ΠΕΡΑΣ (peras_pyth) — Lexarithmos 386

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, πέρας, τό, gen. -ατος, means “end, limit, boundary.” This word, derived from the verb περάω (“to pass through, to cross, to reach an end”), expresses the notion of completion, termination, or the delimitation of a space, time, or process. In everyday usage, it refers to the end of a journey, the frontier of a region, or the outcome of an event.

The philosophical significance of peras is particularly profound. In Pythagorean cosmology, peras constitutes one of the two fundamental principles of the universe, alongside apeiron. Peras is the principle of form, order, and definition, which is imposed upon the formless and indeterminate apeiron to create the cosmos. This dualistic conception deeply influenced Plato.

In Plato, especially in the dialogue “Philebus,” peras is the principle that gives form, measure, and harmony to the apeiron, which by itself is indeterminate and formless. Peras is the idea, the structure, the proportion that makes the existence of things possible. Aristotle, though critical of the Pythagoreans and Plato, also uses peras to describe the limit or end of a thing, often connecting it with the concept of telos (purpose).

Etymology

πέρας ← περάω ← per- / pera- (Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language)

The word πέρας derives from the verb περάω, meaning “to pass through, to cross, to reach an end.” The root per- / pera- is an Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, expressing movement towards a limit or the completion of a journey. From this basic notion of passage and termination, the meanings of boundary, end, and finitude developed.

Cognate words include the verb περάω (“to pass through, to complete”), the adverb πέρα (“beyond, on the other side”), as well as derivatives such as περαίνω (“to accomplish, to bring to an end”) and περατικός (“passable, able to be crossed”). This word family highlights the internal coherence of the Greek language in expressing the concept of limits and their transgression.

Main Meanings

The end, completion — The primary meaning, the point where something ceases or is brought to a conclusion.
The limit, boundary — The line or point that demarcates a space, a region, or an object.
The destination of a journey — The point of arrival or the objective of a course or travel.
The end of a period of time — The termination of an era, a duration, or a process.
Finitude, the finite (philosophy) — The quality of having limits, of being defined, in contrast to the ἄπειρον (the infinite).
The defined, the formed (philosophy) — The principle that imparts structure, measure, and harmony, as in Plato's “Philebus.”
The outcome, result — The conclusion or consequence of an action or state.

Word Family

per- / pera- (root of the verb περάω, meaning "to pass through, to reach an end")

The root per- / pera- is an Ancient Greek root that expresses the movement of passing through, transgressing a boundary, or completing a course. From this fundamental notion of "passing through" or "reaching an end," a rich family of words developed, describing limits, boundaries, finitude, and its opposite, boundlessness. This root underscores the Greek philosophical engagement with the definition and delimitation of the cosmos.

πέρας τό · noun · lex. 386

The limit, the end, completion. The headword of the family, encapsulating the concept of definition and finality. A central concept in the philosophy of Plato and the Pythagoreans.

περάω verb · lex. 986

“To pass through, to cross, to reach an end.” The foundational verb from which peras derives, expressing the action of traversing and completing. Used from Homer onwards.

πέρα adverb · lex. 186

“Beyond, on the other side, far away.” Denotes position or movement beyond a limit or reference point, implying transgression. Found in Attic dialect.

περαίνω verb · lex. 1045

“To accomplish, to bring to an end, to finish.” An active form of the verb, signifying the act of completion or achieving a final state. Often used in philosophical texts for concluding an argument.

περατικός adjective · lex. 786

“Passable, able to be crossed, permeable.” Relates to the feasibility of traversing or the quality of being able to pass a boundary. Encountered in geographical descriptions.

ὅριον τό · noun · lex. 300

“Boundary, limit, frontier.” A synonym of peras, emphasizing demarcation and definition. Widely used in geographical, legal, and philosophical contexts, e.g., in Plato.

τέλος τό · noun · lex. 605

“End, purpose, completion.” A significant philosophical concept, closely linked to peras, as the telos can be the limit or goal of a process. Central to Aristotle (final cause).

ἄπειρον τό · noun · lex. 316

“The boundless, the infinite, the indeterminate.” The philosophical antithesis of peras, central to the Presocratics (Anaximander, Pythagoreans) and Plato, as the formless matter that receives the form of peras.

ἀριθμός ὁ · noun · lex. 430

“Number.” In Pythagorean thought, number is the means by which peras is imposed upon apeiron, giving form, order, and limit to things. Thus, number defines peras.

Philosophical Journey

The concept of peras traverses the history of Greek thought, from the cosmological theories of the Presocratics to the systematic philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, maintaining its central significance as a principle of delimitation and definition.

6th-5th C. BCE

Presocratics (Pythagoreans, Anaximander)

Peras emerges as a cosmological principle, in a dualistic relationship with apeiron. The Pythagoreans consider peras as the principle of form and order imposed upon the formless apeiron for the creation of the cosmos.

4th C. BCE

Plato

In the “Philebus” (23c-26e), Plato develops the distinction between peras and apeiron. Peras is the principle of measure, proportion, and harmony, which gives form and definition to the indeterminate apeiron, leading to the generation of beings.

4th C. BCE

Aristotle

Aristotle examines peras primarily as the limit or end of a thing (telos), often in relation to motion and completion. In the “Physics” (Γ 6, 207a1-2), he analyzes the concept of the infinite and the finite, differentiating himself from his predecessors.

3rd C. BCE - 2nd C. CE

Hellenistic and Roman Periods

The philosophical use of peras continues, especially in Plotinus and the Neoplatonists, where the concept of limit and definition remains central to understanding the hierarchy of existence.

1st-5th C. CE

New Testament and Patristic Literature

The word peras appears rarely in theological literature, primarily with the common meaning of “end” or “completion,” without carrying the heavy philosophical weight of the classical era.

In Ancient Texts

Two of the most significant passages that highlight the philosophical importance of peras:

«τὸ δὲ πέρας καὶ τὸ ἄπειρον, ὡς ἐν τοῖς πρόσθεν ἐλέγετο, ὅτι δὴ πᾶν τὸ ὂν ἐκ τούτων σύγκειται.»

But the limit and the unlimited, as was said before, that indeed all being is composed of these.

Plato, Philebus 23c

«τὸ ἄπειρον οὐκ ἔστιν ὡς οὐσία, ἀλλ’ ὡς ὕλη τοῦ πέρατος.»

The infinite does not exist as substance, but as the matter of the limit.

Aristotle, Physics Γ 6, 207a1-2

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΠΕΡΑΣ is 386, from the sum of its letter values:

Π = 80

Pi

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Ρ = 100

Rho

Α = 1

Alpha

Σ = 200

Sigma

= 386

Total

80 + 5 + 100 + 1 + 200 = 386

386 decomposes into 300 (hundreds) + 80 (tens) + 6 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΠΕΡΑΣ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	386	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	8	3+8+6=17 → 1+7=8 — The Ogdoad, the number of balance, order, and completion, symbolizing the perfection of the cube and harmony.
Letter Count	5	5 letters — The Pentad, the number of perfection, harmony, and life, according to Pythagorean arithmosophy.
Cumulative	6/80/300	Units 6 · Tens 80 · Hundreds 300
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	P-E-R-A-S	Peras Est Ratio Atque Structura (interpretive: “Limit is Reason and Structure”).
Grammatical Groups	2V · 3C	2 vowels (E, A) and 3 consonants (P, R, S), indicating a balanced structure.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mercury ☿ / Gemini ♊	386 mod 7 = 1 · 386 mod 12 = 2

Isopsephic Words (386)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (386) as peras, but of different roots, offering interesting connections and contrasts:

ἀέριος

“airy, of the air” — The intangible, formless, and unbounded nature of air, in contrast to the defined and delimited peras. It symbolizes the absence of limits.

ἑπτά

“seven” — The sacred number seven, a symbol of order, completion, and harmony, which delimits and structures the world, like the seven planets or the seven days of creation.

ἐννοσία

“thought, conception” — The mental act of defining and delimiting concepts, which allows humans to understand and set boundaries in the world.

ἀγορασία

“buying, act of purchasing” — The act that establishes boundaries of ownership and transaction, setting clear dividing lines between people and their possessions.

γεηρός

“earthy, of the earth” — The material, finite nature of the earth, in contrast to the infinity of the cosmos, underscoring the finitude of human existence.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 52 words with lexarithmos 386. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement, Oxford University Press, 1996.
Plato — Philebus, ed. J. Burnet, Oxford Classical Texts, 1901.
Aristotle — Physica, ed. W. D. Ross, Oxford Classical Texts, 1950.
Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., Schofield, M. — The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, 1983.
Diogenes Laertius — Lives of Eminent Philosophers, trans. R. D. Hicks, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1925.