From Plato to the Neoplatonists
During the lifetime of Plato there was little if any dissension among his pupils. But after his death in 347 B.C. a decided breach occurred.… Read More »From Plato to the Neoplatonists
neoplatonism
Writings related to Neoplatonism. See also: Plato and Platonism.
Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
The fourth century was the turning point in the history of the Western world, the period in which Christianity took the form of a strong… Read More »Hypatia: The Last of the Neoplatonists
Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Neoplatonism, like modern Theosophy, may be considered under three aspects: (1) philosophical and scientific; (2) practical and ethical; and (3) mystical and occult. In modern… Read More »Iamblichus: The Egyptian Mysteries
Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas, like many other great Teachers, never committed anything to writing. Following the custom of the ancient Hierophants, he transmitted his teachings orally, and… Read More »Plotinus
Ammonius Saccas
The influence of the great Alexandrian Schools had not helped the early Christians in their work of propaganda. While the Church of Rome held up… Read More »Ammonius Saccas
Alexandria and Her Schools
The little island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea, today barren and sterile, was once the home of great Adepts, and the site of the… Read More »Alexandria and Her Schools
Porphyry’s Life of Pythagoras
1. Many think that Pythagoras was the son of Mnesarchus, but they differ as to the latter’s race; some thinking him a Samian, while Neanthes, in… Read More »Porphyry’s Life of Pythagoras
Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras
Chapter I. Importance of the Subject Since wise people are in the habit of invoking the divinities at the beginning of any philosophic consideration, this… Read More »Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras
Plotinus, The Enneads [6:1-9]
Ennead 6.1. Of the Ten Aristotelian and Four Stoic Categories. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CATEGORIES. 1. Very ancient philosophers have investigated the number and kinds of… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [6:1-9]
Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]
Ennead 5.1. The Three Principal Hypostases, or Forms of Existence. AUDACITY THE CAUSE OF HUMAN APOSTASY FROM THE DIVINITY. 1. How does it happen that… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [5:1-9]
Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]
Ennead 4.1. Of the Being of the Soul. It is in the intelligible world that dwells veritable being. Intelligence is the best that there is… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [4:1-9]
Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]
Ennead 3.1. Concerning Fate. POSSIBLE THEORIES ABOUT FATE. 1. The first possibility is that there is a cause both for the things that become, and… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [3:1-9]
Plotinus, The Enneads [2:1-9]
Ennead 2.1. Of the Heaven. HEAVEN, THOUGH IN FLUX, PERPETUATES ITSELF BY FORM. 1. Nothing will be explained by the perfectly true (Stoic) statement that… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [2:1-9]
Plotinus, The Enneads [1:1-9]
Ennead 1.1. The Organism and the Self. PSYCHOLOGIC DISTINCTIONS IN SOUL. 1. To what part of our nature do pleasure and grief, fear and boldness… Read More »Plotinus, The Enneads [1:1-9]
Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus, and Order of His Writings
I. Plotinus, like Porphyry, Despised His Physical Nature, but a Picture of Him was Secured. Plotinus the philosopher, who lived recently, seemed ashamed of having… Read More »Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus, and Order of His Writings
Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food
Book One 1. Hearing from some of our acquaintance, O Firmus,1 that you, having rejected a fleshless diet, have again returned to animal food, at… Read More »Porphyry, On Abstinence from Animal Food
Iamblichus on The Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians
Full title: IAMBLICHUS ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE EGYPTIANS, CHALDEANS, AND ASSYRIANS TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK, BY THOMAS TAYLOR ———— Ο δε Αρισοτελης προς Αντιπατρον… Read More »Iamblichus on The Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians
Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato
Introduction Of that golden chain of philosophers, who, having themselves happily penetrated, luminously unfolded to others the profundities of the philosophy of Plato, Proclus is… Read More »Proclus, Commentary on the Timaeus of Plato
Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
[Note:] Several of these sentences as published by Arcerius, are in a very defective state; but which, as the learned reader will perceive, I have… Read More »Pythagoric Sentences, from the Protreptics of Iamblichus
Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras, or Pythagoric Life
Full title: IAMBLICHUS’ LIFE OF PYTHAGORAS OR PYTHAGORIC LIFE. ACCOMPANIED BY FRAGMENTS OF THE ETHICAL WRITINGS OF CERTAIN PYTHAGOREANS IN THE DORIC DIALECT; AND A… Read More »Iamblichus’s Life of Pythagoras, or Pythagoric Life
Proclus, The Elements of Theology
Foreword This admirable work contains two hundred and eleven propositions, disposed in a scientific order, and supported by the firmest demonstrations. They begin from the… Read More »Proclus, The Elements of Theology
On the Theology of Plato, a Seventh Book
Chapter I. The mundane Gods, or those divinities who give completion to the sensible world, are assigned the last order of deific progression, as we… Read More »On the Theology of Plato, a Seventh Book
Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
Book I. Chapter I. O Pericles, to me the dearest of friends, I am of opinion that the whole philosophy of Plato was at first… Read More »Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
Introduction to Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
I rejoice in the opportunity which is afforded me of presenting the truly philosophic reader, in the present work, with a treasure of Grecian theology;… Read More »Introduction to Proclus, On the Theology of Plato
The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus
All these Symbols are exhortatory in common to the whole of virtue; but particularly each to some particular virtue. Different Symbols also are differently adapted… Read More »The Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explanations of Iamblichus
Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”
[Introduction] Marinus, the author of the ensuing life, was the disciple of Proclus, and his successor in the Athenian school. His philosophical writings were not… Read More »Marinus’s Life of Proclus, or “Concerning Felicity”