Neoplatonic Philosophy: Introductory Readings

The most comprehensive collection of Neoplatonic writings available in English, this volume provides translations of the central texts of four major figures of the Neoplatonic tradition: Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus, and Proclus. The general Introduction gives an overview of the period and takes a brief but revealing look at the history of ancient philosophy from the viewpoint of the Neoplatonists. Historical background -- essential for understanding these powerful, difficult, and sometimes obscure thinkers -- is provided in extensive footnotes, which also include cross-references to other works relevant to particular passages.