In this work I reconstruct the physical and mental descriptions of perception in Aristotle. I propose to consider the thesis that αἴσθησις is a μεσότης (DA II 11) as a description of the physiological aspect of perception, meaning that perceiving is a physical act by which the sensory apparatus homeostatically counterbalances, and thence measures, the incoming affection produced by external perceptible objects. The proposal is based on a revision of the semantics of the word mesotês in Plato, Aristotle and later Greek mathematicians (mostly Nicomachus of Gerasa). I show how this interpretation fits the text, and how it solves problems that afflict the rival interpretations. I further develop a ‘non-dephysiologizing’ spiritualist reading of the additional description of perception as reception of forms without the matter (DA II 12). I show that Aristotle uses the expression ‘forms without matter’ to describe actually abstracted items in one’s mind rather than the way in which the form are received. In opposition to forms-in-matter, such items are causally powerless and metaphysically sterile: an F-without-matter somewhat determines the subject it is in (one’s mind content F) without qualifying or identifying it as an F-subject. Thus, we have a second ‘mental’ description of perception. Further parts of the thesis are devoted to settle interpretive questions raised by controversial statements about perception found in De Anima II 5 and III 2, and to discuss the question of how the mental and physiological descriptions of perception Aristotle offers are related. My conclusion is that Aristotle’s views combines a form of quasi-dualist vitalism about powers (the faculty of perception, and more generally the soul, are not just irreducible to matter, but also primitive and non-supervenient) which is nonetheless compatible with hylomorphism, and a form of epiphenomenalism (and thence the ‘bottom-up’ determination typical of modern supervenience) with regard to perceptual events (i.e., the activity of perceiving).

Depuis une dizaine d’année, plusieurs études renouvèlent considérablement nos connaissances au sujet des établissements thermaux publics et de leur pratique au Proche-Orient. Malheureusement, aucune synthèse envisageant le phénomène balnéaire dans une perspective d’histoire des mentalités au sein d’une seule cité ne semble avoir été réalisée. Fondé sur une approche archéologique et architecturale, ce travail a pour premier objectif de proposer une synthèse diachronique de l’évolution des huit établissements de bains publics actuellement connus à Gerasa et de leur pratique au cours de l’histoire. La situation observée dans l’ancienne cité de la Décapole est ensuite confrontée à la pratique thermale dans l’antiquité au Proche-Orient, telle qu’elle est aujourd’hui appréhendée, permettant ainsi d’en dégager les correspondances, les dissemblances et les caractéristiques propres au corpus de Gerasa. S’appuyant sur une méthodologie originale, cette étude souligne le rôle profondément hybride de ces établissements disposant naturellement d’installations permettant le nettoyage du corps mais également d’espaces spécifiques et indépendants pour lesquels les fonctions civique, politique et religieuse peuvent être supposées / For a decade, several studies have renewed significantly our knowledge about public baths and their practice in the Middle East. Unfortunately, no synthesis considering the bathing phenomenon in a diachronic perspective of history of mentalities in a single city appears to have been carried out. Based on an archaeological and architectural approach, this work at first intended to propose a diachronic synthesis of the evolution of eight public bath buildings currently known in Gerasa and their practice in history. The situation in the City of the Decapolis is then confronted to the practice of public bath in Antiquity in the Middle East, as it is known today, allowing to identify matches, differences and characteristics of the corpus of Gerasa. Based on an original methodology, this study highlights the deeply hybrid role of these institutions with natural facilities for the cleaning of the body but also specific and independent spaces for which civic, political and religious functions may be assumed

Auteur romain du 6ème siècle connu pour ses traductions en latin des textes en grec d’Aristote, Boèce a aussi rédigé une traduction-adaptation d’un texte de Nicomaque de Gérase sur l’arithmétique. La première partie de ce mémoire de maîtrise est consacrée à l’étude de Boèce en tant que passeur de savoir. Sa relation avec son père adoptif est mise en valeur afin de soutenir l’hypothèse selon laquelle Boèce aurait acquis sa connaissance du grec et son éducation tout en restant à Rome, sans avoir séjourné dans les écoles athéniennes ou alexandriennes. La deuxième partie porte sur le contenu mathématique du De institutione arithmetica. Après avoir montré comment le De arithmetica était relié à l’oeuvre de traduction par Boèce des philosophes grecs, le choix de l’Introduction à l’Arithmétique de Nicomaque comme point de départ du traité d’arithmétique de Boèce est étudié. Un catalogue raisonné des concepts mathématiques présentés est ensuite proposé, organisé autour des notions de quantité en soi et quantité relative qui conservent l’opposition entre le Même et l’Autre et rappellent l’opposition fondamentale entre Limité et Illimité, si chère aux pythagoriciens. Ce mémoire se termine par une analyse de la transmission du De institutione arithmetica et de son influence sur les mathématiques et l’enseignement du quadrivium au Moyen-Âge. / Roman author of the 6th century known for his Latin translations of Aristotle’s Greek texts, Boethius has also composed a translation-adaptation of a treatise on arithmetics written by Nicomachus of Gerasa. The first section of this master’s thesis focuses on characterizing Boethius as a intermediary, transferring Greek knowledge to the Latin West. His relationship with Symmachus is highlighted in order to argue that Boethius had been able to learn Greek and reach such a high level of learning in Rome, without the need to study in the Athenian or Alexandrian schools of his time. The mathematical content of the De institutione arithmetica is the main topic of the second section. After showing how the De arithmetica is related to Boethius’ magnum opus – the Latin translation of the Greek philosophers – the choice of Nicomachus of Gerasa’ Introduction to Arithmetics as the source of Boethius’ treaty on arithmetics is studied. Then, a catalogue raisonné of the mathematical concepts showcased is provided, organized around the notions of quantity constant of itself and relative quantity which retain the opposition between the Same and the Other and stems from the pythagoricians’ fondamental opposition between the Limited and the Unlimited. This masters’ thesis ends with an analysis of the medieval transmission of the De institutione arithmetica and of its influence on medieval mathematics and education through the quadrivium.

The aim of this essay is to investigate the theories of city planning that existed during Greek, Hellenistic and Roman period. Vitruvius, Aristoteles and Hippodamos had thoughts about the placement of the city, the street networks organization and individual buildings proportion, function and neighbors. Aristoteles angle of incidence is pragmatic and social aspects. Vitruvius emphasizes health aspects and the individual buildings with regard to durability, expediency and beauty. Hippodamos view on how health aspects should be regarded aligns with Aristoteles and stresses an equal distribution of the urban land. Gerasa is investigated in relation to these template city qualities and results show that it does not consistently overlap or deviate. To add a further perspective it is put in relation to Pompeji and they are compared with the theories.  Questions: 1. What is laid out by Aristoteles, Vitruvius and Hippodamos about a city's ideal placement and internal structure and design? 2. How does the remains from the excavated cities Gerasa and Pompeji relate to these theories?  Method: The Theories on city planning were searched and assembled from literary sources. Then a comparison was made between all the three parts of Gerasa, Pompeji and the ideal cities.