Excerpta Vaticana (18-20)

Some say that Homer uses the word ‘chain’ allegorically to mean the days, and the rays of the sun.

It is not true that Cronus was bound by Zeus. Rather, Cronus travels on an outer orbit far from us which appears slow and is difficult for humans to observe. On this account it is said that he stands still and, in a sense, is bound with fetters. The depth of the lower atmosphere is called Tartarus.

What is that incessant fire which would flash from the weapons of Diomedes? Athena is traditionally known as the ‘lightbringer’ and she is the patroness of intellectual activity and true wisdom. She lit a fire in Diomedes’ soul, and took away the mist, that is to say his ignorance, in the presence of which the soul is blind. For it is said: What is more I have taken the mist from your eyes, which before was upon them [Il. 5.127]. And that’s what the fire should be thought to be, and it is Athena who provides it. Thus in Proclus.