← Explore on the interactive map

Neoplatonism

Type Object Region Mediterranean Time c. 1–500

A philosophical current flourishing in the late Roman Empire from the 3rd to 5th centuries CE, led by Plotinus, Porphyry, and Iamblichus, fusing Plat…

Timeline

  1. c. 230–300Rome · ItalyPlotinus taught in Rome for about twenty years; his pupil Porphyry compiled the Enneads, systematically setting out the four-level ontology of One–Intellect–Soul–Matter and the soul's ecstatic ascent, establishing the core Neoplatonist system.
  2. c. 300–400Syria–Asia Minor · LevantIamblichus combined Neoplatonism with Eastern mystery religions and theurgic magic, emphasizing divine mediation and soul-purification rites; Maximinus of Pergamon and others continued this tradition, deeply fusing philosophy with pagan worship.
  3. c. 350–500Alexandria–Athens · GreeceChristian thinkers such as Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysius absorbed Neoplatonist concepts to construct theology; Proclus headed the Academy in Athens until Justinian ordered it closed in 529, ending public teaching of classical philosophy, though its thought reached the Islamic world through Syrian translations.

Sources