Meaning: This quote, attributed to Anna Comnena, offers a poignant reflection on the passage of time and its impact on the fate of all things. The words convey a sense of inevitability and transience, illustrating the relentless nature of time as it sweeps everything along in its current, ultimately consigning all existence to obscurity.

Anna Comnena was a Byzantine princess, scholar, physician, and historian who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries. She is best known for her work "The Alexiad," an important historical account of the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. This quote, while not directly attributed to a specific work of Anna Comnena, reflects her deep understanding of the passage of time and its impact on the world around her.

In her quote, Comnena captures the universal experience of impermanence and the inevitable march of time. The image of time as an "irresistible and ceaseless flow" suggests an unstoppable force, indifferent to the fate of all that it carries along in its current. This portrayal aligns with the broader philosophical and literary tradition of memento mori, a reminder of the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of earthly existence.

The metaphor of time as a flood that "carries along on its flood all created things" evokes a sense of overwhelming force and inevitability. It speaks to the idea that everything in the created world is subject to the relentless passage of time, which shapes and ultimately submerges all things in its depths. This imagery underscores the transient and ephemeral nature of human endeavors and the physical world, highlighting the insignificance of individual achievements in the grand scheme of time's inexorable march.

Furthermore, Comnena's use of the phrase "drowns them in the depths of obscurity" conveys a sense of finality and anonymity. This notion of obscurity suggests that, over time, all things are destined to be forgotten or lost in the annals of history. It reflects the idea that, despite the significance or impact of any given creation or existence, the passage of time will eventually consign it to the realm of obscurity, where it becomes indistinguishable from the countless other ephemeral phenomena that have been similarly engulfed by the relentless flow of time.

In essence, Anna Comnena's quote encapsulates a profound meditation on the universal experience of transience and the inexorable nature of time. It serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of human existence and the impermanence of all things. While the quote may evoke a sense of melancholy or resignation, it also invites reflection on the enduring legacy of time itself, which shapes and reshapes the world in its ceaseless flow.

In conclusion, Anna Comnena's quote offers a timeless reflection on the impact of time on all created things, highlighting the inevitability of obscurity and the transient nature of human existence. Through her eloquent words, Comnena invites us to contemplate the profound implications of time's ceaseless flow and its ultimate influence on the fate of all things.