# Timaeus — Dialogues character guide

> Timaeus in Dialogues by Plato.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Timaeus, Timaeus

**First appearance:** 0067-timaeus

## Snapshot

A Locrian philosopher who takes up the Pythagorean mantle to narrate the origin of the cosmos, from the world-soul to the frailties of the human body.

## Who they are

Timaeus is the principal speaker of the dialogue that bears his name, a visitor whose Pythagorean sympathies lead him to expound on physics, the nature of God, and the construction of the heavens. He is aware that his subject is uncertain and that his account is a likely story rather than certain knowledge, yet he proceeds with a craftsman's confidence. His speech marks Plato's most ambitious attempt to bridge the sensible and intellectual realms, making him essential to the dialogue's central arc.

## In the story

### [Timaeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/timaeus)

Primary speaker; delivers the cosmological narrative.

### [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis)

The primary speaker in the dialogue, whose discourse on cosmology and creation is the focus of the analysis.

### [Timaeus I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/i)

Citizen of Locris, philosopher and statesman, who is asked by Socrates to narrate the creation of the universe.

### [§ IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/iv)

The dialogue's main speaker; his cosmological account is the subject of the chapter.

### [§ VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/viii)

Speaker in the Timaeus, whose cosmological account is the focus of the chapter.

### [Timaeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/timaeus)

Agrees with Socrates' recollection and is praised as a philosopher and statesman from Locris; later delivers a cosmological account.

### [Critias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/critias)

Present as a listener, having previously delivered his cosmological discourse.

### [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis)

Timaeus concludes his cosmological account with a prayer, preceding Critias's narrative.

### [Critias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/critias)

Timaeus concludes his speech and hands over the argument to Critias, praying for truth and knowledge.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/timaeus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters