Socrates accepts the ancient Athenian tradition presented by Critias as a "great true story" suitable for a festival. And then, the three of them clarify who will speak about what and how they will divide the roles.

First, let us speak of Timaios, who has explored the realms of astronomy and nature most deeply. However, before he begins to discuss the creation of the universe, he first addresses the gods and goddesses.

Dialogue Text

Socrates: Critias, instead of this, what story could we choose? Considering its appropriateness to the current festival honoring the goddess, there is nothing more suitable than this. Moreover, it is not a fabricated myth, but a story containing profound truths. If we were to abandon this, where else would we find another story? We cannot find one. Therefore, let us leave it to fate, and you speak, while I will listen quietly instead of telling the story from yesterday.

Critias: Now, Socrates, please observe how we have prepared this discussion for you. We thought that Timaios should speak first, as he is the one among us who knows most about astronomy and has studied the nature of the whole universe more diligently than anyone else. He will begin with the creation of the world and end with human nature.

Critias (Continued). Afterwards, I receive the people created by speech from Timaeus, and you tell me that some of them were particularly educated. And according to Solon's account and laws, they are brought before us, as it were, judges, and treated as citizens of this city. They are the Athenians who lived during the time when the records in the temple disappeared. The subsequent narrative will proceed as if these people are already citizens of this city and Athenians.

Socrates: I seem to be about to receive a verbal reception, in its entirety and in a most impressive manner. So, Timaios, it is now your turn to speak. Following custom, it would be good to invoke the gods before you begin.

Timaeus: Socrates, anyone who possesses even a little bit of thoughtfulness calls upon the gods whenever they begin something, whether it is large or small. And now we are about to speak of the entire universe, concerning how it came into being, or perhaps did not come into being at all; therefore, if we have not strayed too far from the truth, we must invoke the gods and goddesses, and pray that everything may be spoken in such a way as to please them most, and then also us.

Timaios (Continued) Let us conclude with this invocation concerning the gods. Next, we must address ourselves directly to you. This will allow you to understand most easily, and it will best demonstrate my own thoughts on the matters I am about to discuss.