Three hundred and sixty worlds (1)

Text
Agapius of Mabbug, Kitab al’Unvan, in Patrologia Orientalis 7.520:
He (= Bardesanes) avers that there are seven elements; three of these are the chief ones and four take second rank. The three chief elements are: spirit, force and thought. The other four are: fire, water, light and wind. These seven elements unite together and hence there originate three hundred and sixty worlds. Man is also formed of these seven elements: his soul consists of the three principal, fine elements. In another book he posits the thesis, that the body consists of the four lesser elements.

Michael the Syrian, Chronicle 1.110:
He (= Bardesanes) avers that there are three great natures and four elements, viz. spirit, force, thought and knowledge, and four forces, fire, water, light and wind. From these the other elements originated and the worlds to the number of three hundred and sixty.

Bar Hebraeus, On Heresies 13.255:
Regarding Bardesanes. He avers that there are three great natures, spirit, force and thought and four elements, fire, water, light and wind. From these the elements originated and three hundred and sixty-six worlds.

Sources (list of abbreviations)
Agapius of Mabbug, Kitab al’Unvan, in Patrologia Orientalis 7.520
Michael the Syrian, Chronicle 1.110
Bar Hebraeus, On Heresies 13.255

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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