V

Preface
The purpose of this volume is to present all the known testimonia on Thales
in the original languages (Greek, Latin, Arabic and Persian) with a facing
English translation. The collection of testimonia is that of Georg Whrle
(TP 1, 2009) supplemented by 23 additional testimonia that have emerged
since then. The new testimonia (Th 40a, Th 40b, Th 65a, Th 482a, Th 508a,
Th 512a, Th 520a, Th 520b, Th 520c, Th 526a, Th 529a, Th 529b, Th 557a,
Th 557b, Th 557c, Th 563a, Th 563b, Th 564a, Th 564b, Th 569a, Th 569b,
Th 569c and Th 569d) are integrated into Prof. Whrles collection in chronological order. I have translated the original text (not Prof. Whrles translation). Where my understanding of the text differs from Prof. Whrles, I
print his translation in a footnote. Primarily responsible for the translation
of the Arabic material is my colleague Ahmed Alwishah of Pitzer College,
who labored mightily with me to find renderings that are faithful to the
Arabic and that make sense in the context of the reception tradition of Thales. My colleague Arash Khazeni of Pomona College played a similar role
in translating the Persian fragment. The Introduction by Prof. Whrle and
Prof. Strohmaier was translated by Merryl Rebello on behalf of De Gruyter
and reviewed by the original authors and by myself.
The present volume also incorporates some other changes from the 2009
volume. Texts and translations now have indications of line numbers (which
are reflected in the indexes as well). The indexes are fuller. The headings for
some of the similia are different. Indications of the contents of many of the
testimonia are given above the translation. There are some minor changes on
p.23 of Prof. Whrles Introduction to reflect the new material included in
the current volume. I have also made numerous small changes for purposes
of consistency.
I want to express my sincere thanks to De Gruyter for inviting me to contribute to the Traditio Praesocratica series in this way. Also to Pomona College for its generous support during the time I was engaged on this project.
In addition I wish to record my debts of gratitude to Professor Whrle
for his assistance on points of translation and his many useful suggestions

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VI

Preface

throughout the process of editing this volume, to Elvira Basel for her help
in translating German, to Prof. Sabine Vogt, Dr. Serena Pirrotta and Johanna
Wange of De Gruyter for their wonderful collaboration during the entire
period of work on this project, and most of all to my family, Voula Tsouna
and Eleni McKirahan for their patience and understanding.
Richard McKirahan
Athens, July 2014

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