 The idea of distinguishing “seen” and “seeing” principles (objects and subjects of intellectual knowledge) dates back to the early interpretation of Plato’s Timaeus, where the Demiurge appears to behold a Model located outside himself in order to gather from it all the data necessary for the creation of the Cosmos: Middle Platonists thus used to distinguish between the Demiurge, Ideas, and Matter. As opposed to, e.g., Longinus (see Syrianus, In Metaphysica, 105.25–28), Plotinus had decisively argued that intelligibles are actually not to be found outside the Intellect. Iamblichus instead falls back on more traditional positions and expressly subordinates the Demiurge to the Intelligible Model. As, on the other hand, Iamblichus follows Plotinus’ steps in developing a doctrine of the One, this results in the Demiurge now being assigned a secondary rank, as he is surpassed by a plethora of other deities, including the Intelligible Model (In Timaeum [D-1973: Fr. 42–46]). He is but the third member of the “paternal” triad, itself part of a larger “intellective” Hebdomad (Proclus, In Timaeum I, 308.17–309.13: compare this triad to Fr. 4 [D-1973] In Philebum = Damascius, In Philebum § 105). From this point onwards, until the closing of the Neoplatonic schools, identifying the Demiurge with the First Principle is out of the question.