Damascius: The Philosophical History

by Damascius, Polymnia Athanassiadi (Translator)

This new edition features the Greek text reconstructed from Photius' Epitome and Suidas' Lexicon with critical apparatus, English translation, commentary, and a full historical introduction; there are three appendices, a bibliography, indices, and tables of concordance between the present edition and Zintzen's (Vitae Isidori Reliquiae.) Written in the early sixth century by the head of the Platonic Academy in Athens, this work tells the story of the pagan community from the late fourth century AD. The critical landmarks of this 'anti-ecclesiastical' history are the destruction of the Serapeion in 391 and the persecution of the pagan intelligentsia of Alexandria in 488/9. (The Philisophical History) also establishes a sacred geography of paganism, comprising not merely intellectual centres like Athens, Alexandria and Aphrodisias but sacred sites in the countryside of the Greater Eastern Mediterranean as well. Offering a panorama of the spiritual life of late antiquity from a pagan perspective, the book puts on stage orthodox and heretical exegetes of Hellinism - rhetors, philosophers, iatrosophists, poets, politicians and holy men and women. The linguistic, historical and philisophical commentary on the reconstructed text allows the solution of several prospographical enigmas, while providing at the same time fresh comparative evidence for the study of the period's historiographical methodology. Greek text, critical apparatus, English translation, commentary, historical introduction, appendices, bibliography, indices, and tables of concordance between the present edition and Zinten's

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 530

About the author

Damascius (/dəˈmæʃəs/; Greek: Δαμάσκιος, c. 458 – after 538), known as "the last of the Neoplatonists," was the last scholarch of the School of Athens. He was one of the pagan philosophers persecuted by Justinian in the early 6th century, and was forced for a time to seek refuge in the Persian court, before being allowed back into the Empire. His surviving works consist of three commentaries on the works of Plato, and a metaphysical text entitled Difficulties and Solutions of First Principles.

Reviews

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was engrossing. Really interesting anecdotes. Loved the brief mentions of women involved in the Platonic schools. What happened in Late Antiquity is really awful.

[عادل الديري · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most essential references in Neo-Platonic philosophy. This book not only is about the Life of Isidore (the author's teacher and source of inspiration) as indicated in the original title given to the book, but it also is a complete reference to the history of philosophy, history of philosophers and the christian-pagan struggle triggered in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean from Alexandria to Athens going through all Syrian and Arabian cities (in Roman geographical provincial terms).
Most importantly, the author "Damascius" -A Syrian philosopher from Damascus city- was the last ideological fighter for Neo-Platonic philosophy and Greek paganism, and the last director of the Platonic Academy in Athens.