Régnier provides a careful re-examination of the evidence we have for Theophrastus’ explanation of seismic phenomena. Whereas Seneca, who may not have had access to Theophrastus’ Meteorologica, lumps Theophrastus and Aristotle together in attributing the cause to exhalations of air (anathymiasis), the version of the lost Greek work preserved in Arabic translation reveals that Theophrastus proposed four causes of seismic movement: earth, water, wind, fiery breath. Régnier argues that Theophrastus utilises Aristotelian concepts (such as the four principles as efficient causes, and the elements as material causes) but reaches different conclusions from Aristotle as to the causes of earthquakes.
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