, which appears here for the first time in literature. Benjamin Jowett's translation, with his introduction, presents the dialogue. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Timaeus
Timaeus by Plato can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Timaeus online?
Yes. Timaeus opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Timaeus free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Timaeus is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Timaeus in the public domain?
Yes. Timaeus by Plato is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Benjamin Jowett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Timaeus?
About 4 h 51 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Timaeus?
Timaeus by Plato is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.
