Natural philosophy, then, continued from Thales until Archelaus. Socrates was the hearer of this (latter philosopher). There are, however, also very many others, introducing various opinions respecting both the divinity and the nature of the universe; and if we were disposed to adduce all the opinions of these, it would be necessary to compose a vast quantity of books. But, reminding the reader of those whom we especially ought—who are deserving of mention from their fame, and from being, so to speak, the leaders to those who have subsequently framed systems of philosophy, and from their supplying them with a starting-point towards such undertakings—let us hasten on our investigations towards what remains for consideration.

[10] Ἡ μὲν οὖν φυσικὴ φιλοσοφία ἀπὸ Θάλητος ἕως Ἀρχελάου διέμεινε: τούτου γίνεται Σωκράτης ἀκροατής. εἰσὶ δὲ καὶ ἕτεροι πλεῖστοι διαφόρους δόξας προενεγκάμενοι περί τε τοῦ θείου καὶ τῆς τοῦ παντὸς φύσεως: ὧν εἰ πάσας τὰς δόξας ἐβουλόμεθα παραθεῖναι, πολλὴν ἂν ὕλην βιβλίων ἔδει κατασκευάζειν. ὧν δὲ ἔδει, μάλιστα ἐπ' ὀνόματος ὄντων καί, ὡς εἰπεῖν, κορυφαίων γενομένων, πᾶσι τοῖς μετέπειτα φιλοσοφήσασι[ν] ἀφορμὰς δεδωκότων πρὸς τὰ ἐπιχειρούμενα, ὑπομνησθέντες ἐπὶ τὰ ἑξῆς ὁρμήσομεν.