The fabric of creation: theories of place and space in sixth to ninth-century Byzantine philosophy

This article examines the definitions of place or location (topos) and as a consequence, space, in Byzantine philosophy, from Maximos Confessor to Photios. These philosophers draw, on one hand, Aristotelian, Platonic, Neoplatonic sources, other Judeo-Christian tradition. Firstly, sets out novel definition which is conceptually inseparable time, needed for substances exist, boundary between created uncreated. In Anastasios Sinai’s writing, God archetypical all things likewise necessary substances. John Damascus, contrast, extends Aristotle’s Physics new directions, by investigating angels, determined their incorporeal limits. Finally, Photios produces systematic astute account how properties containing contained bodies come together make places. The concludes with an evaluation these theories, briefly considers relationship theories modern physics.