O'Meara, Dominic J.

Professor of Philosophy, University of Fribourg

Pythagoras Revived
Mathematics and Philosophy in Late Antiquity Print ISBN 0198239130, 1990

a!le o" #ontents Intro u!tion P"rt I#he $eviv"l %f Pyth"gore"nis& In the Neopl"toni! S!hool 1'("rieties of Pyth"gore"nis& in the Se!on "n #hir )enturies *+ 9 1' Nu&enius of *p"&e" 10 2' Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s" 13' *n"tolius 23 -' Porphyry 2. 2'I"&bli!hus/ 0or1 On Pythagoreanism2 #itle, Pl"n, the First Four Boo1s 30 1' #he #itle "n %ver"ll Pl"n 32 2' Pyth"gor"s 3Boo1 I2 On the Pythagorean Life4 3. 3' Pyth"gore"n Philosophy 3Boo1 II2 the Protreptic4 -0 -' Pyth"gore"n 5"the&"ti!"l S!ien!e 3Boo1 III2 On General Mathematical Science4 -.' *rith&eti! 3Boo1 I(2 On Nicomachus' Arithmetical Introduction4 .1 3'On Pythagoreanism ( 6 (II2 #he 78!erpts in 5i!h"el Psellus .3 1' 5i!h"el Psellus, Philosophi!"l 78!erptor .3 2' Psellus/ 78!erpts fro& On Pythagoreanism ( 6 (II .9 3' On Pythagoreanism ( :0 3i4 ,ener"l Pl"n :0 3ii4 Physi!"l Nu&ber :2 3iii4 For&"l "n 5"teri"l )"us"tion :2 3iv4 7ffi!ient )"us"tion :3v4 )h"nge :3vi4 Pl"!e :: 3vii4 #he (oi :9 3viii4 )on!lusion :8
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-' On Pythagoreanism (I 90 3i4 ,ener"l Pl"n 90 3ii4 #he First Prin!iples of 7thi!s 91 3iii4 #he Po;ers of the Soul 92 3iv4 (irtue 93 3v4 P"rti!ul"r (irtues 93vi4 )on!lusion 9. .' On Pythagoreanism (II 9: 3i4 ,ener"l Pl"n 9: 3ii4 +ivine Nu&ber 99 3iii4 #he *ppro"!h by *n"logy 81 3iv4 )on!lusion 8-'I"&bli!hus/ 0or1 On Pythagoreanism2 ,ener"l )on!lusions 8: 1' On Pythagoreanism2 * Brief $evie; 89 2' #he $el"tion of On Pythagoreanism to I"&bli!hus/ %ther 0or1s "n Interests 91 3' I"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis& "n its Pre e!essors 101 P"rt III"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis& In the *theni"n S!hool .'<iero!les 109 1' #he Intro u!tion of I"&bli!he"n Philosophy "t *thens in the Fourth )entury 110 2' <iero!les on the <istory of Philosophy 111 3' Pyth"gore"nis& in <iero!les/ Commentary on the Golden Verses 11-' )on!lusion 118 :'Syri"nus 119 1' #he <istory of Philosophy in Syri"nus 119 2' Philosophy "s $evel"tion in <er&i"s/ Commentary on the Phaedrus 123' 5"the&"ti!s "n Philosophy in Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics 128 3i4 Syri"nus/ Commentary "n I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism 128 3ii4 #he #rip"rtite Stru!ture of $e"lity in Syri"nus 131
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3iii4 Nu&ber "n the Soul 132 3iv4 /Physi!"l Nu&ber/ 133v4 Nu&ber in 5et"physi!s 13. 3vi4 Syri"nus "n I"&bli!hus 138 Pro!lus2 So&e Preli&in"ry Issues 1-2 1' #he $iv"lry ;ith the 5"the&"ti!i"n +o&ninus of ="riss" 1-3 2' Pl"to "n Pyth"gor"s 1-. 3' #he #heory of Superior Souls 1-9 -' =e"rning, +is!overy, "n $evel"tion 1.2 Pro!lus on 5"the&"ti!s 1.: 1' ,ener"l 5"the&"ti!s 1.9 3i4 I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III "n Pro!lus/ On uclid Prol' I 1.9 3ii4 Pro!lus/ $evisions of I"&bli!hus 1:2' *rith&eti! "n 3or>4 ,eo&etry 1:: 3' ,eo&etry 190 3i4 #he )o&position of On uclid Prol' II 190 3ii4 7u!li "s Pl"tonist 190 3iii4 #he 5etho of ,eo&etry 191 3iv4 #he #r"nsposition of ,eo&etry 193 -' )on!lusions 19. 5"the&"ti!s "n Physi!s in Pro!lus 199 1' *ristotle/s Physi!s ,eo&etri!i?e 199 2' Pl"to/s !imaeus "s /Pyth"gore"n/ Physi!s 199 3' #he ,eo&etri!"l 5etho of Pl"to/s Physi!s 181 -' Is Physi!s " S!ien!e> 182 .' #he *ppli!"tion of 5"the&"ti!"l #ruths in Physi!s 18. :' )on!lu ing )o&&ent 192 5"the&"ti!s "n 5et"physi!s in Pro!lus 19. 1' #he lements of !heology2 * ,eo&etri!"l 5et"physi!s> 19: 2' #he S!ien!e of +i"le!ti! 198 3' 5"the&"ti!"l #heology "n +i"le!ti! 20-' )on!lu ing )o&&ent 208 )on!lusion 210
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*ppen i!es I' #he 78!erpts fro& I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ( 6 (II in Psellus2 #e8t, #r"nsl"tion, "n Notes 219 II' #he *r"bi! )o&&ent"ries on the Golden Verses "ttribute to I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus 230 Bibliogr"phy 233 1' *n!ient *uthors 233 2' 5o ern *uthors 23: In e8 2-9
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Pre"ace $ese"r!h begun &"ny ye"rs "go ;ith the support of " @unior "n (isiting Fello;ship "t the +u&b"rton %"1s )enter for By?"ntine Stu ies brought &e to the te8ts "n theses e8plore in this boo1' * s"bb"ti!"l gr"nt "n generous le"ve of "bsen!e fro& #he )"tholi! University of *&eri!" "n " gr"nt provi e in i e"l !ir!u&st"n!es by the *le8"n er von <u&bol t6Stiftung "llo;e &e to evelop these theses' )o&pletion of the boo1 ;"s &" e possible by the support &" e "v"il"ble by the UniversitA e Fribourg' I "& "lso &u!h in ebte to frien s "n !olle"gues for their "ssist"n!e' <enri6+o&iniBue S"ffrey &" e &"ny helpful suggestions "n !orre!tions for ;hi!h I "& gr"teful, "s I "& to %8for University Press/s re" er for !onstru!tive "n et"ile !o&&ents' Ilsetr"ut <" ot "lso propose i&prove&ents to the boo1, ;hi!h is in ebte to her rese"r!h "s it is to the ;or1 of Pierre <" ot, " longst"n ing sour!e of inspir"tion for &e' =een ert 0esterin1 "n @ohn +uffy ;ere unf"iling in their e8pert "ssist"n!e' I "& p"rti!ul"rly gr"teful to 0erner Beier;"ltes2 he put &e on the tr"!1 of I"&bli!hus "n g"ve &e inv"lu"ble " vi!e "n help uring &y st"y in Freiburg6i&6Breisg"u "n 5uni!h' #he efi!ien!ies th"t re&"in in the boo1 "re of !ourse &ine' 5y ;ife )"rr" g"ve &y ;or1 her full en!our"ge&ent "n support throughout &"ny ye"rs' *&y 7ihol?er6Silver prep"re the types!ripts of the fin"l revisions of the boo1 ;ith intelligent !"re' In "n effort to si&plify footnotes "s f"r "s possible, I h"ve " opte the pr"!ti!e of referring to &o ern ;or1s by the n"&e of the "uthor "n the ye"r of publi!"tion2 further et"ils &"y be foun in the se!on p"rt of the Bibliogr"phy' #he te8ts of "n!ient "uthors "re !ite by p"ge "n line in the e itions liste in the first p"rt of the Bibliogr"phy 3for fr"g&ents, by fr"g&ent nu&ber "n line4' In !"ses ;here this see&e "ppropri"te, I h"ve " e " !h"pter nu&ber before the p"ge referen!e 3e'g' I !h' 2, 3Cvol' I, !h"pter 2, p"ge 34' #r"nsl"tions "re &ine, unless other;ise note ' #he follo;ing st"n "r "bbrevi"tions "re use 2 CAG Commentaria in Aristotelem Graeca, Berlin, 1890 ff' "# <' +iels, 0' Dr"n?, "ie $ragmente der Vorso%rati%er, Berlin, 19.2'
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=S@ =i ell, S!ott, @ones, Gree%E nglish Le&icon' ' P"uly, 0isso;", Droll, 'ealencyclop(die der classischen Altertums)issenschaft' SV$ Stoicorum *eterum fragmenta, e ' <' von *rni&, =eip?ig, 190.62-'

#his boo1 ;"s !o&plete e"rly in 198:' I h"ve trie to in!lu e &ention of ;h"t h"s been publishe sin!e, but h"ve only been "ble to t"1e "!!ount to " li&ite e8tent in p"rti!ul"r of the i&port"nt P"ris !olloBuiu& on Pro!lus2 Proclus+ lecteur et interpr,te des anciens, e ' @' PApin, <'6+' S"ffrey, P"ris 1989' +'@'%/5' $ri-ourg+ S)it.erland Christmas /012
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Intro u!tion
sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
Plotinus h" been e" so&e thirty ye"rs ;hen his pupil Porphyry publishe on the threshol of the fourth !entury *+ the efinitive e ition of his &"ster/s ;or1s' Porphyry/s e ition opene ;ith " biogr"phy of Plotinus, the Vita Plotini, th"t ;"s inten e , "&ong other things, to intro u!e the re" er to Plotinus "s the figure of the i e"l philosopher' Inspire by this &o el "n by the ;is o& "n other;orl ly serenity th"t it pro&ise , the re" er ;oul &ove on to re" the Plotini"n tr"!t"tes th"t follo;e ' #hese tr"!t"tes Porphyry ivi e "n groupe in si8 sets of nine ;or1s 3/7nne" s/4 "n "rr"nge the sets in su!h " ;"y th"t their seBuen!e le the &in of the re" er up fro& the &"teri"l ;orl , through ever higher levels, to the sour!e of "ll re"lity, the %ne' #hus Porphyry/s e ition, t"1en "s " ;hole 3Vita "n nneads4, !onstitute " syste&"ti! intro u!tion, initi"tion, "n p"th to the highest truths of philosophy' Porphyry/s e ition !oul give his !onte&por"ries every re"son to feel !onfi ent in the strength "n pro&ise of their "n!ient philosophi!"l !ulture2 Plotinus h" brought together ;ith !onsi er"ble su!!ess the &"ny philosophi!"l ten en!ies of pre!e ing !enturies into " ;hole th"t !"&e "stonishingly !lose to Pl"to, if not "l;"ys in o!trine, !ert"inly in e&otion"l "n spiritu"l po;er, in intelle!tu"l epth, "n in the pro&ise of " !o&prehensive un erst"n ing of re"lity' #hese Bu"lities in Plotinus/ philosophy h" "lre" y "ttr"!te the "ttention "n " &ir"tion of &"ny i&port"nt &en of letters "n of "!tion, p"g"n "s ;ell "s )hristi"n' ,ree1 philosophy, it see&e , h" "!Buire in Plotinus "n in his s!hool ne; vigour' #his ;"s in ee the !"se' Philosophi!"l s!hools spr"ng up "n evelope throughout the 7"stern p"rt of the $o&"n 7&pire un er the ire!t "n in ire!t inspir"tion of Plotinus/ fun "&ent"l i e"s' $
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)f' Blu&enth"l 319814F &u!h re&"ins to be investig"te !on!erning the ;"ys in ;hi!h Plotinus ;"s re" "n !riti!i?e by l"ter Neopl"tonists su!h "s I"&bli!hus 3" subGe!t I hope to is!uss else;here4 "n Pro!lus, ;ho ;rote " Commentary on Plotinus'

Porphyry/s pupil I"&bli!hus set up " s!hool in Syri" ;hi!h in turn !ontribute to " reviv"l of Pl"toni! philosophy "t *thens in the fifth
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!entury' #he first &"Gor figures of the *theni"n s!hool, Syri"nus "n Pro!lus, h" "&ong their pupils philosophers, in p"rti!ul"r *&&onius, ;ho ;oul be responsible for "n i&port"nt perio in the life of Pl"toni! philosophy "t *le8"n ri", pro u!ing influenti"l !o&&ent"tors on *ristotle su!h "s @ohn Philoponus' 7ven ;hen the *theni"n s!hool ;"s !lose by i&peri"l e!ree in .29 %
%

)f' Blu&enth"l 319984'

it in!lu e t;o &"Gor philosophers, +"&"s!ius "n Si&pli!ius' *n the Pl"toni! s!hool "t *le8"n ri" &"n"ge to !"rry on, th"n1s, it "ppe"rs, to its h"ving re"!he "n un erst"n ing ;ith !hur!h "uthorities' #his l"st, e8tre&ely yn"&i! "n fruitful perio in the history of ,ree1 philosophy h"s in re!ent ye"rs been re!eiving the "ttention it eserves' #he philosophi!"l "n s!ientifi! interest of the i e"s of I"&bli!hus, Philoponus, Si&pli!ius, "n others h"s been stresse ' &
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)f' Sor"bGi 319834, 319894F S"&burs1y 319:24'

#he i&port"nt role l"te *ntiBue Pl"tonis& 3or /Neopl"tonis&/4 pl"ye in the evelop&ent of philosophy in the Isl"&i!, By?"ntine, "n 0estern 5e iev"l ;orl s is better 1no;n' <o;ever, &u!h re&"ins to be investig"te ' In p"rti!ul"r the evelop&ent of Neopl"toni! philosophy in the perio bet;een Plotinus "n the *theni"n "n *le8"n ri"n s!hools of the fifth "n si8th !enturies is very f"r fro& being un erstoo ' #his h"s to o pri&"rily ;ith the f"!t th"t, if the ;or1s of Plotinus "n of l"te Neopl"tonists su!h "s Pro!lus "n Si&pli!ius h"ve in l"rge p"rt survive , the s"&e is not true of the philosophers ;ho !"&e bet;een the&' In p"rti!ul"r "l&ost "ll the &"Gor philosophi!"l ;or1s of Porphyry "n I"&bli!hus h"ve is"ppe"re 2 "ll th"t re&"ins "s evi en!e for their i e"s "re so&e &inor ;or1s, fr"g&ents, "n Buot"tions "n reports to be foun in l"ter "uthors su!h "s Pro!lus' Fro& su!h bits "n pie!es " re!onstru!tion &ust be "tte&pte , ;ithout ;hi!h the history of ,ree1 Neopl"tonis& !"nnot be ;ritten' '
'

For Porphyry !f' P' <" ot 319:84, S&ith 3199-4F the t"s1 of re!onstru!tion is &" e "ll the &ore iffi!ult in th"t the reports in l"ter "uthors !"nnot be tre"te un!riti!"lly, i'e' "s if their pre!ise sour!e nee not be i entifie "n "s if these "uthors o not report in ter&s of their o;n philosophi!"l perspe!tives2 on this proble& !f' Steel 319984, 12613F ,ersh 319984, 968'

* p"rti!ul"rly iffi!ult proble& in this reg"r is pose by the !"se of Porphyry/s pupil I"&bli!hus' Both the l"ter Neopl"tonists "n &o ern rese"r!h "gree th"t I"&bli!hus ;"s l"rgely responsible for !h"nging Plotinus/ philosophy so th"t it ;oul t"1e the for& it h"s l"ter, for e8"&ple, in Pro!lus' (
(

)f' Pr"e!hter/s pioneering ;or1 319104, 319324F Steel 319984, 12'

Signifi!"nt progress h"s been &" e in

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the stu y of I"&bli!hus in re!ent ye"rs' In p"rti!ul"r the fr"g&ents re&"ining of his !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to h"ve been !olle!te , tr"nsl"te , "n is!usse by +illon 319934 "n " first synthesis b"se on " l"rge bo y of evi en!e h"s been presente by ="rsen 319924' <o;ever, &u!h re&"ins un!le"r "bout the precise ;"ys in ;hi!h I"&bli!hus "ltere the !ourse of Neopl"toni! philosophy' #o un erst"n this ;e ;oul nee to fin out &ore "bout I"&bli!hus/ philosophi!"l i e"s "n the ;"ys in ;hi!h they ;ere !onveye to, "n use by his su!!essors' In this boo1 I propose so&e "ns;ers to the Buestion of I"&bli!hus/ pl"!e in the history of l"te ,ree1 philosophy, using evi en!e th"t h"s, in this reg"r , never been e8ploite ' Besi es pl"ying " pivot"l role in l"ter Neopl"tonis& ;e "lso 1no; th"t I"&bli!hus "tte&pte to revive Pyth"gore"nis& 3in so&e sense4 "s " philosophy' )
)

)f' Pr"e!hter 319104, 193F <"r er 3192:4, 8vi ff'F Bur1ert 319924, 98F S?le?H1 319994, 3.'

In ee the first four boo1s of " ;or1 he evote to Pyth"gore"nis& "re still e8t"nt' I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism ;"s further&ore, "s I sh"ll sho;, 1no;n to "n use "t *thens by Syri"nus "n Pro!lus' #his ;or1 then not only "llo;s us "!!ess to so&e of I"&bli!hus/ philosophi!"l i e"s' It "lso provi es " !on!rete lin1 bet;een hi& "n his philosophi!"l su!!essors' *s yet, ho;ever, I"&bli!hus/ reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis& h"s not been e8"&ine , his ;or1 On Pythagoreanism E for re"sons to be note l"ter E not given &u!h ;eight, "n the i&port"n!e of this ;or1 "n &ore gener"lly of his reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis& for the history of l"ter Neopl"tonis& l"rgely ignore ' In is!ussing this evi en!e I hope to sho; th"t it !"n serve to she ne; light on " nu&ber of spe!ifi! "re"s in the history of ,ree1 philosophy "fter Plotinus' 7ver sin!e Pl"to "n his *!" e&y Pl"tonists h"ve sho;n gre"t interest in the figure of Pyth"gor"s "n " strong in!lin"tion to /Pyth"gore"ni?e/' In or er then to "ssess properly I"&bli!hus/ "tte&pt to revive Pyth"gore"nis& "s " philosophy it ;ill be ne!ess"ry first to survey v"rious Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies "&ong his i&&e i"te philosophi!"l pre e!essors 3)h"pter 14' #he "n"lysis of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;ill then begin ;ith " stu y of the first four e8t"nt boo1s of the ;or1 3On Pythagoreanism4 he evote to the subGe!t 3)h"pter 24' *lthough the re&"ining boo1s of this ;or1 no longer survive, it h"s re!ently been possible to re!over e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (6(II preserve in " By?"ntine "uthor, 5i!h"el Psellus' #hese e8!erpts "re e8"&ine here for the first ti&e 3)h"pter 34' #his ne;
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&"teri"l &"1es possible " better ev"lu"tion of the i&port"n!e of On Pythagoreanism' It ;ill be sho;n further&ore 3)h"pter -4 th"t ;h"t ;e 1no; of I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1s in i!"tes th"t there "lso he Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy, "n i&port"nt !onseBuen!e of ;hi!h ;"s " strong &"the&"ti?ing of this philosophy'

In P"rt #;o of the boo1 the i&p"!t of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing of Neopl"tonis& ;ill be is!usse ;ith referen!e in p"rti!ul"r to the *theni"n S!hool "t its beginnings in the fifth !entury 3)h"pter .4, "s represente by Syri"nus 3)h"pter :4 "n by Syri"nus/ brilli"nt "n very influenti"l su!!essor Pro!lus 3)h"pters 96104' In these !h"pters I sh"ll sho; th"t I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism "n &ore gener"lly his Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;ere f"&ili"r to Syri"nus "n Pro!lus "n &"y be use "s provi ing "n "ppro"!h to their thought in ;hi!h the e8tent to ;hi!h they ;ere inspire by "n "lso &ove ";"y fro& I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e &"y be &e"sure ' 5ost e&ph"sis ;ill be given to Pro!lus, not only on "!!ount of his histori!"l i&port"n!e "n of the f"!t th"t &u!h of his ;or1 survives, but "lso be!"use he see&s to h"ve re"!te !riti!"lly "n reGe!te in !ert"in respe!ts I"&bli!hus/ reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis&, " response th"t thro;s light on the !onstitution of his philosophy' #he re" er ;ill infer fro& the "bove th"t ;h"t follo;s is li&ite in its "&bitions' 5y purpose is to bring out ;h"t infor&"tion !"n be foun in so&e une8ploite "n in so&e ne; evi en!e !on!erning " p"rti!ul"r the&e "n perio in the history of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' %ne perspe!tive ;ill serve "s gui e, n"&ely the reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis& vie;e "s " !l"i& both "bout the origins "n "bout the n"ture of Pl"toni! philosophy' %nly the ;or1s of " fe;, sele!te philosophers ;ill be is!usse ' #here "re of !ourse other the&es, other philosophers th"t ;oul nee to be !onsi ere "lso, ;ere " !o&prehensive history of l"ter Neopl"tonis& to be "tte&pte ' *
*

%ne i&port"nt the&e th"t ;oul reBuire is!ussion is the role pl"ye by /)h"l "e"n/ or"!les "n theurgy, on ;hi!h !f' =e;y 319.:4, S"ffrey 3198-4, Sh"; 3198.4, for e8"&ple'

#his boo1 is li&ite further&ore in th"t it tou!hes on &"the&"ti!s only in so f"r "s &"the&"ti!s, un er the pressure of Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies, be!"&e " subGe!t of in!re"sing interest to philosophers in l"te *ntiBuity "n !"&e to &"r1 their theories' #he history of &"the&"ti!s per se in l"te *ntiBuity is not therefore !onsi ere ' Nor is the Buestion of the origins "n origin"l o!trines of Pyth"gore"nis&' Iet " better "ppre!i"tion of ho; Neopl"toni! philosophers "ppropri"te Pyth"gore"n
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i e"s, &"1ing the& e8press &u!h l"ter philosophi!"l evelop&ents, &"y be of use in the !ritiBue of &o ern ten en!ies to !onfuse Pyth"gore"ni?ing Neopl"tonis& ;ith "n!ient Pyth"gore"nis&' *n in the sense th"t the history of Pyth"gor"s "n of his thought is essenti"lly the history of his legen in l"ter ti&es, one &ight !onsi er "s p"rt too of th"t history the "!!ount of ho; philosophers in the l"st !enturies of the $o&"n 7&pire foun in Pyth"gor"s "n "uthority "n " sti&ulus for the evelop&ent of theories of !onsi er"ble sophisti!"tion "n origin"lity'
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Part + he Revival o" Pythagoreanism in the ,eoplatonic -chool

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$ ("rieties of Pyth"gore"nis& in the Se!on "n #hir )enturies *+

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
* !o&plete "!!ount of Pyth"gore"nis& "n of Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies in the se!on "n thir !enturies *+ ;oul reBuire " tre"t&ent going f"r beyon the s!ope of this !h"pter' %ne ;oul nee to is!uss Buestions su!h "s these2 +i there e8ist uring this perio Pyth"gore"n or Neopyth"gore"n /se!ts/> 0ho belonge to these se!ts, if in ee they e8iste > 0"s *&&onius, Plotinus/ te"!her, " &e&ber> %r shoul he be !onsi ere , "long ;ith others su!h "s 7u orus "n 5o er"tus, "s &erely " Pl"tonist ;ho ;"s in!line to Pyth"gore"ni?e> 0h"t "re ;e to &"1e in this !onte8t of su!h /Pyth"gore"n/ figures "s *pollonius of #y"n" "n *le8"n er of *bonotei!hus> 0h"t is the rel"tion bet;een the Pyth"gore"nis& of this perio "n e"rlier for&s of Pyth"gore"nis&> +oes "nything of "n!ient Pyth"gore"nis& still survive "t this ti&e> *n " eBu"te "ppro"!h to these &"tters ;oul reBuire the !olle!tion "n "n"lysis of "n e8tre&ely v"rie "n ;i ely s!"ttere bo y of evi en!e, both liter"ry "n "r!h"eologi!"l, p"g"n "n )hristi"n' $
$

)f' e'g' Bur1ert 319:14F +Jrrie 319:34F *r&strong 319:94, 90610: 35erl"n4F +illon 319994, !h' 9' %n 7u orus !f' Bur1ert 319924, .3F )herniss 3199:4, 1:-6., 19061F +illon 319994, 11. ff' %n *&&onius !f' S!h;y?er 319834' %n 5o er"tus !f' nn' 8, -:, .2 belo;'

#he purpose of this intro u!tory !h"pter is by !o&p"rison very li&ite 2 to supply so&e points of referen!e in rel"tion to ;hi!h I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e to Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy !"n be better un erstoo ' I propose to sele!t four thin1ers ;ho provi e i&&e i"te pre!e ents to ;h"t I"&bli!hus "tte&pte in this progr"&&e, t;o of the& ;ell 1no;n to I"&bli!hus through their ;or1s, Nu&enius "n Ni!o&"!hus, "n t;o of the& his te"!hers, *n"tolius "n Porphyry' In is!ussing these four pre e!essors of I"&bli!hus, I sh"ll "tte&pt to s1et!h their i e"s !on!erning t;o gener"l issues th"t ;ill e&erge "s !entr"l in I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e2 3i4 the role of Pyth"gor"s in the history of philosophy "n &ore gener"lly in &"n/s se"r!h for ;is o&, "n 3ii4 the rel"tion bet;een the Pyth"gore"n
en p'9

&"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es 3"rith&eti!, geo&etry, "strono&y, "n &usi!4 "n philosophy 3"n its p"rts4'

1' Nu&enius of *p"&e"

If ;e 1no; little "bout the life of Nu&eniusEGust enough to "te hi& to the se!on !entury %
%

)f' Nu&enius, $ragments, p' 9F +illon 319994, 3:2'

E;e 1no; " goo e"l &ore "bout his i e"s, th"n1s to the interest t"1en in hi& by the Neopl"tonists "n by )hristi"n "uthors' <e ;"s re" "n is!usse in Plotinus/ le!turesF he ;"s Buote by PorphyryF "n I"&bli!hus thought hi& i&port"nt enough to "!!use Neopl"toni! !olle"guesEPorphyry, <"rpo!r"tion, #heo ore of *sine, "n perh"ps *&eliusEof p"rroting hi&' &
&

)f' =ee&"ns 319394, !est' nos' 18620, ;ith =e;y 319.:4, .03 n' 23F I"&bli!hus is e8ploiting "n ol !h"rge &" e "g"inst Plotinus 3Porphyry, Vit3 Plot' 19, 16:4'

<e is referre to "s " /Pyth"gore"n/ both by Porphyry "n by the )hristi"ns %rigen "n 7usebius' '
'

Nu&enius, frs' 1 ", 1 b, 1 !, - b, 2-, 29, .2 3the te8ts in )"l!i ius "n Ne&esius prob"bly erive fro& Porphyry, !f' 0"s?in1 K19:-L, 11, 2.4'

#his &"y h"ve been Nu&enius/ o;n es!ription of hi&self, sin!e it !orrespon s, "s ;ill be seen, to his origin"l vie;s "bout the history of ,ree1 philosophy "n to the purpose he ;ishe his ;or1 to "!!o&plish in th"t history' *n yet if he is pl"!e in the !onte8t of his o;n ti&e, he is best un erstoo "s p"rt of " ;i espre" "n v"rie effort in the first !enturies *+ to interpret Pl"to/s i"logues so "s to re"!h " syste&"ti! Pl"toni! og&"' (
(

0"s?in1 319::4, 3969F %/5e"r" 3199.4, !h' 1'

Nu&enius ;rote " re&"r1"ble boo1 on the history of philosophy so&e e8tr"!ts of ;hi!h "re Buote by 7usebius 3frs' 2-684' #he title of the boo1, On the "issension -et)een the Academics and Plato , intro u!es the o&in"nt the&e, th"t of issension, !onfli!t, ;"r' #he the&e of " /;"r/ bet;een philosophers is !onvention"l' )
)

)f' 5"8i&us of #yre, Or' 2:, 310, -61.' #he ter& MN OPQONR in Nu&enius/ title refers &ore te!hni!"lly to the ist"n!ing "n !onfront"tion prep"r"tory to b"ttle 3!f' Nu&enius, frs' 2-, -1F 2., 8: "n 10-4'

But Nu&enius evelops it in interesting ;"ys' It h"s first " politi!"l signifi!"n!e' It refers to the isputes th"t in!re"singly tore "p"rt Pl"to/s s!hool, the *!" e&y 3frs' 2., 294' Su!h strifeE" !h"r"!teristi! of those isput"tions &"teri"lists "n &ost belli!ose of philosophers, the Stoi!s 3fr' 2-, 39 ff'4Epro u!e " &"lfun!tioning "n unh"ppy *!" e&y to ;hi!h Nu&enius opposes the fi elity to the 5"ster "n unity of &in of the Pyth"gore"ns "n of
en p'10

the 7pi!ure"ns 3fr' 2-, 1863:4' Nu&enius is relu!t"nt to refer to the l"tter 3notorious "n ignoble &"teri"lists th"t they "reS4, but he &ust2 their pe"!eful un"ni&ity pro u!es " true, i e"l !o&&unity ;hi!h st"n s "s " !onst"nt repro"!h to the sBu"bblings of Pl"to/s su!!essors 3!f' fr' 2-, 336:4' *ll this is re&inis!ent of the !ontr"st epi!te in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic bet;een the pe"!eful unity of &in of the !orre!tly6fun!tioning goo st"te "n the self6 estru!tive issensions "n !onfli!ts of the &"lfun!tioning evil st"te' *
*

)f' the T UVNQ "n TVMVW Q of Pl"to/s Gust st"te 3'ep' -32 ", -33 !4, "n the T PQXVY , ZVY[Z Q\TVO U] "n OP ONR in the evil st"te 3!f' -3- b4' Nu&enius refers to the 7pi!ure"n s!hool "s " /true st"te/ 3fr' 2-, 3- ZVYNP 392 e :4' ' ' ' Y]^_N 4 in the sense of /true/ 3i'e' i e"l4 use by Pl"to 3!f' 'ep'

Nu&enius in his boo1 is thus proposing " !ritiBue of the history of the *!" e&y b"se on the !riteri" of the i e"l st"te in Pl"toni! politi!"l philosophy' #hese !riteri" provi e hi& ;ith the &e"ns for both un erst"n ing "n !riti!i?ing th"t history' 0hen "n ho; i the evil "rise> *lthough Nu&enius is elusive on this point, it see&s th"t he is prep"re to fin the see s of !onfli!t in Pl"to hi&self 3!f' fr' 2-, :26-4, in the se!retive ;"y, bet;een !l"rity "n obs!urity, in ;hi!h Pl"to !o&&uni!"te Pyth"gore"n o!trines' Nu&enius is not ;illing to "s!ribe this se!retiveness to envy or &"li!iousness on Pl"to/s p"rt' <e ;ill not therefore go "s f"r "s th"t Pyth"gore"n theory, reporte by Porphyry, ;hi!h "llege th"t Pl"to, *ristotle, "n Pl"to/s pupils pl"gi"ri?e the best of Pyth"gore"n o!trines, " &itting "s Pyth"gore"n only those trivi"lities th"t ;oul l"ter be!o&e " subGe!t of &o!1ery' .
.

)f' Porphyry, Vit3 Pyth' !h' .3, :1, 2069' It is usu"lly "ssu&e th"t this p"ss"ge erives fro& the first6!entury *+ Pl"tonist`Pyth"gore"n 5o er"tus of ," es' It shoul be note , ho;ever, th"t the se!tion in ;hi!h Porphyry !ites 5o er"tus en s Gust before 3!h' .3, :1, 13, !losing the p"ss"ge beginning in !h' -8, .8, 214' )f' Bur1ert 319924, 9.'

#he the&e of issension "lso h"s eeper, &et"physi!"l !onnot"tions in Nu&enius/ boo1' *s he sho;e in his interpret"tion of Pl"toni! ontology in his i"logue On the Good, !h"nge, flu8, isintegr"tion "re !h"r"!teristi!s of the &"teri"l ;orl , ;here"s st"bility, un!h"ngingness, self6integrity "re proper to the ;orl of true, i&&"teri"l being' /
/

Frs' 26- "F !f' %/5e"r" 3199:4'

#his ontologi!"l !ontr"st is "pplie by Nu&enius to his history of Pl"to/s *!" e&y' Pl"to/s su!!essors in!re"singly f"ile to &"int"in int"!t "n un!h"nge the philosophy of their 5"ster 3fr' 2-, .6184, so &u!h so th"t the o!trine no; in their h"n s h"s ;oefully isintegr"te ' $0
$0

)o&p"re fr' 2-, 11 ZQ QY VUP R 3of Pl"to/s su!!essors4 ;ith fr' - ", 2-6. ZQ QY[ T UVU 3of &"teri"l bo y4' #he phr"se in fr' 2-, 9263 YVR Ma W YV[ Q[PV[ T PQP ^ PQ P bQ UPNT PQP ^ PQN V MQTc R 3of Pl"to4 e!hoes Pl"to, 'ep' 380 .Ee 1, ;hi!h is un erstoo by Nu&enius, fr' :, 116 12, "s es!ribing the un!h"nging n"ture of true being 3!f' %/5e"r" K199:L, 12.4' )f' Pue!h 3193-4, 9:9'

In ee the su!!essors the&selves begin to loo1 very

en p'11

&u!h li1e the flui , !h"nging &"teri"l ;orl ' $$

$$

In his e ition of Nu&enius es Pl"!es h"s noti!e 39:4 th"t the s"&e e8pression is use 3fr' 29, 114 for )"rne" es "n 3fr' 3, 114 for &"tter' )f' "lso ZQYNU \ PVR in fr' 2., 31 3of *r!esil"us4 "n in fr' 3, . 3of &"teri"l obGe!ts4'

#his "ssi&il"tion suggests th"t the !h"nge"bility "n isput"tions beh"viour of Pl"to/s follo;ers is testi&ony to their error, "n th"t the un!h"nging integrity of Pl"to/s o!trine is " sign of its truth, " truth ;hi!h, espite the istortions infli!te on it in the history of the *!" e&y, re&"ins int"!t "n un"ffe!te , Gust "s the Pl"toni! For&s tr"ns!en "n "re in epen ent of the fr"g&ent"ry i&"ges of the& refle!te in &"tter' Nu&enius/ !ritiBue, on Pl"toni! politi!"l "n &et"physi!"l groun s, of ;h"t h"ppene in the history of Pl"to/s s!hool points to the re&e y he proposes2 the restor"tion of Pl"to/s o!trine to its pristine integrity, "n oper"tion involving /sep"r"ting it off/ $%
$%

dc e NU, fr' 2-, :82 perh"ps "nother p"r"llel ;ith the &et"physi!"l sep"r"tion 3dc NOT R4 of the For&s'

fro& its subseBuent history, i'e' the interpret"tions of Pl"to to be foun in the i&&e i"te su!!essors, Speusippus "n feno!r"tes, in l"ter &e&bers of the *!" e&y, *r!esil"us "n )"rne" es, "n in su!h &ore re!ent Pl"tonists "s *ntio!hus of *s!"lon' #hey &ust "ll be reGe!te 3fr' 2-, :86904' *ll innov"tion "n !h"nge &ust be re&ove fro& the pure un!h"nging o!trine of Pl"to' $&
$&

Nu&enius thus h"s &et"physi!"l "n politi!"l groun s for reGe!ting innov"tion 3bQNUVPVT Q4F !f' frs' 2-, 3061F 28, 1-61.'

#his !urious stu y of Pl"to/s *!" e&y, ;hi!h progresse by reGe!tion of the history it es!ribe , see&s to h"ve been pre!e e by " si&il"r "tte&pt "t purifi!"tion, this ti&e /sep"r"ting/ Pl"to off fro& *ristotle "n fro& the Stoi!s, " t"s1 "ll the &ore pressing in Nu&enius/ ti&e ;hen &u!h use ;"s &" e of these philosophers in the interpret"tion of Pl"to' $'
$'

Fr' 2-, :968 3note the !riti!"l referen!es to the Stoi!s in fr' .24' *nother se!on 6!entury Pl"tonist, *tti!us, ;rote "g"inst the " ulter"tion of Pl"to ;ith *ristoteli"nis& 3possibly un er Nu&enius/ influen!eF !f' es Pl"!es/s e ition of *tti!us, 19620 "n fr' 14, " the&e "lso tre"te in " lost ;or1 by yet "nother !onte&por"ry, )"lvenus #"urus'

0h"t then is Pl"to thus purge > Pyth"gor"sS 3fr' 2-, 904' If then Nu&enius es!ribe hi&self "s " Pyth"gore"n, he un erstoo this in rel"tion to his progr"&&e of reGe!ting "n " ulter"te "n isintegr"ting Pl"toni! tr" ition "n restoring Pl"toni! o!trine to its origin"l, i'e' Pyth"gore"n, integrity' <is vie; of the rel"tion bet;een Pl"to "n
en p'12

Pyth"gor"s iffers fro& *ristotle/s "!!ount 3Metaphysics *, :42 f"r fro& si&ply !o&bining Pyth"gore"n "n So!r"ti! i e"s, Pl"to Goine So!r"tes "n Pyth"gor"s by hu&"ni?ing in So!r"ti! f"shion the /lofty/ Pyth"gor"s 3fr' 2-, 93694' #he ifferen!e then bet;een Pl"to "n Pyth"gor"s is pri&"rily one of style r"ther th"n o!trine' $(

$(

)f' frs' 2-, 9969F .2, 26- 3" so&e;h"t iffi ent "ttitu e is " opte in fr' 9, .694'

#hus pure Pl"toni! philosophy !"n be referre b"!1 to Pyth"gor"sF pure Pl"tonis& is Pyth"gore"nis&' Nu&enius "lso refers to 7gypti"ns, Persi"n &"ges, In i"ns, @e;s' %ne &ight ;on er if he is here t"1ing up the ol i e"Epopul"r sin!e "t le"st the ti&e of Pl"to "n *ristotleEof "n "n!ient "n superior ;is o& possesse by Pyth"gor"s, by other "n!ient ,ree1 s"ges, "n even by so&e b"rb"ri"n n"tions' $)
$)

)f' Festugigre 319.06-4, I 206:F +Jrrie 319..4, 32869F 31993a4, 99 ff'F 0"s?in1 319::4, -968F *ubenBue 319:24, 9162F P' <" ot 319894, 23 ff'

Nu&enius refers to these n"tions "s !orrobor"ting Pyth"gore"n o!trinesF @e;ish s!ripture is "ppe"le to be!"use it sh"res ;ith Pyth"gore"nis& the i e" of "n i&&"teri"l eity' $*
$*

)f' frs' 1 "F 1 b, .68F 8, 9613F 30, .6:F 0"s?in1 319::4, -:' Note ZNbQY_N O^QN 3fr' 1 ", .42 "ppe"ling to, "s " ;itness' <o&er is "lso use "s " ;itness in fr' 3., 1:'

It is not !le"r ho;ever on ;h"t groun s Nu&enius e8pl"ine the !orrobor"tion "n "gree&ent bet;een Pyth"gore"n truths "n b"rb"ri"n i e"s' +i Pyth"gor"s le"rn these truths fro& v"rious b"rb"ri"n, e'g' 7gypti"n, te"!hers> +i Nu&enius h"ve in &in r"ther the 3Stoi!4 theory th"t there "re so&e fun "&ent"l /!o&&on !on!eptions/ sh"re by "ll n"tions "n peoples> #he surviving evi en!e is not " eBu"te to per&it of "n "ns;er' $.
$.

)f' 0hitt"1er 319:94, 20061'

0e o not 1no; ho; Nu&enius thought Pyth"gor"s !"&e in possession of philosophi!"l truth' #here is " suggestion in fr' 1- th"t 1no;le ge is " ivine gift to &"n' Nu&enius here refers to Pl"to Phile-us 1: !, ;here Pro&etheus is s"i to h"ve !onveye 1no;le ge "s ;ell "s fire fro& the go s to &en' +i Nu&enius fin in Pl"to/s referen!e to Pro&etheus "n "llusion to Pyth"gor"s, "n obvious "n li1ely enough interpret"tion> 0oul he then h"ve thought of Pyth"gor"s "s " &e i"tor of truths reve"le to hi& in so&e ;"y by the go s> 0e si&ply o not 1no; ho; Nu&enius re" the p"ss"ge of the Phile-us in its possible be"ring on the "tt"in&ent of 1no;le ge by Pyth"gor"s "n 3to so&e egree, "t le"st4 by b"rb"ri"n n"tions' $/
$/

See belo;, )h' 2 n' 22'

=ittle "lso !"n be s"i "bout Nu&enius/ vie;s on the Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n their rel"tion to philosophy' <e i not
en p'13

negle!t &"the&"ti!s2 ;e 1no; th"t he ;rote " boo1 !on!erning nu&bers 3fr' 1 !, -4' In the e8tr"!ts fro& his i"logue On the Good 3fr' 2, 20634, it "ppe"rs th"t he " opte Pl"to/s in i!"tion in the 'epu-lic 3.29 ff'4 th"t the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es serve to le" the &in /s eye ";"y fro& the &"teri"l ;orl , prep"ring it

for !onte&pl"tion of pure i&&"teri"l being' +i Nu&enius/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing bring hi& so f"r "s to soften the istin!tions Pl"to &"1es here bet;een &"the&"ti!s "n its obGe!ts, on the one h"n , "n the /highest stu y/ 3!"lle / i"le!ti!/4 "n its obGe!ts 3pure being, or the For&s, "n the sour!e of the For&s, the ,oo 4, on the other> +i his Pyth"gore"n progr"&&e pro&pt hi& to i entify &"the&"ti!s ;ith i"le!ti!, nu&bers ;ith For&s> #he l"ngu"ge of the p"ss"ge in fr' 2 is not entirely !le"r on this point' Nu&enius refers else;here 3frs' 11, 1.F .2, :4 to &"tter "s " / y" / "n to go "s " /&on" / 3fr' .2, .4 "n " v"gue report 3fr' 394 h"s hi& "n &"ny others seeing soul "s " &"the&"ti!"l entity, the pro u!t of &on" "n y" ' Is this si&ply the " option of " suppose ly Pyth"gore"n no&en!l"ture th"t h" been popul"r ever sin!e its e8ploit"tion in Pl"to/s *!" e&y> %0
%0

#he best "!!ount of Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies in Pl"to/s *!" e&y is Bur1ert 319924F !f' "lso Drh&er 319:-4, :3 ff'

%r shoul ;e spe"1 of " profoun &"the&"ti?"tion of Pl"toni! &et"physi!s in Nu&enius> #here is "t "ny r"te no sign of su!h " &"the&"ti?"tion in the fr"g&ents th"t survive of the i"logue On the Good, " ;or1 th"t "ppe"rs to be "n "tte&pt to evelop syste&"ti!"lly the s!ien!e of being "n its sour!e th"t Pl"to !"lls i"le!ti!, " s!ien!e th"t st"rts fro&, but th"t goes beyon &"the&"ti!s' %$
%$

)f' fr' 2, 2263' #he Buestion Nu&enius sets "s the the&e of On the Good I, P OPN P U 3lo!' !it'F fr' 3, 14, re&in s one of *ristotle/s for&ul"tion of the subGe!t of /first philosophy/ or &et"physi!s 3Met' i 14F ho;ever, Nu&enius evelops his highest s!ien!e in " Buite ifferent, Pl"toni! ire!tion2 !f' %/5e"r" 3199:4'

2' Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s"

In the !"se of Ni!o&"!hus 3roughly " !onte&por"ry of Nu&enius4 %%
%%

)f' +/%oge et al3 3192:4, 9162' %n +illon/s "rgu&ent 319:94 for 19: "s " "te for Ni!o&"!hus/ e"th !f' #"rHn 3199-4, 113'

the situ"tion is "l&ost the reverse2 little is 1no;n of his vie;s on Pyth"gor"s, but " goo e"l !"n be is!overe "bout his theories !on!erning the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n their rel"tion to philosophy' %&
%&

)f' I' <" ot 3198-4, :.69'

en p'1-

Ni!o&"!hus ;on " reput"tion for hi&self in his o;n life6ti&e "s " gre"t &"the&"ti!i"n' I"&bli!hus/ very high opinion of hi&E"s " /true Pyth"gore"n/ 3see belo;, )h"pter 24E"ssure the presen!e of Ni!o&"!hus/ intro u!tory &"the&"ti!"l ;ritings in the !urri!ulu& of Neopl"tonist s!hools "n ;"s ;h"t pro&pte Pro!lus/ p"rti!ul"r "tt"!h&ent to hi& 3see belo;, )h"pter 94' #he ;or1s th"t ;ill be is!usse here "re his ele&ent"ry Introduction to Arithmetic "n " boo1 1no;n by the title !heologoumena arithmeticae th"t survives only in " su&&"ry of it pro u!e by the By?"ntine P"tri"r!h Photius in the ninth !entury

"n in e8!erpts preserve in "n "nony&ous !o&pil"tion "lso entitle !heologoumena arithmeticae' %'
%'

#he "nony&ous !heol3 arith' h"s been "ttribute to I"&bli!hus on the b"sis th"t I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (II ;"s thought to h"ve !overe the s"&e groun 3for " !ritiBue !f' "lre" y #"nnery K188.aL, 181624 %pper&"nn 319284 h"s &" e the strongest !"se for this "ttribution' <e provi es " !"reful "n"lysis of the e8!erpts fro& Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena "n fro& *n"tolius/ "e dec' th"t &"1e up the "nony&ous "n "rgues 3i4 th"t it is in turn e8!erpte fro& " l"rger unit"ry ;or1 in ;hi!h the te8ts of Ni!o&"!hus "n *n"tolius ;ere "sse&ble , "n 3ii4 th"t this l"rger ;or1 is I"&bli!hus/ On Pyth' (II' In support of the l"tter !l"i& he notes th"t the referen!es in the "non' to "n /Intro u!tion/ 3to "rith&eti!4 !orrespon to I"&bl' In Nic' 3C On Pyth' I(4 r"ther th"n to Ni!o&' Intro3 arith' 3!o&p"re "non' !heol3 arith' 1, 10618 ;ith I"&bl' In Nic' 11, 1.62-F ho;ever, !o&p"re "lso "non' !heol3 arith' 3, 269 "n Ni!o&' Intro3 arith' 111, 19F 113, 26:4' <e ;ho "sse&ble the e8!erpts, it is "ssu&e , is "lso the "uthor of the /Intro u!tion/2 I"&bli!hus' It is not e8!lu e , ho;ever, th"t the "non' is si&ply using I"&bl' In Nic' for ;h"t he t"1es to be the !ontent of Ni!o&' Intro3 arith' 3!f' 83, -6: for the title4' *t "ny r"te the ne;ly re!overe e8!erpts fro& I"&bl' On Pyth' (II 3belo;, !h'34 sho; it refle!te " evelope st"ge of Neopl"toni! &et"physi!s "bsent fro& the "non' !heol3 arith' #his suffi!es to sho; th"t the "non' !heol3 arith', ;hoever its !o&piler &ight be, is not b"se on On Pyth' (II'

<" Ni!o&"!hus/ Life of Pythagoras survive , &u!h &ore &ight be 1no;n "bout Ni!o&"!hus/ un erst"n ing of the pl"!e of Pyth"gor"s in the evelop&ent of s!ien!e "n philosophy' %(
%(

)f' +/%oge, 99689, "n #"rHn 3199-4 for " list "n is!ussion of Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1s' Bur1ert 319924, 98 ff', is!usses &"teri"l origin"ting fro& Ni!o&"!hus/ Life of Pythagoras'

*s it is, ;e &ust rely pri&"rily on in i!"tions given in the Introduction to Arithmetic' In the intro u!tory se!tion of this ;or1 Ni!o&"!hus presents Pyth"gor"s "s the first to est"blish s!ien!e' Before hi& !oul be foun v"rious sorts of ;is o&Eso&e te!hni!"l s1ills "re given "s e8"&plesEbut Pyth"gor"s first restri!te the "ppli!"tion of the ;or ;is o& 3OV Q4 in or er to &"1e it refer only to the /s!ien!e of being/, th"t is, "n unsh"1e"ble gr"sp of the un!h"nging i&&"teri"l re"lities ;hi!h "re true being, "s !ontr"ste ;ith the !h"nging flui &"teri"l ;orl ;hose e8isten!e i&it"tes "n erives fro& true being 31, .62, 194' Ni!o&"!hus uses 33, 96-, .4 the s"&e p"ss"ge in Pl"to/s !imaeus 329 4 "s is use by
en p'1.

Nu&enius 3fr' 94 to e8press this ontologi!"l istin!tion !o&&on in Pl"toni! "uthors of the perio ' *s in Nu&enius, the istin!tion is "ssu&e to be Pyth"gore"n' In Ni!o&"!hus it is fun "&ent"l, sin!e it serves "s the groun for Pyth"gor"s/ "!hieve&ent of " stri!t efinition of s!ien!e "n its isol"tion fro& te!hni!"l e8pertise' %)
%)

For Ni!o&"!hus/ high !l"i&s for Pyth"gor"s/ s!ientifi! "!hieve&ents in &usi!, !f' =evin 3199.4, -: ff'

If the ontologi!"l istin!tion is !onvention"lly r";n in Ni!o&"!hus, there "re so&e novel "spe!ts to it ;hi!h ;ill be !onsi ere shortly' *t "ny r"te it !"n be !on!lu e th"t Ni!o&"!hus i entifie Pl"tonis& ;ith Pyth"gore"nis&' <o; Pyth"gor"s is suppose to h"ve el"bor"te ;h"t )e ;oul es!ribe "s /Pl"toni!/

philosophy is not !le"r' In his !heologoumena, Ni!o&"!hus referre to the B"byloni"ns "n the Persi"ns joro"ster "n %st"nes, %*
%*

)f' "non' !heol3 arith' .:, 1361.'

but ;e o not 1no; ho; Ni!o&"!hus un erstoo the rel"tion bet;een the& "n Pyth"gor"s' #he Introduction to Arithmetic reve"ls &u!h &ore "bout Ni!o&"!hus/ vie;s on the rel"tion bet;een the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n philosophy' <is position see&s to be "t first gl"n!e, ho;ever, in!onsistent' %n the one h"n , he evelops Pl"to/s vie; in the 'epu-lic th"t the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es prep"re for " higher pursuit' #hey "!t "s /l" ers/ "n /bri ges/ to pure being, purifying the &in /s eye, turning it ";"y fro& &"teri"l re"lity, "n f"!ilit"ting its "!!ess to true i&&"teri"l being 39, 2169, -4' Su!h i e"s suggest th"t Ni!o&"!hus !on!eive of " region of pure being "n its s!ien!e ifferent fro& "n higher th"n the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n their obGe!ts' <o;ever, "s one re" s &ore of the Introduction, it be!o&es less !le"r th"t Ni!o&"!hus re"lly ;oul ;ish to ifferenti"te &"the&"ti!s "n its obGe!ts 3in p"rti!ul"r, nu&ber4 fro& " higher s!ien!e 3 i"le!ti!4 "n its obGe!t 3being4' *t 12, :69, for e8"&ple, he i entifies nu&ber ;ith pure being' It see&s possible then th"t, in spite of his intro u!tory !l"i&s, Ni!o&"!hus in f"!t ten s to !onsi er &"the&"ti!s, "n espe!i"lly the highest &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e, "rith&eti!, "s the first "n highest for& of 1no;le ge, "n nu&ber "s the first "n highest for& of being' #his in!onsisten!y !"n be "n"lyse further in rel"tion to the v"rious "!!ounts th"t Ni!o&"!hus provi es in the Introduction "n in the !heologoumena of the pro u!tion of the &"teri"l ;orl ' #he st"n "r se!on 6!entury Pl"toni! !os&ology is given2 " ivine !r"fts&"n, or / e&iurge/, &o els &"tter "fter i e"l p"tterns 3the For&s4 in his &in ' #here "re, ho;ever, so&e unusu"l ele&ents in Ni!o&"!hus/ version
en p'1:

of the !os&ology' For inst"n!e, the p"tterns use in the or ering of &"tter "re liste in the !heologoumena "s /Bu"lity, Bu"ntity, "n the other !"tegories/F "!!or ing to these /!"tegories/, "n /fro& nu&ber/, &"tter is or ere ' %.
%.

)f' "non' !heol3 arith' --, 9613 3C Ni!o&"!husF !f' +/%oge, 8. n' .4'

5ore infor&"tion !"n be foun in the Introduction "bout the /!"tegories/ "n their rel"tion to nu&ber' #hey in!lu e 32, 2163, .4 Bu"lities, Bu"ntities, sh"pes, si?es, eBu"lities, rel"tions, "!tivities, ispositions, pl"!es, "n ti&es' In the&selves they "re in!orpore"l "n un!h"nging, sh"ring only per accidens in the &"teri"lity "n flu8 of bo ies' It h"s been suggeste th"t Ni!o&"!hus/ /!"tegories/ "re not !"tegories "t "ll 3in the *ristoteli"n sense4, but r"ther Pl"toni! For&s' %/
%/

+/%oge, 9-6.'

#his is the !"se in"s&u!h "s their ontologi!"l !h"r"!ter, in p"rti!ul"r their tr"ns!en en!e, is th"t of the For&s' In ee , they represent Ni!o&"!hus/ interpret"tion of the For&s' *t the s"&e ti&e, ho;ever, his !hoi!e of the ter& /!"tegory/, "n the p"rti!ul"r !"tegories he n"&es, in i!"te th"t he vie;s these For&s in !lose rel"tion to the gener"l stru!turing of &"tter'

#he ;"y in ;hi!h Ni!o&"!hus rel"tes his For&s 3or !"tegories4 to nu&ber is "lso unusu"l' In his !heologoumena he es!ribes the For&s of things, Bu"ntity, Bu"lity, rel"tion, "s nu&ber, or r"ther "s properties or /!h"r"!ters/ 3 MN TQPQ4 of nu&ber' &0
&0

*non' !heol3 arith' 20, 1.621, - 3C Ni!o&"!husF !f' +/%oge, 8:69, "n the re" ing given by the i&port"nt 5S 7 for 20, 14F --, 8613'

#he !"tegories "re "ll virtu"lly present "lre" y in the &on" "n "re sho;n forth "!tu"lly in the first ten nu&bers, the e!" ' &$
&$

*non' !heol3 arith' 3, 1611F 21, 18F 23, -6:'

#he intention of Ni!o&"!hus is, I thin1, !le"r2 to re u!e the Pl"toni! For&s, the &o els of the universe ;hi!h he i entifies ;ith *ristoteli"n !"tegories, to the for&"l properties of nu&berF the universe is org"ni?e "!!or ing to the v"rious properties of nu&ber' &%
&%

)f' Intro3 arith' 12, 168F 9, 1061.F 11-, 19618'

0e !"n !on!lu e then th"t Ni!o&"!hus oes in ee istinguish bet;een nu&ber "n true being 3the For&s4, but in " ;"y th"t re*erses the situ"tion in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic, th"t is, th"t subor in"tes For&s to nu&ber' #his !on!lusion reinfor!es r"ther th"n resolves the in!onsisten!y ete!te "bove' Not only oes it not "ppe"r to be true th"t &"the&"ti!s prep"res for "n le" s up to " higher 3non&"the&"ti!"l4 s!ien!e of being, but if there is to be su!h " s!ien!e "t "llE "n it is not !le"r ;h"t ;oul be left for it "fter the &"the&"ti!"l stu y of nu&ber "n its propertiesEit &ust be subor in"te to &"the&"ti!s'
en p'19

In the Introduction 312, :61-4 it loo1s "s if " istin!tion is &" e bet;een /intelligible/ "n /s!ientifi!/ nu&ber' &&
&&

#he istin!tion is not "s !le"rly &" e "s +/%oge, 9869 3un er the influen!e of Philoponus, In Nic' I 12, .684, "n Bertier 319984, 2162, i&ply'

)oul this offer " resolution of the in!onsisten!y> )oul there be for Ni!o&"!hus " !onvention"l, /s!ientifi!/ &"the&"ti!s !on!erne ;ith /s!ientifi! nu&ber/ "n !onstituting "n inter&e i"ry le" ing the &in /s eye up to " higher stu y !orrespon ing to i"le!ti! in the 'epu-lic, " !onte&pl"tion of the /intelligible/, / ivine/ nu&bers presi ing over "ll re"lity> 5ore !lues !"n be foun in Ni!o&"!hus/ is!ussion of the i&pli!"tions of &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "n theore&s for non6&"the&"ti!"l subGe!ts' <e sho;s hi&self to be intereste in su!h i&pli!"tions, p"rti!ul"rly for physi!s "n ethi!s, in his Introduction, "n the !heologoumena ;"s l"rgely evote to the &"tter' I sh"ll is!uss first the referen!es to physi!s "n ethi!s in the Introduction' Ni!o&"!hus/ vie; of the relev"n!e of nu&ber to the physi!"l universe !"n e"sily be inferre fro& his !os&ology2 nu&ber is n"&ely the &o el, or p"r" ig&, of the

universe' #hus the &"the&"ti!"l prin!iple ;hi!h per&its of eriving for&s of ineBu"lity fro& eBu"lity &'
&'

)f' +/%oge, 22. n' 1'

E" eriv"tion ;hi!h, Ni!o&"!hus insists 3::, 1624, is not of hu&"n !ontriv"n!e, but " n"tur"l, i'e' / ivine/ pro!ess E /proves/ th"t ineBu"lity in the physi!"l ;orl "lso erives fro& eBu"lity' &(
&(

Intro3 arith' :., 19 ff' P R P [ONb PQ[ PQ 3not +/%oge/s /univers"l &"tters/, but the obGe!ts of [ONVYV\ Q "t :-, 236.4 O[UP_N UVU ^ ]TQ' Porphyry/s referen!e, Vit3 Pyth' -., 1-61., to the /tetr"!tys/ "s Z R ZVYY MNQP_N UVU [ONb O[UP Y OTQPQ &"y !o&e fro& Ni!o&"!hus 3n"&e "t -., -4'

#he p"r" ig&"ti! rel"tion bet;een the ;orl "n nu&bers is su!h th"t ;h"t is true of nu&bers "n their properties is "lso true of the stru!ture "n pro!esses of the ;orl ' &)
&)

)f' :-, 236:.F 8F 11-, -69 "n ff' 3"nother e8"&ple4'

Ni!o&"!hus "lso points out p"r"llels bet;een &"the&"ti!"l "n ethi!"l prin!iples' In p"rti!ul"r he !o&p"res /perfe!t/, /super"bun "nt/, "n / efi!ient/ nu&bers ;ith the 3*ristoteli"n4 "n"lysis of virtues "s /&e"ns/ "n of vi!es "s /e8!esses/ "n / efi!ien!ies/' Fro& the !onte8t "n the l"ngu"ge of su!h !o&p"risons, it "ppe"rs th"t the rel"tion bet;een nu&eri!"l "n ethi!"l prin!iples is "g"in p"r" ig&"ti!' %ne i&port"nt p"ss"ge 3:., 861:4 intro u!es ethi!"l !onsi er"tions in the !onte8t of " !o&p"rison bet;een nu&eri!"l prin!iples "n the &"1ing of the ;orl ' #he virtuous life is es!ribe "s "n /org"ni?ing/
en p'18

by the r"tion"l of the irr"tion"l, ;hi!h pro u!es goo or er' &*
&*

:., 9612 3note P P] R k[d] R ' ' ' bVOT]PNb U "n 1.63:, 1 3C Ni!o&"!husF !f' +/%oge, 8. n' -4'

PQbP]^ OVUPQN4F !f' "non' !heol3 arith' 3.,

#his ethi!"l !os&ology e!hoes in the soul th"t "!hieve by the ivine e&iurge in the universe' Not only o nu&bers then hol the 1eys to un erst"n ing the org"ni?"tion of the ;orl F they "lso !ont"in prin!iples ;hi!h !onstitute st"n "r s for the ethi!"l life' &.
&.

See the long /&"the&"ti!"l/ "!!ount of Gusti!e e8!erpte fro& Ni!o&"!hus/ !heol3 arith' in "non' !heol3 arith' 39, 1 ff'

#he i&pli!"tions of nu&ber ;ere &ore fully e8plore by Ni!o&"!hus in his !heologoumena' *s this ;or1 ;"s, "s I hope to sho; in the follo;ing !h"pters, of !onsi er"ble i&port"n!e "n yet h"s s!"r!ely been e8"&ine "s " ;or1 in itself in &o ern rese"r!h, it !"lls for so&e "ttention here' * report going b"!1 to l"te *ntiBuity refers to it "s follo;s2 &/

&/

*non' Prol3 in Nic' 9:, 206- 3the e itor, #"nnery, 8iii, reg"r s this ;or1 "s By?"ntineF it rese&bles the prolegomena pro u!e in *le8"n ri" in l"te *ntiBuity4F roughly the s"&e et"ils "re foun in Philoponus, In Nic' I 1, 162'

/Iou &ust first re" this boo1 3i'e' the Introduction4 be!"use it is intro u!tory' For Ni!o&"!hus pro u!e "nother "rith&eti! entitle !he Ma4or Arithmetic or !heologoumena in ;hi!h he refers '0
'0

)f' "bove, n' 2-' Ni!o&"!hus refers in his Intro3 arith' 122, 206123, 3 to his !heol3 arith' 3C Photius, 5i-l' III -9, 1-. " :694'

to the present ;or1/' =e"ving "si e for the &o&ent the interpret"tion of the se!on title, !heologoumena, one &ight note th"t the first title ten s to support the suggestion in this te8t th"t the Introduction to Arithmetic ;"s inten e , "s " /&inor "rith&eti!/, to le" "n intro u!e the re" er to " &"Gor ;or1, the !heologoumena' Ni!o&"!hus/ o;n pr"!ti!e in the Introduction goes to so&e egree in this ire!tion '$
'$

#he physi!"l "n ethi!"l "ppli!"tions in the Intro3 arith' !o&e "t the end of is!rete &"the&"ti!"l se!tions ;hi!h "re es!ribe "s " ne!ess"ry &etho of "ppro"!h 3 VMVR, :-, 236 -4 to these "ppli!"tions'

"s oes Photius/ su&&"ry of the !heologoumena, in ;hi!h it is stresse th"t " long tr"ining in &"the&"ti!s is ne!ess"ry "s prep"r"tion for Ni!o&"!hus/ !urious "rith&eti!"l theology' '%
'%

5i-l' III -162, 1-3 "F Photius "t 1-2 b 23 es!ribes Ni!o&"!hus/ Intro3 arith' "s /prior/ to 3Z 4 his !heol3 arith'2 this &"y in i!"te the or er of the ;or1s in the &"nus!ript he use F !f' <hgg 3199.4, 1:061'

#he p"ss"ge in Photius re&in s us "g"in of the the&e in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic of &"the&"ti!s "s " prep"r"tion for / i"le!ti!/, "n , "s "ppli!"ble to the rel"tion bet;een the Introduction "n the !heologoumena, strengthens the supposition th"t Ni!o&"!hus !oul ;ith !onsisten!y spe"1 of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "s inter&e i"ry 3in the sense of Pl"to/s 'epu-lic4 "n yet !onsi er nu&ber "s the highest re"lity, !"lling for " stu y
en p'19

!ro;ning &"the&"ti!s "n !on!erne ;ith the first nu&eri!"l prin!iples of "ll re"lity, " stu y su!h "s ;"s presente in the !heologoumena' 0h"t i this supre&e stu y !onsist of> 0h"t oes /#heologou&en"/ &e"n here> 0e epen for hints of Ni!o&"!hus/ intentions in the !heologoumena on Photius/ report, "n Photius is both infor&"tive "n frustr"ting' <e tells us Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1 !onsiste of t;o boo1s e"ling ;ith e"!h of the first ten nu&bers, Boo1 I ;ith the first four nu&bers, Boo1 II ;ith the re&"in er' '&
'&

For the Pyth"gore"n there "re re"lly only the first ten nu&bers, sin!e "ll other nu&bers "re !onstru!te out of the first tenF !f' Ni!o&"!hus in "non' !heol3 arith' 29, 1061.F 80, 10F #heon, &p' 99, 19619F *n"tolius, "e dec' 29, 968' #re"tises on the first ten nu&bers "re !o&&on in Pyth"gore"n6type liter"ture, e'g' *n"tolius, "e dec', #heon, &p' 99, 19610:, 11 ;ho refers to " "e decade by 3Pseu o64 *r!hyt"s "n to Philol"us, "e natura 3"lso " sour!e for Ni!o&"!husF !f'

"non' !heol3 arith' 9-, 10 ff'4' %ne shoul " "lso the 3Pseu o64 Pyth"gor"s/ Sacred "iscourse' )f' #"nnery 3188.a4, 18269F +el"tte 3191.4, 2336-F $obbins 319214F St"ehle 319314, 1.619, 1969.F 5"nsfel 319914, 1.969F #hesleff 319:.4, 1:-6:F "n belo;, n' .2'

7"!h nu&ber ;"s is!usse 3i4 in rel"tion to its spe!ifi! &"the&"ti!"l properties "n 3ii4 in rel"tion to v"rious non6&"the&"ti!"l subGe!ts, physi!"l, ethi!"l, "n in p"rti!ul"r theologi!"l' In reporting on this l"st "spe!t of the ;or1 E it involve referen!es to &"ny p"g"n eities E Photius " opts the st"n!e of righteous in ign"tion "ppropri"te for su!h he"then nonsense' ''
''

*ppropri"tely enough Photius/ e!!lesi"sti!"l !ensure h"s been rene;e by the &o ern r"tion"list' +el"tte/s es!ription of this sort of subGe!t, ;hi!h he ter&s /"rith&ology/ 3191., 1394, "s " &i8ture of /l" s"ine re!her!he s!ientifiBue/ "n /les f"nt"isies e l" religion et e l" philosophie/ e!hoes Photius/ Gu ge&ent of Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1 "s " &i8ture of the truth "bout nu&bers ;ith fi!tions re"&e up by "n i&pure &in 31-3 " 226-, 1-2 b 2.6:4'

#his helps to obs!ure things !onsi er"bly' Iet ;h"t he s"ys, if !o&bine ;ith so&e e8tr"!ts preserve in the other sour!e of infor&"tion "bout Ni!o&"!hus/ boo1, the "nony&ous !heologoumena, is enough to yiel so&e !lues "bout ;h"t Ni!o&"!hus ;"s trying to o' Photius in i!"tes 31-2 b 3. ff'4 th"t Ni!o&"!hus "ssi&il"te v"rious go s "n go esses to e"!h of the first ten nu&bers, the spe!ifi! Bu"ntity of e"!h nu&ber 3 MN eV[OQU ' ' ' ZVO P]PQ4 being the b"sis of su!h i entifi!"tions' Photius "tt"!1s Ni!o&"!hus/ &etho of "ssi&il"tion 3 UQ V 4, !h"rging th"t he t"&pere ;ith the spe!ifi! properties of the nu&bers in or er to "!hieve his i entifi!"tions 31-2 b 22 ff'4' Be th"t "s it &"y, it is !le"r th"t Ni!o&"!hus/ "ppro"!h involve t;o ph"ses2 3i4 setting forth the spe!ifi! &"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!teristi!s of e"!h nu&ber 3su!h "s h" been "t le"st p"rti"lly intro u!e "lre" y in the Introduction4, "n 3ii4 using these !h"r"!teristi!s
en p'20

in or er to rel"te v"rious ivinities to e"!h nu&ber' Not;ithst"n ing his repugn"n!e for su!h things, Photius !on!entr"tes on the se!on ph"se, listing so&e of the ivinities n"&e by Ni!o&"!hus "n negle!ting the first ph"se "l&ost !o&pletely' * &ore !oherent "n b"l"n!e vie; of Ni!o&"!hus/ &etho !"n be g"there fro& the e8!erpts in the "nony&ous !heologoumena' For e8"&ple, on the subGe!t of the &on" , " su&&"ry of the &"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!teristi!s of the &on" is first given 31, -62, 194' ("rious fe"tures "re stresse 2 the &on" /s !"p"!ity to gener"te other nu&bers ;ithout !h"nging in itself 31, :684F its possession in potenti"lity of "ll th"t "ppe"rs in "!tu"lity in the follo;ing nu&bers, e'g' o "n even 31, 9 ff'F 3, 2 ff'4F its unifi!"tory property' '(
'(

2, 18619' #hese first p"ges of the "non' !heol3 arith' in!lu e so&e glossing by " Neopl"toni! e itor of &"teri"l ;hi!h is ho;ever essenti"lly Ni!o&"!he"nF !f' Bur1ert 319924, 98, "n "bove, n' 2-'

#hese fe"tures, e&onstr"te in &"the&"ti!"l f"shion of the &on" , "llo; Ni!o&"!hus then to i entify it ;ith go 33, 1 ff'4, ;ith intelle!t, "n ;ith the e&iurge "s "n org"ni?ing, pro u!tive prin!iple 3-, 162F -, 96124' #he r"tion"le of Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1 is"ppe"rs in Photius/ ir"te enu&er"tion of p"g"n ivinities' In

his !heologoumena Ni!o&"!hus "tte&pte then, it see&s, to eepen "n Gustify, through e8plor"tion of the &"the&"ti!"l properties of nu&bers, the si&ple "ssi&il"tions "n i entifi!"tions !o&&on in the Pyth"gore"n tr" ition bet;een v"rious nu&bers "n "ssorte go s 3"n other obGe!ts4 ;hose n"lvetA h" long sin!e e8pose Pyth"gore"nis& to ri i!ule' ')
')

See the e!" i! ;or1s liste "bove, n' -3' In "n interesting p"ss"ge Buote fro& 5o er"tus in Porphyry, Vit3 Pyth' !h' -8, .8, 21 ff' 3!f' "bove, n' 84, it see&s 5o er"tus !l"i&e th"t the Pyth"gore"ns use the nu&bers of the e!" MNMQObQY QR d NU, to !onvey higher, &ore iffi!ult i e"s, n"&ely the For&s "n first prin!iples' #his suggests th"t by the first !entury *+ Pyth"gore"n e!" i! liter"ture h" f"llen into su!h isrepute th"t 5o er"tus felt oblige to efen it "s being esigne for si&pler &in s "n "s sy&boli! of higher re"lities' Ni!o&"!hus/ apologia is Buite ifferent "n &ore f"ithful to this Pyth"gore"n liter"ture'

#hus the Pyth"gore"n s"ying th"t /@usti!e is five/ ent"ile for Ni!o&"!hus " long e8plor"tion of the &"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!teristi!s of the pent" in ;hi!h the b"sis of the i entifi!"tion ;oul e&erge' *s the Pyth"gore"n tr" ition h" rel"te nu&bers not only to eities, but "lso to other subGe!tsEin ee " vener"ble Pyth"gore"n s"ying h"s it th"t /"ll is li1ene unto nu&ber/ '*
'*

N^T

M P Z UPa Z VNb UF !f' +el"tte 3191.4, 1-61.'

Eso in his !heologoumena Ni!o&"!hus is !on!erne ;ith ethi!"l "n physi!"l 3see "bove, nn' 39684 "s ;ell "s ;ith theologi!"l "ssi&il"tions' It see&s then th"t
en p'21

the title !heologoumena refers, not to " spe!ifi! stu y or s!ien!e ;hi!h Ni!o&"!hus !"lle /theology/, but very gener"lly to the "n!ient, &ysterious, "n ;ise utter"n!es of the Pyth"gore"n tr" ition !on!erning &"inly but not e8!lusively the go s' '.
'.

Note the /they/ in Photius/ report 3e'g' 1-3 " 39, 1-3 b 23, 1-- " -4, i'e' the Pyth"gore"ns "s referre to by Ni!o&"!hus'

*s h"s been sho;n "bove, the physi!"l "n ethi!"l "ssi&il"tions in i!"te in these utter"n!es "re un erstoo by Ni!o&"!hus on the b"sis of " p"r" ig&"ti! rel"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"l "n physi!"l or ethi!"l prin!iples' But ;h"t is the rel"tion bet;een nu&bers "n eities> #o Gu ge by the "ppro"!h he t"1es, it see&s th"t Ni!o&"!hus reg"r s the prolifer"ting ,ree1 p"ntheon "s " &"nner of referring to nu&bersF his go s "n go esses "re the &on" , y" , tri" ' %r, "s Photius e8presse it, Ni!o&"!hus sought to &"1e the nu&bers go s' '/
'/

)f' Photius, 1-2 b 3269F 1-3 " 10'

#he !on!lusion th"t I believe e&erges fro& "ll this "s reg"r s the proble& of !onsisten!y r"ise to;"r s the beginning of this se!tion is the follo;ing2 &"the&"ti!s, in p"rti!ul"r "rith&eti!, fun!tions for Ni!o&"!hus, "s for Pl"to/s 'epu-lic, "s "n intro u!tory "n &e i"tory stu y' In !ontr"st to the 'epu-lic, ho;ever, Ni!o&"!hus oes not reg"r the o-4ects of "rith&eti!, nu&bers, their properties "n l";s, "s inter&e i"ry bet;een sensibles "n For&s' Nu&bers "re, on the !ontr"ry, the prin!iples of the For&s, the For&s being no &ore th"n the properties or !h"r"!ters of nu&bers' #here then see&s little roo& for the

/highest stu y/, i"le!ti!, of the 'epu-lic in Ni!o&"!hus/ syste&' Is it repl"!e by "nother ulti&"te s!ien!e> 0h"t oes the stu y of "rith&eti! le" to> #o " !o&&"n of the theory of nu&bers, one &ust suppose, su!h th"t the nu&eri!"l stru!ture un erlying physi!"l l";s, ethi!"l prin!iples, "n religious syste&s be!o&es !le"r' Su!h !o&&"n , to the egree th"t it "ppro8i&"tes to the nu&bers ;hi!h pro u!e the universe, !oul "ppropri"tely be es!ribe "s " ivine s!ien!e' (0
(0

%ne ;on ers ;h"t the rel"tion &ight be bet;een the ivine e&iurge "n the e!" th"t he uses "s &o el 3!f' "non' !heol3 arith' .9, 216.8, 9F 32, 116124, espe!i"lly in vie; of Ni!o&"!hus/ i entifi!"tion of the &on" "s e&iurge' %ne suspe!ts th"t the !r"fts&"n &et"phor in !os&ology &ust yiel to the &"the&"ti!"l flu8 of everything fro& the &on" '

In !o&p"rison then ;ith Nu&enius, it "ppe"rs th"t Ni!o&"!hus, "s " Pyth"gore"ni?ing Pl"tonist, i go so f"r "s to &"the&"ti?e Pl"toni! philosophy !o&pletely, repl"!ing i"le!ti! "n the For&s ;ith so&e
en p'22

sort of higher "rith&eti! !on!erne ;ith the ivine nu&bers th"t !onstitute "n !ontrol everything'

3' *n"tolius
%ur thir !"se of Pyth"gore"nis& brings us into the thir !entury "n !on!erns *n"tolius, " !onte&por"ry of Plotinus "n Porphyry "n " te"!her of I"&bli!hus' ($
($

7un"pius, Vit3 soph' 3:3F Porphyry e i!"te " ;or1 to "n *n"tolius 36uaest3 7om3 ad Il' 281, 2F !f' S!hr"e er/s is!ussion in his e ition, 3-9684'

+oubts h"ve been r"ise "bout ;hether this *n"tolius is the s"&e "s the *n"tolius &entione by 7usebius, " professor of *ristoteli"n philosophy in *le8"n ri" &" e bishop of ="o i!e" in the l"st Bu"rter of the thir !entury ;ho !o&pose ten boo1s of Arithmetical Introductions "n "s " bishop !ontinue to sho; &"the&"ti!"l in!lin"tions' (%
(%

7usebius, 7ist3 ccles' II 92:, :69F ten boo1s2 " goo Pyth"gore"n nu&berF 5o er"tus/ ;or1 on the Pyth"gore"ns &"y "lso h"ve been in ten boo1sF !f' Bue!heler/s re" ing "t Porphyry, Vit3 Pyth' .9, 1'

In p"rti!ul"r, it h"s been thought th"t !hronology reBuire th"t, if only one *n"tolius ;ere !on!erne , then I"&bli!hus ;oul h"ve h" to h"ve stu ie ;ith *n"tolius "!ting "s bishop of ="o i!e", ;hi!h see&s very i&prob"ble' <o;ever &ore re!ent stu ies h"ve suggeste "n e"rlier "te for I"&bli!hus/ birth 32-. or before4, ;hi!h ;oul &"1e it possible to h"ve I"&bli!hus ;or1ing un er *n"tolius before the l"tter be!"&e bishop in the 290s' (&
(&

)f' +illon 319934, 969F ="rsen 319924, 3968F I' <" ot 3198-, 2.968F "n "lre" y #"nnery in <eiberg/s e ition of *n"tolius, .:'

/0e shoul not &ultiply *n"tolii unne!ess"rily/2 +illon/s Plotini"n prin!iple see&s re"son"ble' Perh"ps so&e slight support in f"vour of the i entifi!"tion of I"&bli!hus/ te"!her ;ith the future bishopE"n there "re no strong "rgu&ents "g"inst itEis the f"!t th"t both I"&bli!hus "n the future bishop h" Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l interests' For si&il"r re"sons ;e &"y suppose th"t it is "g"in the s"&e *n"tolius to ;ho& is "ttribute " ;or1 On the "ecad ;hi!h h"s survive both in epen ently "n in the for& of e8!erpts in!lu e ;ith e8tr"!ts fro& Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena in the "nony&ous !heologoumena arithmeticae' In vie; of their !o&&on Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l interests, one ;oul li1e to 1no; &u!h &ore "bout I"&bli!hus/ te"!her th"n !"n be g"there fro& the little evi en!e "bout *n"tolius th"t ;e h"ve' #he e8!erpts fro& the Arithmetical Introductions e ite by <ults!h sho;
en p'23

th"t *n"tolius use *ristoteli"n sour!es' <e "lso stresse the s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter 3P ZNOP]TVUNb U4 of Pyth"gore"n "rith&eti! "n geo&etry, " !h"r"!ter "!hieve through restri!ting the obGe!ts stu ie to those th"t "re etern"l, i&&"teri"l, "n un!h"nging' ('
('

&cerpta 299, 861-'

#he si&il"rities ;ith the opening p"ges of Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction to Arithmetic "re stri1ing "n point either to " epen en!e of *n"tolius on Ni!o&"!hus or, &ore li1ely, to " sour!e !on!erning Pyth"gore"nis& use by both' *n"tolius notes further&ore the i&port"n!e of nu&ber to the Pyth"gore"ns "n Buotes the s"ying th"t /*ll is li1ene unto nu&ber/ 3299, 20624' But fro& su!h &e"gre re&"ins it is not possible to e8tr"!t "nything !ert"in "bout ho; *n"tolius hi&self vie;e Pyth"gor"s, Pyth"gor"s/ pl"!e in the history of philosophy, "n the rel"tion bet;een Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!s "n philosophy' *n"tolius/ ;or1 On the "ecad offers only slightly &ore s!ope' 7"!h of the first ten nu&bers is tre"te ;ith respe!t to its &"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!teristi!s "n to the v"rious epithets "sso!i"te ;ith it in the Pyth"gore"n tr" ition' In the l"tter p"rt of his tre"t&ent *n"tolius oes little &ore th"n list the v"rious ite&s by ;hi!h e"!h nu&ber ;"s /n"&e /, or to ;hi!h e"!h nu&ber ;"s /li1ene / 3 b eVUP R, TVNV[ UP_R4 by the Pyth"gore"ns' For e8"&ple, the &on" is li1ene to /#he %ne, the intelligible go , the ungener"te , the be"utiful itself, the goo itself/' ((
((

29, 19622 3!f' #heon, &p' 100, -6:4'

*n"tolius oes not e8plore ho;ever ;h"t the b"sis or signifi!"n!e of su!h "ssi&il"tions &ight be' Is the &on" /li1e/ the %ne be!"use it pro u!es "ll nu&bers, or is it r"ther itself the ulti&"te sour!e of everything, ;hi!h is "lso referre to "s /go / or /the %ne/> #he very !lose verb"l p"r"llels bet;een this "n &"ny other p"ss"ges in *n"tolius/ ;or1 "n the se!tion on the e!" in #heon of S&yrn"/s &position of mathematics 3;ritten in the se!on !entury *+ 4 sho; th"t

*n"tolius is &erely su&&"ri?ing the tr" ition"l Pyth"gore"n e!" i! liter"ture "lso use by #heon ()
()

#he p"r"llels "re liste by <eiberg in his e ition of *n"tolius, 2968 3"

the p"r"llel "bove4'

"n ;hi!h Ni!o&"!hus h" trie , in his !heologoumena, to !l"rify "n eepen' *n"tolius oes refer sever"l ti&es to Pl"to/s !imaeus 333, 13 ff'F 3:, 28 ff'F -0, 1 ff' "n 1- ff'4, thus intro u!ing the notion th"t the universe "n the soul "re pro u!e fro& nu&ber' But this is not use "s " gener"l b"sis for Gustifying the Pyth"gore"n "ssi&il"tions of nu&bers to other ite&s' #he i&pression !onveye by the "ssi&il"tions is r"ther one of f"irly "rbitr"ry "n
en p'2-

spe!ious p"irings' #he ;or1 represents then " regression !o&p"re to the ;ritings of Ni!o&"!hus "n even 3t;o !enturies e"rlier4 of 5o er"tus' It is possible, ho;ever, th"t *n"tolius/ On the "ecad is in f"!t " version of " &u!h e"rlier Pyth"gore"n ;riting (*
(*

Fro& ;hi!h the n"&es of p"g"n go s h"ve been purge F !f' "bove, n' -3'

;hi!h !"&e, in so&e ;"y, to be "sso!i"te ;ith *n"tolius' *t "ny r"te it ;oul be i&pru ent to use it "lone 3"n there is not suffi!ient evi en!e other;ise4 "s " b"sis for "tte&pting " re!onstru!tion of *n"tolius/ o;n philosophi!"l vie;s'

-' Porphyry
In the fin"l se!tion of this !h"pter it ;ill h"r ly be possible to o &u!h &ore th"n note so&e "spe!ts of the ;or1 of Plotinus/ gre"t pupil Porphyry' Porphyry/s interests "n le"rning ;ere so ;i e, "n so little of his ;or1 h"s survive , th"t it is in "ny event h"r ly possible to pro u!e "n " eBu"te "!!ount of hi&' #he ne!ess"ry s!hol"rly ;or1 h"s yet to be one, n"&ely "n e8h"ustive !olle!tion of, "n !riti!"l !o&&ent"ry on, the surviving fr"g&ents "n testimonia rel"ting to Porphyry' (.
(.

For Porphyry/s r"nge !f' Beutler 319.34, 2986301 3"n e ition of sele!te fr"g&ents of Porphyry is to be publishe by *' S&ith4' Proble&s in the re!onstru!tion of Porphyry/s intelle!tu"l evelop&ent !"nnot be tre"te here'

Iet he !"nnot be o&itte ' I"&bli!hus stu ie un er hi&' (/

(/

7un"pius, Vit3 soph' 3:3F !f' +illon 319934, 10611'

#hey be!"&e involve in pole&i!s ;ith e"!h other' Porphyry !riti!i?e I"&bli!hus in his boo1 on the +elphi! or"!le /Dno; thyself/F )0
)0

In Stob"eus, Anth' III .99, :6.80, 1'

I"&bli!hus replie "t length in his On Mysteries to Porphyry/s Letter to Ane-o "n "lso "ppe"rs to h"ve "!!use Porphyry of being /full of Nu&enius/' )$
)$

*bove, p' 10F +illon 319934, 10, "n S"ffrey 319914, ;ho sho; ho; &u!h of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 !onsists of responses to spe!ifi! ;ritings by Porphyry'

#his iffi!ult rel"tionship in i!"tes the i&port"n!e of Porphyry to I"&bli!hus "n &"1es one suspe!t th"t perh"ps they ;ere, "fter "ll, !loser to e"!h other in their i e"s th"n either of the& ;oul be prep"re to " &it' *n in!o&plete Life of Pythagoras by Porphyry is still e8t"nt' #he Life ;"s on!e p"rt of the first boo1 of " Philosophical 7istory in four boo1s beginning ;ith <o&er "n en ing ;ith Pl"to ;hi!h is other;ise, "p"rt fro& so&e short e8tr"!ts, lost' )%
)%

)f' Porphyry, Opuscula, -69F for " full is!ussion !f' *' Segon s in Porphyry, Vit3 Pyth', 1:2699'

It is therefore not e"sy to see

en p'2.

;h"t pl"!e the Life o!!upie in the l"rger ;or1' Nor is it even !le"r ;h"t Porphyry/s o;n "ttitu e to Pyth"gor"s is in the Life' #he Life re" s li1e " le"rne !o&pil"tion of sour!e &"teri"ls !on!erning Pyth"gor"s' #he stories "bout Pyth"gor"s/ e u!"tion "&ong the 7gypti"ns "n )h"l "e"ns "re repe"te ' #he @e;s, *r"bs, Phoeni!i"ns, "n joro"ster "re "lso n"&e "s e u!"tors' Pyth"gor"s/ philosophy e&erges "s "n ele&ent"ry sort of Pl"tonis& involving the se"r!h for ;is o&, n"&ely 1no;le ge of i&&"teri"l re"lities, through liber"tion of the &in fro& its i&prison&ent in the bo y' )&
)&

)hs' -:69, .9, 226.8, 20F !f' Segon s in the e ition, 1:268'

5ore !"n be le"rnt "bout Porphyry/s vie;s on Pyth"gor"s fro& the re&n"nts of so&e of Porphyry/s other boo1s' In his Philosophy from Oracles, Porphyry e8presse the intention to present philosophi!"l o!trines, "s these h" been ivinely !o&&uni!"te to &"n in or"!les' Su!h " boo1, he felt, ;oul be ;el!o&e by those ;ho, /in l"bour/ )'
)'

M UQUP R2 Pl"to/s &et"phor 3e'g' Symp' 20: e 14'

"fter truth, h"ve pr"ye for the rest fro& intelle!tu"l perple8ity 3 ZV Q4 th"t " ivine revel"tion !oul give 3110, 1694' #he /philosophy/ e8poun e by Porphyry on the b"sis of the or"!les he h" !olle!te see&s to h"ve been pri&"rily religious2 it !on!erne the n"ture "n or er of the go s "n the rites "n obGe!ts "ppropri"te to their !ult' )(
)(

)f' 0olff 3e ition4, -263F Bi e? 319134, 19 ff' )f' "lso, ho;ever, @' %/5e"r" 319.94, 29631' Porphyry/s intro u!tory ;or s le" one to e8pe!t " philosophy bro" er in s!ope th"n th"t foun in the fr"g&ents preserve in 7usebius'

In his Letter to "n 7gypti"n priest, *nebo, Porphyry sought fro& 7gypti"n o!trines "bout the ivine " bro" er philosophy' <e h" no oubts "bout the e8isten!e of go s, ))
))

Porphyry, p3 ad An', So "no/s intro u!tion, 8viii'

but foun the 7gypti"n o!trines logi!"lly in!onsistent "n ;"s "lso un!le"r "bout their vie;s on the stru!ture of re"lity2 0h"t o the 7gypti"ns thin1 the first !"use is> Is it Intelle!t or "bove Intelle!t> Is it "lone, or ;ith "nother or others> Is it in!orpore"l or !orpore"l> Is it i enti!"l ;ith the e&iurge, or prior to the e&iurge> *re "ll things erive fro& one or fro& &"ny> +o they 1no; of &"tter or pri&"ry Bu"lit"tive bo ies, "n is &"tter ungener"te or gener"te > )*

)*

22, 11623, 3 3C I"&bli!hus, "e myst' 2:0, -6104F I h"ve put the p"ss"ge into ire!t spee!h'

It ;oul not be e"sy to give " &ore !on!ise list of the &"Gor Buestions eb"te by Pl"tonists in the se!on "n thir !enturies *+ ' 0h"t is &ore relev"nt here is th"t Porphyry e8pe!te the ivinely reve"le
en p'2:

te"!hings of the 7gypti"n priesthoo to provi e " Pl"toni! philosophy th"t ;"s logi!"lly !onsistent "n !o&plete' ).
).

I"&bli!hus, "e myst' 9:, .610, !riti!i?es Porphyry for h"ving "n "ppro"!h th"t is NYVO YYVU bQ YV\Nbc R'

cR TQ

#his e8pe!t"tion, it "ppe"rs, ;"s not fulfille , "t le"st "t the ti&e the Letter ;"s ;ritten' It loo1s "lso "s if Porphyry e8pe!te to fin su!h " philosophy in other religions "n in the s"yings of "n!ient s"ges, if ;e !"n Gu ge by his interpret"tion of " <o&eri! p"ss"ge in Of the Ca*e of the Nymphs' Porphyry here "tte&pts to re!over the vie;s of the /"n!ients/ 3Op3 sel' .9, 1962-4, not only those of <o&er, but "lso those of joro"ster, %rpheus, "n other "n!ient /theologi"ns/, )/
)/

%rpheus 3:8, 14, <o&er 398, 1.61:4F Pl"to is istinguishe fro& the /theologi"ns/ "t 91, 19 3!f' 99, 224'

"n of philosophers su!h "s Pyth"gor"s "n Pl"to' 0h"t is foun is "g"in " b"si! Pl"toni! philosophy2 <o&er/s !"ve of the ny&phs sy&boli?es the sensible ;orl into ;hi!h the soul h"s es!en e "n fro& ;hi!h it &ust es!"pe' Pyth"gor"s is thus " &e&ber of " gre"t "sse&bly of "n!ient prophets, theologi"ns, s"ges, philosophers, "n poets in ;ho& Porphyry sought to is!over the s"&e, n"&ely Pl"toni!, philosophy' *!!or ing to the Letter to *nebo, this philosophy ;"s !o&&uni!"te through su!h !h"nnels to &"n1in by the go s' )ert"in !on!lusions follo; fro& this ;ith respe!t to Porphyry/s vie; of Pyth"gor"s' *s in Nu&enius 3;ho is !ite by Porphyry in Of the Ca*e of the Nymphs4, Pyth"gor"s is reg"r e by Porphyry "s essenti"lly " Pl"toni! philosopher ;hose vie;s !"n be !orrobor"te by referen!e to v"rious orient"l religions' <o;ever, "n here I believe Porphyry iffers fro& Nu&enius, Pyth"gor"s loses so&e of his pro&inen!e "s he Goins " v"st !horus of voi!es fro& the p"st "n fro& ifferent religions "n !ultures "ll giving e8pression to " ivinely reve"le philosophy' Porphyry, then, is not " Pyth"gore"ni?ing Pl"tonist, i'e' one ;ho singles Pyth"gor"s out "s the fount"inhe" of "ll true 3Pl"toni!4 philosophy, but r"ther " univers"li?ing Pl"tonist2 he fin s his Pl"tonis& both in Pyth"gor"s "n in very &"ny other Bu"rters' #hese !on!lusions "re !onsistent ;ith ;h"t e&erges fro& the &ost e8tensive ;or1 of Porphyry to h"ve survive , On A-stinence' #o;"r s the beginning of this ;or1, Porphyry refers to " !ert"in )lo ius of N"ples ;ho h" !riti!i?e veget"ri"nis&' *0

*0

)f' Bouff"rtigue "n P"tillon/s intro u!tion to their e ition, I 2.69 3)lo ius2 " te"!her of 5"r1 *ntony>4'

)lo ius foun Pyth"gor"s "t the origin of veget"ri"nis& "n s"; the Pyth"gore"n theories of the 1inship "n tr"ns&igr"tion of souls "s "rgu&ents
en p'29

supporting the "bstention fro& e"ting &e"t' *$

*$

I !h' 1., 3, ..F !h' 18, 1 "n 19, 1, .:'

It is note;orthy, ho;ever, th"t Porphyry, in setting out to "rgue for "bstention, oes not !onfine hi&self to " efen!e of Pyth"gor"s "n of Pyth"gore"n o!trine' <is "ppro"!h is f"r bro" er in s!ope, bringing into pl"y "n e8tr"or in"ry !o&&"n of the history of ,ree1 philosophy "n of the liter"ture on orient"l peoples in or er to est"blish " gener"l !onte8t in ;hi!h "bstention fro& &e"t !"n be seen to be esir"ble' #his !onte8t, not surprisingly, is the plight of the soul i&prisone in the bo y "n ;hose esire for 1no;le ge "n feli!ity !"n only be s"tisfie in " liber"tion fro& the bo y "n "n "s!ent to the i&&"teri"l "n ivine' *ll istr"!tion, "ll r";ing ";"y of the soul/s !on!entr"tion on the i&&"teri"l ;orl , &ust be "voi e ' #he veget"ri"n iet is therefore esir"ble2 in !ontr"st to " iet of &e"t, it e&"n s the &ini&u& of "ttention fro& the soul, sin!e it is ine8pensive to pro!ure, si&ple to prep"re "n une8!itingS *%
*%

I !hs' 3062F -:' 0ith so&e irony Porphyry notes th"t those "r!h6he onists, the 7pi!ure"ns, follo;e the si&ple iet suit"ble to the Pl"toni! soul 3I !hs' -8 ff'4'

3Porphyry ;oul prefer th"t ;e o ";"y ;ith foo "ltogether, but this !onfli!ts 3I 924 ;ith his is"pprov"l of sui!i e'4 Pyth"gor"s, v"rious s"ges, "n Pl"to "re i entifie ;ith these vie;s, *&
*&

I !h' 3:F )lo ius h" trie to isso!i"te So!r"tes "n his follo;ers fro& Pyth"gore"n veget"ri"nis& 3I !h' 1.4'

"s "re 7gypti"n, @e;ish, Persi"n, "n In i"n se!ts ;hose pr"!ti!es, "s o!u&ente in Boo1 I(, support Porphyry/s thesis' #hus Pyth"gor"s, in On A-stinence, ten s "g"in to be integr"te into " very l"rge group of "uthorities "n n"tions, "n Pyth"gore"n veget"ri"nis& be!o&es p"rt of " philosophy "ssu&e to be "tteste in "ll these sour!es, n"&ely " Pl"toni! &et"physi!"l "n ethi!"l other;orl liness' *'
*'

Porphyry returns in Boo1 III to the 1inship of souls, ;hi!h is un erstoo in " Pl"toni! ;"y'

If these inferen!es "bout Porphyry/s vie;s on Pyth"gor"s "re !orre!t, ;e &ight be le to !on!lu e "lso th"t he ;oul not h"ve felt "ny nee to give p"rti!ul"r stress to the Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es' #he evi en!e, su!h "s it is, ten s to be"r this out' In the Life of Pythagoras Porphyry oes refer to the &e i"tory role th"t !"n be pl"ye by the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es2 they !"n bri ge the g"p for us bet;een the &"teri"l "n the i&&"teri"l 3)h' -9, .8, 126194' #heir possible purifi!"tory fun!tion is &entione very briefly in On A-stinence 3I !h' 29, :-4, ;here Porphyry "lso provi es " short su&&"ry of Pyth"gore"n /"rith&ology/

3II !h' 3:, 1024' None the less, ;h"t survives of Porphyry/s ;ritings gives the i&pression th"t in gener"l he
en p'28

is &ore !on!erne ;ith ethi!"l "n religious th"n ;ith &"the&"ti!"l &e"ns of "s!en ing to the i&&"teri"l' * goo e8"&ple of this !"n be foun in his Life of Plotinus' +Jrrie h"s "tte&pte 319..4 to !onstru!t " Pyth"gore"n person"lity for Plotinus/ te"!her *&&onius fro& "spe!ts of Plotinus/ life "s presente by Porphyry' It is &ore pru ent ho;ever to t"1e Porphyry/s "!!ount "s !onstituting to so&e egree " portr"it of the i e"l philosopher' In ee in the Life Plotinus sho;s &"ny of the fe"tures of the true philosopher s1et!he in On A-stinence2 *(
*(

"e a-st' I !hs' 29628F II !hs' -96.2, 11-61:F Bouff"rtigue "n P"tillon/s intro u!tions I 33F II -86 9 3nothing the Plotini"n the&es in these p"ss"ges4'

he "bst"ins fro& &e"t, *)

*)

Vit3 Plot' 2, . 3note the i&plie !ontr"st bet;een !orpore"l "n intelle!tu"l foo th"t is i&port"nt in "e a-st' I(, Opuscula 2:-, 20 ff'4'

in ee e"ting h"r ly "nything, su!h is his r"pt !on!entr"tion on the higher ;orl F **
**

Vit3 Plot' 8, 20 ff' 3note Z VOVd here "n in "e a-st' I !h' 39F Bouff"rtigue "n P"t"illon/s intro u!tion I 3-6.4'

he e&onstr"tes e8tr"or in"ry purity "n free o& fro& istr"!tion by this ;orl 323, 1 ff'4F he turns people ";"y fro& politi!"l life 39, 326.4F he h"s, or "t le"st see1s, rel"tions ;ith orient"l peoples, priests, "n even go s "n e&ons, so &u!h so in f"!t th"t his ;or1, Porphyry "sserts, is ivinely inspire ' *.
*.

Vit3 Plot' 23, 2061 3see *r&strong/s note " lo!' in his tr"nsl'4' I o not ;ish to eny th"t some of this &"y h"ve been true of Plotinus' But ;h"t is signifi!"nt for us here is ;h"t Porphyry !hose to re!or "n the ;"y he re!or e it'

5ost signifi!"ntly for us, ho;ever, he !on!erns hi&self little ;ith "rith&eti! "n geo&etry, "lthough Porphyry is "n8ious "t the s"&e ti&e to !l"i& th"t he is not ignor"nt of su!h &"tters 31-, 86104' It is to so&e e8tent true th"t Plotinus h" no spe!i"l evotion to &"the&"ti!s' But it is note;orthy th"t this tr"it persists in " portr"it of Plotinus ;hi!h Porphyry ten s to p"int in the i&"ge of "n i e"l philosopher ;ho e8hibits other;ise " nu&ber of /Pyth"gore"n/ fe"tures' */
*/

Porphyry/s bre"1ing up "n "rr"nge&ent of Plotinus/ tre"tises into si8 sets of nine 3/7nne" s/4 is the &ost stri1ing e8"&ple of his i&position of Pyth"gore"nis& on Plotinus' #o so&e of the Pyth"gore"n tr"its "lre" y note &ight be " e the vo; of se!re!y &" e by Plotinus "n so&e fello;6pupils of *&&onius 3Vit3 Plot' 3, 2-694' )f' =' Brisson et al3 319824, 2.-6:' Further tr"!es of /Pyth"gore"ni?ing/ in Porphyry &"y survive in *ugustine/s "e ordine' <"ving sho;n 3II !h' f, 28 ff'4 the nu&eri!"l b"sis of the seven liber"l "rts "n the role of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es in le" ing the soul to philosophy, *ugustine rel"tes this to Pyth"gor"s, ;ho is pr"ise Buite e&ph"ti!"lly 388, .34' I' <" ot 3198-4, 10163:, "rgues th"t *ugustine is using " Neopl"toni! sour!e ;hi!h she i entifies hypotheti!"lly "s Porphyry/s "e regressu animae' If she proves the Neopl"toni! !h"r"!ter of *ugustine/s theory of the liber"l "rts "n the presen!e in p"rti!ul"r of Porphyri"n the&es, it ;oul "lso be ne!ess"ry to sho; th"t Porphyry ;"s *ugustine/s only

sour!e before *ugustine !oul be use ;ith !onfi en!e "s " ;itness for Porphyry' For *ugustine/s interest in Pyth"gor"s "n in Pyth"gore"n nu&ber6theory !f' Solign"! 319.84, 12-6:, 129639 3;ho "rgues th"t *ugustine re" Ni!o&"!hus4'
en p'29

% I"&bli!hus/ 0or1 on Pyth"gore"nis&2 #itle, Pl"n, the First Four Boo1s

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
#he v"rious Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies revie;e in the pre!e ing !h"pter !onverge in the progr"&&e to Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy el"bor"te by Porphyry/s for&er pupil "n freBuent riv"l I"&bli!hus' #his progr"&&e surp"sse its pre e!essors in its !o&prehensive "n syste&"ti! Bu"lity "n su!!ee e , "s I sh"ll "tte&pt to sho; in P"rt #;o, in pl"ying " e!isive role in the history of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' It ;ill be ne!ess"ry, ho;ever, first to e8"&ine I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e in so&e et"il' #r"!es of it !"n be foun in reports !on!erning I"&bli!hus/ lost !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n on *ristotle "n in the surviving re&"ins of other &ore syste&"ti! ;ritings' But the &ost "!!essible e8pression of the progr"&&e is the &ulti6volu&e ;or1 I"&bli!hus evote spe!ifi!"lly to the the&e, On Pythagoreanism' 0hen I"&bli!hus ;rote this ;or1, or ;hen &ore gener"lly his Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;"s evelope , is un!le"r' I sh"ll give groun s belo; 3pp' 91 ff'4 for not "!!epting "n e"rly "te for the ;or1' It "n the progr"&&e to ;hi!h it belongs "n ;hi!h "ppe"rs "lso in the !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n *ristotle ought to be "te in "ll li1elihoo to the ti&e ;hen I"&bli!hus h" "lre" y left Porphyry 3prob"bly ;ell before the en of the thir !entury4 "n h" set up his o;n philosophi!"l s!hool in Syri", in *p"&e", "n `or in +"phne' $
$

%n the evi en!e "n proble&s !on!erning I"&bli!hus/ biogr"phy !f' +illon 319934, -61-F "lthough the evi en!e th"t I"&bli!hus ;"s Porphyry/s pupil is not !on!lusive, so &u!h points in this ire!tion th"t +illon si&ply "ssu&es this 3!orre!tly, I believe4 "s " f"!t'

In )h"pter - the tr"!es of " Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e th"t !"n be foun in ;h"t little h"s survive of I"&bli!hus/ &"ny other philosophi!"l ;ritings ;ill be e8"&ine ' *n obvious point of ep"rture ho;ever is provi e by the ;or1 On Pythagoreanism' #his ;or1 h"s been tr"ns&itte to us by one &"nus!ript, /F/ 3fourteenth !entury4, fro& ;hi!h "ll of the l"ter &"nus!ript !opies erive' %
%

#he i&port"n!e of F 3Floren!e, ="ur' 8:, 34 h"s been e&onstr"te by Pistelli 318884'

5"nus!ript
en p'30

F begins ;ith " #"ble of )ontents 3pina&4 listing the titles of nine boo1s !onstituting the ;or1' #he pina& is follo;e , ho;ever, by the first four boo1s only' #he re&"ining boo1s h"ve sin!e is"ppe"re ' 0e &"y suppose th"t this &ight e"sily h"ve h"ppene if the ;or1 h" been tr"ns&itte boun in t;o volu&es 3!o i!es4 of ;hi!h the se!on , !ont"ining the l"st five boo1s of the ;or1, !"&e to be &isl"i or ignore ' &
&

For other !"ses !f' 0hitt"1er 3199-4, 3.-'

#he loss of the l"st five boo1s o!!urre "t "ny r"te "fter the eleventh !entury, ;hen the By?"ntine poly&"th 5i!h"el Psellus ;"s still "ble to re" "n &"1e e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (6(II' #his pro!ess of is&e&ber&ent of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1, begun thus negligently enough, ;"s !o&plete ;ith true philologi!"l furor in the l"st one hun re ye"rs' #he surviving first four boo1s of the ;or1 ;ere publishe "s if sep"r"te, in epen ent ;or1sF "n +eubner, in his e ition of the first boo1, On the Pythagorean Life 319394, even negle!te to print the pina& for the ;or1 "s " ;hole, ;hi!h helps us rel"te On the Pythagorean Life to the follo;ing boo1s &"1ing up the ;or1' #he is&e&ber&ent ;"s !"rrie out &ost iligently, ho;ever, ;ithin e"!h of the first three boo1s2 e"!h ;"s r"ns"!1e for ;h"t !oul be e8tr"!te fro& it of lost ;ritings by 3or on4 Pyth"gore"ns, *ristotle, Speusippus ' ' ' * silent e!"pit"tion fin"lly resulte fro& " l"!1 of serious interest even in ;h"t the title of the ;or1 "s " ;hole &ight be' '
'

)f' the re&"r1s of von *lbre!ht 319:34, 968F ="rsen 319924, ::'

In this !h"pter I sh"ll try to restore so&e unity to I"&bli!hus/ ;or1, beginning ;ith its title "n over"ll pl"n "n pro!ee ing through the first four boo1s !onsi ere to the e8tent to ;hi!h they rel"te to "n over"ll pl"n' In )h"pter 3, the e8!erpts in Psellus fro& Boo1s (6(II of the ;or1 ;ill be "n"lyse "n ;ill le" to so&e gener"l !on!lusions in the follo;ing !h"pter !on!erning the purpose "n signifi!"n!e of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1, its rel"tion to tr"!es of " Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e in his other ;or1s, "n to the v"rieties of Pyth"gore"nis& presente in )h"pter 1' In e8"&ining belo; the first four boo1s of On Pythagoreanism I sh"ll be !on!erne &ore ;ith the )ays in ;hi!h I"&bli!hus un erstoo "n use the Pyth"gore"n 3"n other4 &"teri"ls he "sse&ble in !o&posing these boo1s, th"n ;ith the &"teri"ls the&selvesF &ore ;ith his intentions, th"n ;ith his sour!es' (
(

#he follo;ing p"ges &ight be !o&p"re ;ith ="rsen 319924, ::61-9, ;ho h"s si&il"r go"ls but re"!hes, I believe, so&e;h"t efi!ient results'
en p'31

1' #he #itle "n %ver"ll Pl"n

#hree possible titles for I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 &ight be !onsi ere 2

3i4 On the Pythagorean Sect 3m PU R m[^QV Nb] R Q O cR4, " title "tteste in the pina& preserve "t the he" of &"nus!ript F' )
)

#he pina& is foun on fol' 1r "n is printe by N"u!1 3188-4, 888iv' #he title is "lso foun "t the en of Comm'2 P YVR PV[ \aY \V[ ' ' ' PU R m[^Q\ V[ Q O cR'

#his title is "lso given by Syri"nus in the fifth !entury 3 In 7erm' I 22, -6.4' 3ii4 !he Collection of Pythagorean "octrines 3 Pc U m[^Q\V cU MV\T PcU O[UQ\c\ 4, " title foun "lso in Syri"nus 3In met' 1-0, 1.F 1-9, 304 th"t h"s been preferre by &o ern s!hol"rs' 3iii4Pythagorean Commentaries 3m[^Q\ NQ ZVTU TQPQ4, " title ;hi!h is foun "lso in &"nus!ript F' *
*

F, fol' -9v 3!f' Pr' :, 10 ff', app3 crit'4'

0hi!h of these three titles shoul be use > #he thir title h"s the le"st "uthority for it "n in "ny !"se is not " for&"l title, but " loose es!ription' #his l"tter point is true "lso of the se!on title, "s !"n be seen fro& the f"!t th"t Syri"nus refers by &e"ns of it to the ;ritings of I"&bli!hus "n of Ni!o&"!hus 3In met' 103, :6942 "g"in " loose es!ription, not " title' #he first title h"s the strongest "uthority for it, both &"nus!ript F "n Syri"nus' * possible obGe!tion to " opting the first title "s the right one is th"t /se!t/ 3Q ONR4 is too restri!tive2 I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 !overe not only the Pyth"gore"n se!t but "lso 3"n espe!i"lly4 its o!trines "n s!ien!es' If this point !"n "pply to the 7nglish ;or /se!t/, it !"nnot hol for the ,ree1 ter& Q ONR ;hi!h h" "lre" y, so&e !enturies before I"&bli!hus, !o&e to signify, not only the &e&bers of " religious or philosophi!"l &ove&ent, but "lso the o!trines "n theories of the &ove&ent' .
.

)f' ,lu!1er 319984, 1::692'

Su!h is the &e"ning of Q ONR "lso in I"&bli!hus /

/

)f' Pr' 9, 1-61.F 8, 36:F 12-, 2-'

in " p"ss"ge, for e8"&ple, "t the beginning of the Protreptic 3i'e' the se!on boo1 of the ;or1 un er !onsi er"tion4 ;hi!h "lso provi es further "uthority for the first title2 In the pre!e ing ;e h"ve s"i ;h"t is "ppropri"te "bout Pyth"gor"s, "bout his 1in of life "n "bout the Pyth"gore"ns' =et us begin our "!!ount "s to the rest of his se!t 3P YVNZ U Q PV[ P] R Q O cR4 ' ' ' 3:, 1261.4
en p'32

#hus the tre"t&ent of the Pyth"gore"n Q ONR !ontinues fro& the first into the se!on boo1, ;hi!h tre"ts of Pyth"gore"n o!trines "n ;hi!h is itself, "s ;ill be seen belo;, intro u!tory to the follo;ing boo1s of the ;or1 ;hi!h "lso !on!ern Pyth"gore"n o!trine'

Su!h then is the "uthority for the first title th"t there !"n be little oubt th"t it is the !orre!t one' #o "voi the &isle" ing !onnot"tions of the ;or /se!t/ I sh"ll tr"nsl"te the ,ree1 title "s On Pythagoreanism so "s to in!lu e both the person"lities !on!erne "n their theories' It is less e"sy to eter&ine ;hether I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ;"s origin"lly &" e up of nine or of ten boo1s' #he pina& in &"nus!ript F lists nine boo1s' <o;ever, "t the en of the fourth "n l"st surviving boo1 3 In Nic' 12., 196 2-4 I"&bli!hus &entions the subGe!ts he ;ill !over l"ter, n"&ely &usi! 3C Boo1 If4, geo&etry 3C Boo1 (III4, "n "strono&y' *s there is no boo1 evote to the l"st subGe!t in the list of nine boo1s given in the pina&, it is re"son"ble to infer th"t " tenth boo1 ;"s 3or ;"s to h"ve been4 evote to it' In "ny !"se his ;or1, ;ritten in true Pyth"gore"n spirit, should h"ve !ont"ine ten boo1s, even if it i not' It prob"bly on!e i ' $0
$0

)f' "bove, !h' 1 n' .2F ="rsen 319924, I --6.'

#he titles of the boo1s of On Pythagoreanism "s given in the pina& "re2

I II III IV V VI VII

On the Pythagorean Life ( ) Protreptic to Philosophy ( ) On General Mathematical Science ( ) On Nicomachus' Arithmetical Introduction ( ) On Arithmetic in Physical Matters ( ) On Arithmetic in Ethical Matters ( ) On Arithmetic in Theological Matters 11 (
11

Nauck's correction of the rea in! "# in $% su&&orte '( In Nic) *+,% *-.+, /uote 'e0o1)

) VIII On Pythagorean Geometry ( I2 On Pythagorean Music (

#o this list ;e shoul prob"bly "

)
en p'33

)
then " tenth "n fin"l boo12

2 On Pythagorean Astronomy)
It h"s "lre" y been note th"t of the ;hole ;or1 only the first four boo1s "re e8t"nt, together ;ith e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (6(II' #he unity of pl"n un erlying the seBuen!e of boo1s ;ill be brought out belo; in " et"ile e8"&in"tion of the surviving boo1s "n fr"g&ents' <o;ever, it ;ill be useful "t this st"ge to propose "n over"ll s!he&e for On Pythagoreanism "s this e&erges fro& !o&bining the boo1 titles of the pina& ;ith progr"&&"ti! p"ss"ges in Boo1s II "n I(' $%
$%

)f' #"nnery 3188.a4, 199681'

In the p"ss"ge Buote "bove fro& the beginning of the Protreptic I"&bli!hus &oves fro& his "!!ount of Pyth"gor"s, Pyth"gore"n life, "n the Pyth"gore"ns in On the Pythagorean Life to " gener"l prep"r"tion, presente in the Protreptic, for /"ll e u!"tion, le"rning, "n virtue/ 3:, 1.61:4' #his gener"l prep"r"tion is inten e "s " st"ge le" ing the re" er to " &ore spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n philosophy "n s!ien!e intro u!e "t the en of the Protreptic "n in the follo;ing boo1s2 *s the soul progresses gr" u"lly fro& lesser to gre"ter things ' ' ' "n fin"lly fin s the &ost perfe!t goo s, thus the turning 3Z VP VZ 4 &ust progress "long " route st"rting fro& ;h"t is gener"l "n !o&&on 3Pc U bVNUc U4' 3Pr' 9, 86124 #he su!!ession of boo1s in I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 is thus rel"te to " pe "gogi!"l progression fro& the gener"l "n !o&&on to ;h"t is &ore iffi!ult, higher, "n spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n' #he progression is " /protrepti!/2 it is esigne to le" the soul up to /gre"ter things/' #he protrepti! fun!tion is not only evi ent in the Protreptic itself2 it ;ill "lso be seen belo; to be present "lre" y in the first boo1, On the Pythagorean Life' * se!on progr"&&"ti! p"ss"ge is foun "t the en of Boo1 I(' <"ving presente in this boo1 "n intro u!tion to "rith&eti! b"se on Ni!o&"!hus, I"&bli!hus gives " foret"ste of ;h"t is to !o&e2 0e ;ill stu y su!h other !onseBuen!es "s "rise fro& the nu&bers, fro& the &on" up to the e!" , or ering &"tters "!!or ing to " physi!"l 3 [ONb R4,
en p'3-

"n ethi!"l 3 ^Nb R4, "n further&ore 3"n prior to these4 " theologi!"l 3^ VYV\Nb R4 "!!ount, so th"t it ;ill be e"sier to !onvey to you the te"!hings of the follo;ing three intro u!tions, i'e' the intro u!tions to &usi!, geo&etry, "n "strono&y' $&
$&

In Nic' 12., 1-62. 3e8p"n ing on 118, 116194F !f' 3, 13 ff' I sh"ll return to this p"ss"ge in the ne8t !h"pter' #he boo1 on &usi! is "lso referre to "t 121, 13F 122, 12'

#hus the intro u!tion to gener"l &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e in Boo1 III is follo;e by intro u!tions to e"!h of the four spe!ifi! &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, first "rith&eti!, tre"te in itself "n then in rel"tion to physi!s, ethi!s, "n theology, the l"tter

tre"t&ent being helpful to the stu ent e&b"r1ing on the re&"ining three &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es' #he follo;ing gener"l s!he&e for the ;or1 "s " ;hole &ight be suggeste on the b"sis of the evi en!e !onsi ere so f"r2 Protreptic to Pythagoreanism2 Pyth"gor"s "n his S!hool2 On the Pythagorean Life 3B1' I4 ,ener"l "n Pyth"gore"n Philosophy2 Protreptic 3B1' II4 Introduction to Pythagorean Mathematics 2 ,ener"l 5"the&"ti!"l S!ien!e 3B1' III4 *rith&eti! in itself2 Ni!o&"!hus 3B1' I(4 in Physi!s 3B1' (4 in 7thi!s 3B1' (I4 in #heology 3B1' (II4 ,eo&etry 3B1' (III4 5usi! 3B1' If4 *strono&y 3B1' f4 #his s!he&e &"y serve "s " rough s1et!h, to be fille in "s I"&bli!hus/ proGe!t is e8"&ine in et"il in the follo;ing p"ges'

2' Pyth"gor"s 3Boo1 I2 %n the Pyth"gore"n =ife4

#he first !h"pter of the first boo1 !"n be reg"r e "s " prologue to the ;or1 "s " ;hole "n is intro u!e "s su!h in the !h"pter6he" ings 3b YQNQ4 preserve in &"nus!ript F' $'
$'

)f' Vit3 Pyth' 1, 3' #he b YQNQ "re very prob"bly !o&pose by I"&bli!hus hi&self2 they "re use by Syri"nus, In met' 101, 296102, 3- 3C b YQNQ for Comm' 3, :68, -4' )f' +eubner 3193.4, :89690F Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I 129 n' 2 3" the b YQNQ pre!e ing I"&bli!hus/ pupil +e8ippus/ In cat' 1624'

It is "n invo!"tion of ivine help, " tr" ition"l &otif in Pl"toni! liter"ture inspire by Pl"to/s
en p'3.

!imaeus' $(
$(

!im' 29!F !o&p"re Nu&enius, fr' 11, 9610F Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I 131 n' -'

In this "n in other Pl"toni! "llusions in the !h"pter, ho;ever, I"&bli!hus in i!"tes his intention not only to follo;, but "lso to go beyon Pl"to in so&e respe!ts' #he invo!"tion of the go s is "ll the &ore ne!ess"ry "t the outset of his ;or1 in th"t the philosophy n"&e "fter Pyth"gor"s is reve"le by the go s "n !"n only be gr"spe through their &e i"tion 3., -6942 it is superior to " vision su!h "s th"t in Pl"to/s Symposium 3210 e -4 ;hi!h !"n be /gli&pse in " fl"sh/ 3., 106114, be!"use it tr"ns!en s 3&ere4 hu&"n !"p"!ities' $)
$)

%n hu&"n ;e"1ness "n the ist"n!e this !re"tes bet;een &en "n go s !f' the te8ts !ite by von *lbre!ht 319::4, .9 n' :-'

<en!e our nee to entrust ourselves 3., 1-4 to ivine gui "n!e through ;hi!h, "lone, ;e !"n h"ve "!!ess to Pyth"gore"n philosophy' #he ivine gui e th"t I"&bli!hus proposes to " opt is Pyth"gor"s hi&self' But ;h"t oes I"&bli!hus &e"n here by / ivine gui "n!e/> <o; is it re"li?e in the !h"pters on Pyth"gor"s/ life th"t follo;> I"&bli!hus/ biogr"phy of Pyth"gor"s " heres f"irly !losely to the gui elines for ;riting encomia pres!ribe by the "n!ient rhetori!i"ns' #o pr"ise " hero or pro&inent !iti?en one shoul e8tol his r"!e, f"therl"n , e u!"tion, virtues, "n the gre"t ee s ste&&ing fro& these virtuesF physi!"l e8!ellen!es shoul "lso be pr"ise F tr"nsitions bet;een se!tions shoul be !le"rly &"r1e ' $*
$*

<er&ogenes, Prog' 1-, 19 ff'F #heon, Prog' 109, 20 ff'F 5en"n er, Laud' 392, 1-618'

I"&bli!hus follo;s "ll of these pres!riptionsEhe ;"s "fter "ll " rhetori!i"n in his o;n right $.
$.

Syri"nus refers 3In 7erm' 9, 96104 to I"&bli!hus/ 3lost4 boo1 m b O cR OPV[ Y \V[F !f' Bi e? 319194, 3-F 319284, 21.F Dust"s 319934, 9, 1:9' * !ritiBue of the style of Pyth"gore"n liter"ture is foun in Vit3 Pyth' 88, 1- ff'

E&"rsh"lling the v"rious sour!e6&"teri"ls "v"il"ble to hi& so "s to fit the& into the reBuire !o&position"l stru!ture' $/
$/

$oughly2 3i4 Pyth"gor"s/ genos, f"therl"n , e u!"tion, tr"vels 3!hs' 26:4F 3ii4 his te"!hing 3!hs' 1362.4F 3iii4 his virtues "n his !orrespon ing ee s 3!hs' 286334F 3iv4 &"tters re&"ining "n not fitting in the s!he&e 3!hs' 3-6:F !f' 129, 1161.4' )f' von *lbre!ht 319::4, .2 ff'F Festugigre 319394, -39' For physi!"l e8!ellen!es !f' Vit3 Pyth' 9, 13F 8, 13 "n 22F for !le"r tr"nsitions !f' 19, 19622F 9., 2.68F 129, 1161.'

#o is!over, ho;ever, the rel"tion bet;een the en!o&iu& of Pyth"gor"s "n Pyth"gor"s/ fun!tion "s / ivine gui e/, one &ust e8"&ine so&e signifi!"nt te8ts in et"il' )o&&enting on the story th"t Pyth"gor"s ;"s f"there by *pollo, I"&bli!hus not only tells us th"t ;e ought not believe it 39, 2:694F he "lso provi es "n interpret"tion of Pyth"gor"s/ ivine p"rent"ge ;hi!h is f"r less !orpore"l in e&ph"sis2
en p'3:

No one ;oul ispute, ho;ever, th"t the soul of Pyth"gor"s ;"s sent o;n to &en fro& *pollo/s tr"in 3 \ TVU Q4Ebeing either " !o&p"nion 3O[UVZQM R4 or other;ise yet &ore fittingly "ligne 3O[UP PQ\T U]4 ;ith the go 2 ;itness su!h " birth "n the univers"l ;is o& of his soul' 39, 2968, -4 #he interest of this te8t in!re"ses if it is noti!e th"t I"&bli!hus is interpreting the ivine origin "n &ission of Pyth"gor"s in ter&s of the &yth in Pl"to/s Phaedrus 32-: e62-8 !4, in ;hi!h souls follo; in the retinue or "r&y 3OP QP Q4 of go s "n e&ons, jeus le" ing 3 \ T U4, "roun the ri& of the he"vens' 7"!h soul is "ssigne "s !o&p"nion 3O[UVZQM R4 to one of the go s in the retinue 3;hi!h in!lu es of !ourse *pollo4, " rel"tion th"t &"r1s the p"rti!ul"r "spir"tions of the soul 32.3 b4' By referring to the &yth of the Phaedrus I"&bli!hus is provi ing " !onte8t for the un erst"n ing of the tr" ition"l beliefs in Pyth"gor"s/ ivinity ;hi!h "ttenu"tes !onsi er"bly their liter"l, &"teri"list point6of6vie; %0
%0

)f' "lso .-, .61-F 99, 11619'

by stressing the ivine origin of Pyth"gor"s/ soul, Pyth"gor"s/ spiritu"l r"ther th"n bo ily gene"logy' Pyth"gor"s/ bo ily origin is " sign of, but not i enti!"l ;ith, his ivinity' %$
%$

For "nother interpret"tion 3sho;ing little ";"reness of the philosophi!"l b"!1groun 4 !f' )o8 319834, :061' %ne !"n suppose th"t Pyth"gor"s/ noble birth is ;itness to his ivine soul on the Pl"toni! groun s th"t e"!h soul is re!eive in "n "ppropri"te bo yF !f' Pro!lus, In !im' I .1, 206 30F In 'emp' II 118, . ff'

*t the s"&e ti&e the referen!e to the Phaedrus helps to istinguish Pyth"gor"s/ soul fro& other, or in"ry souls' In the Phaedrus the soul is represente "s struggling to 1eep its pl"!e in the !elesti"l retinue "n losing it through its o;n efi!ien!ies' Pyth"gor"s, ho;ever, is not " f"llen soul, but " soul sent do)n into the &"teri"l ;orl ' <e is in f"!t, it is suggeste so&e p"ges l"ter, the be"rer of " ivine gift for the i&prove&ent of hu&"n life, i'e' philosophy, " gift su!h "s /none better h"s been or ;ill ever be given by the go s/ 318, .6104Ethe te8t is t"1en this ti&e fro& Pl"to/s !imaeus 3-9 b 1624' I"&bli!hus/ use of the&es in the Phaedrus "n in the !imaeus thus provi es " Pl"toni! fr"&e;or1 for the e8pl"n"tion of the ivine origin "n &ission of Pyth"gor"s2 in respe!t to his origin, the superior "ffili"tion of his soul ;ith the intelligible re"l& is stresse F "s for his &ission "&ong &en, it is to &e i"te Pl"to/s / ivine gift/ of philosophy, " &e i"tion, one &"y infer, &" e possible by the superior intelligible n"ture of Pyth"gor"s/ soul 3!f' 18, 1:619, 104' #he notion th"t !ert"in ;ise &en h"ve been sent by the go s to enlighten &"n1in "n th"t philosophy itself is " ivine gift is by no
en p'39

&e"ns ne; in the thir !entury' %%

%%

)f' <yl "hl 319::4, 1306:F v"n 0in en 319914, -:, !iting =u!i"n, @ustin 5"rtyr, %rigen' b O cR PNP Y R 3!f' Phaedrus 2.1 " 24

7spe!i"lly !lose to I"&bli!hus is *tti!us2 mY PcU, U

bQ ZVY MN U \b U, V Q bQP Z TZPVR Y]^c R b ^_c U, Ua Y bY] VR n^ MNa Q PV[ NYVOV Q 3fr' 1, 336.4' )f' "lso Nu&enius/ use of Phile-us 1: ! 3"bove, p' 13 "n !h' 1 n' 1- on *tti!us/ rel"tion to Nu&enius4'

#he Pl"toni! b"!1groun to this notion in I"&bli!hus/ On the Pythagorean Life !"n be ete!te in the ;"y th"t the notion represents "n interpret"tion of the Phaedrus "n !imaeus' 5ore infor&"tion on this interpret"tion !"n be foun else;here, not"bly in the surviving fr"g&ents of I"&bli!hus/ "e anima' In this ;or1 I"&bli!hus is!usse , "&ong other things, the re"sons for soul/s es!ent into the &"teri"l ;orl ' Plotinus h" r"ise the issue before, in !onne!tion ;ith the interpret"tion of the t;o Pl"toni! i"logues 3 nnead I( 8, 14' #he i"logues see&e to is"gree, the !imaeus suggesting th"t soul h" " !onstru!tive &ission in the ;orl , to vivify, org"ni?e, "n perfe!t it, the Phaedrus inti&"ting, ho;ever, th"t soul, ue to so&e sort of &or"l f"ilure, h" f"llen fro& the he"venly retinue of the go s "n ;"s plunge in " life of &isery in the bo y' Plotinus "tte&pte to re!on!ile these t;o ;"ys of seeing soul/s es!ent to the &"teri"l ;orl , stressing initi"lly the positive !onstru!tive vie;, but "lso "llo;ing

for " &or"l f"ilure "n f"ll of soul' 0h"tever the egree of the f"ll, ho;ever, Plotinus insiste th"t soul "l;"ys ret"ine in p"rt its presen!e in the intelligible ;orl fro& ;hi!h it !"&eE"n origin"l "n notorious theory often reGe!te by his su!!essors' %&
%&

)f' "lso ( 1, 2F $ist 319:94, 112 ff'F S?le?H1 319994, 1:9 ff'F Blu&enth"l 3199.4, 132F Fin"&ore 3198.4, 916-'

I"&bli!hus, in p"rti!ul"r, !hose inste" in his "e anima to istinguish bet;een ifferent sorts of soul2 those souls ;ho "re in !lose !onte&pl"tive union ;ith true intelligible being "n "re !o&p"nions of 3O[UVZQMV 4 "n "1in to the go s, "n those souls ;ho, "lre" y before the es!ent to the &"teri"l ;orl , "re &or"lly !orrupt' %n es!ent to the bo y the for&er !"n preserve their free o& "n purity 3 b QPVN4 fro& the bo y' %'
%'

I"&bli!hus, "e an' in Stob"eus, Anth' I 380, 19629F !f' Festugigre 319.06.-4, III 223, ;ho points out the p"r"llels ;ith the Phaedrus'

#his type of es!ent !orrespon s to the first re"son for es!ent th"t I"&bli!hus gives, n"&ely to purify, perfe!t, "n thus /s"ve/ the &"teri"l ;orl , " t"s1 th"t oes not see& to i&ply loss of purity 3 d QUPVR4 in the soul !on!erne ' #he other re"sons for es!ent, &or"l i&prove&ent "n punish&ent, !orrespon r"ther to the se!on 1in of soul, th"t ;hi!h is "lre" y before the es!ent &or"lly f"llen' In this l"tter type of es!ent, the
en p'38

soul loses its in epen en!e "n be!o&es i&pli!"te in &"teri"l e8isten!e' %(
%(

I"&bli!hus, "e an' in Stob"eus, Anth' I 380, :61-F Festugigre, III 222' I"&bli!hus "lso istinguishes bet;een pure 3 d QUPVR4 "n i&pure souls in "e myst' :9, 12619F 81, 8610F 83, 268F 8, 1.69, 1, "!!or ing to the "lign&ent of soul 3O[UP PP PQN4' )f' Steel 319984, 8., "n &ore gener"lly on Neopl"toni! interpret"tion of the Phaedrus, Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I(, intro u!tion, "n on the proble& of the es!ent of the soul Festugigre 319.06-4, III :369:F (ollen;ei er 3198.4, 1:263F "n espe!i"lly Fin"&ore 3198.4, 9-6111 for " useful "n et"ile is!ussion'

0h"tever one &"y thin1 of this re" ing of Pl"to, it helps to bring out "t le"st the gener"l !onte8t in ;hi!h I"&bli!hus interprets Pyth"gor"s "s " soul6!o&p"nion of the go s /sent o;n/ to s"ve &"n1in ' #he gener"l !onte8t is the proble& pose by Pl"to/s i"logues !on!erning the purpose of soul in the &"teri"l ;orl ' In I"&bli!hus/ vie;, Pyth"gor"s/ soul is one of those pure souls th"t "re !o&p"nions of the go s "n th"t h"ve "!!ess to 1no;le ge of intelligible truths' Pyth"gor"s/ soul is sent o;n2 his is " &ission of s"lv"tion, through the 1no;le ge he !"n !o&&uni!"te, to the other sorts of soul, ;ho h"ve f"llen "n , plunge in the illusions of &"teri"l e8isten!e, h"ve forgotten their origin "n true n"ture' %)
%)

)f' Plotinus, ( 1, 1' In !ontr"st Pyth"gor"s 1ne; his soul, P R ^ N 3I"&bli!hus, Vit3 Pyth' 9:, 36.4'

U bQ Z ^ U R P Oc TQ O Y]Y

For su!h souls, "pp"rently un"ble to s"ve the&selves, Pyth"gor"s pl"ys " refor&ing "n s"ving role, reve"ling to the& the ivine ;is o& to ;hi!h he is privy' I"&bli!hus/ interpret"tion of Pyth"gor"s provi es " &e"ns of eter&ining the purpose of his en!o&i"sti! biogr"phy of Pyth"gor"s, "t le"st in its e"rlier !h"pters' #he ;on rous stories of Pyth"gor"s/ birth, e u!"tion, "n tr"vels !onstitute, not " biogr"phi!"l n"rr"tive, but "n "!!u&ul"tion of evi en!es "n signs, re!ogni?e by those th"t ;itnesse the&, of Pyth"gor"s/ uniBue rel"tion to the ivine, his privilege "!!ess to intelligible truths, "n his soteriologi!"l &ission' #he Pyth"gore"n legen , in serving to re!o&&en to the re" er Pyth"gor"s/ spe!i"l !l"i& to ivine insight, "lso pro&otes th"t insight, n"&ely the philosophy "n s!ien!es "sso!i"te ;ith Pyth"gor"s' In short, On the Pythagorean Life is " protrepti! to Pyth"gore"n philosophy through "n illustr"tion of the spiritu"l !re enti"ls of the foun er of th"t philosophy' #he l"ter !h"pters "!!o&plish so&e;h"t &ore' #his !"n be in i!"te by &e"ns of " p"ss"ge !on!erning the spee!hes, so full of trite &or"lis&s, th"t Pyth"gor"s is suppose to h"ve &" e to the youths of )roton'
en p'39

*n he !o&pose other su!h , so&e erive fro& history, so&e fro& o!trines, sho;ing !ulture to be " pro u!t !o&&on to the first in e"!h r"!e ' For their is!overies be!"&e the !ulture of the others' %*
%*

2-, 1:620' %n these spee!hes !f' Bur1ert 319924, 11. n' 38'

#his !"n "lso be "pplie to I"&bli!hus/ o;n boo1' #he !h"pters on Pyth"gor"s/ spee!hes, virtues, "n ee s "re &" e up of /history/ "n / o!trines/' #hey point to the origin of the s!ien!es "n philosophy in Pyth"gor"s/ / is!overies/' In so oing they begin "lre" y the initi"tion of the re" er to Pyth"gore"n 1no;le ge, Gust "s Pyth"gor"s h" begun the e u!"tion of the youths by sho;ing the& the "!hieve&ents of the foun ers of their !ulture'

3' Pyth"gore"n Philosophy 3Boo1 II2 #he Protrepti!4

In On the Pythagorean Life Pyth"gor"s "ppe"rs "s the &e i"tor of ;h"t see&s to be the tot"lity of hu&"n s!ien!e "n philosophy 3!f' 88, 2-689, 94' Iet I"&bli!hus "lso !l"i&s " spe!ifi! !h"r"!ter for Pyth"gore"n 1no;le ge' %.
%.

)f' Pr' 9, 1262.F 8, -6.F 2-, 1.619F 10-, 29610., 1 "n 19618'

#his tension bet;een the univers"lity "n the spe!ifi!ity of Pyth"gore"nis& is e"se to so&e egree "s the re" er progresses through the su!!essive boo1s of On Pythagoreanism, follo;ing the pe "gogi!"l progr"&&e going fro& the gener"l "n !o&&on to the spe!ifi! "n Pyth"gore"n' Iet it is "lre" y resolve in prin!iple in the Pl"toni! ev"lu"tion of the v"rious for&s of 1no;le ge ;hi!h I"&bli!hus intro u!es in es!ribing Pyth"gor"s/ s!ientifi! "!hieve&ents in the

Life 318, 19619, 1042 th"n1s to Pyth"gor"s, he s"ys, the ,ree1s "!Buire " !on!eption of the go s, heroes, "n e&ons, of the ;orl , of "strono&i!"l pheno&en", "n of "ll things in the physi!"l universeF su!h " !on!eption ;"s !orre!t "n suit"ble 3li1ely, VNb[N Q4 for these things, not in !onfli!t ;ith "ppe"r"n!es' But s!ien!es "lso 3TQ^ TQPQ4 "n !onte&pl"tion 3^ c Q4 "n "ll th"t ;hi!h is s!ientifi! 3 ZNOP]TVUNb 4, ;hi!h opens the &in /s eye, purifying it /so "s to be "ble to see the true prin!iples "n !"use of "ll things/E"ll this too ;"s &e i"te by Pyth"gor"s' 5y p"r"phr"se of this p"ss"ge e&ph"si?es the !ontr"st I"&bli!hus is &"1ing bet;een for&s of 1no;le ge ;hi!h "re /li1ely/ "s to their truth 3those h"ving to o ;ith &"teri"l re"lity4 "n those th"t "re s!ientifi! "n true 3those h"ving to
en p'-0

o ;ith i&&"teri"l obGe!ts4' #his !ontr"st, inspire by Pl"to/s !imaeus 329 b6 4, sho;s th"t not "ll th"t Pyth"gor"s !o&&uni!"te is of eBu"l s!ientifi! v"lue' 0e !"n infer th"t ;h"t is spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n is ;h"t is &ost i&port"nt "n truly s!ientifi!, the stu y th"t le" s the &in up to, "n !on!erns un!h"nging i&&"teri"l re"lity' #his is in ee ho; I"&bli!hus efines the philosophy of Pyth"gor"s, follo;ing here, "ppropri"tely enough, Ni!o&"!hus' %/
%/

Vit3 Pyth' 89, 23690, 11 3!f' the referen!es to Ni!o&"!hus in +eubner/s app'4F !f' 32, 19621F -0, .61-'

#he s"&e position, presente in gre"ter et"il, !"n be foun in the Protreptic' <"ving tre"te of Pyth"gor"s in the pre!e ing volu&e, I"&bli!hus here begins his "!!ount of the rest of Pyth"gore"nis&, i'e' Pyth"gore"n philosophy "n s!ien!e' <o;ever, in or er to intro u!e "n /turn/ the re" er/s soul to this subGe!t, " progression fro& the gener"l to the spe!ifi! &ust be observe ' #he progression is "!!o&plishe in the Protreptic in three st"ges2 " protrepti! to philosophy in gener"l, not restri!te to " spe!ifi! syste& 3!h"pters 2634F &0
&0

#his st"ge !"n in!lu e Pyth"gore"n &"teri"ls, use ho;ever "s " protrepti! to philosophy in gener"l 3!f' 1:, 96104'

"n inter&e i"te protrepti! &i8ing in the gener"l ;ith the Pyth"gore"n 3!h"pters -6204F " fin"l protrepti! to the te!hni!"l e&onstr"tions of the Pyth"gore"ns 3!h"pter 214' &$
&$

Su!h "t le"st is the progr"&&e "nnoun!e in Pr' 9, 1268, 9' 0e sh"ll fin th"t it !h"nges so&e;h"t ;hen ;e re"!h !h' 21' For the tr"nsitions bet;een st"ges !f' 1:, 11612F 10-, 2:610., .'

I sh"ll is!uss briefly the spe!ifi! Pyth"gore"nis& intro u!e in the se!on "n thir st"ges of the progression' %f !h"pters -620, . "n 13 "re &ost !le"rly inten e "s spe!ifi!"lly /Pyth"gore"n/' )h"pter . begins "s follo;s2 0e &ust "lso use "s " protrepti! the Pyth"gore"n istin!tions the&selves' Su!!in!tly, in ee perfe!tly "n Buite ifferently fro& other philosophies i the Pyth"gore"ns ivi e the "rgu&ent e8horting to philosophy, in this follo;ing his te"!hings, s1illfully strengthening "n !onfir&ing ;ith highly s!ientifi! "n !oherent e&onstr"tions 3 ZVM W ONU4' 32-, 1-6214 #he istin!tions th"t follo;, &%
&%

)f' 2-, 2362., 2F 29, 12613F 29, 226.F 28, 19621F 29, 1.619F 30, 1261.'

"n the /s!ientifi! e&onstr"tions/ th"t "re b"se on the&, "re "l&ost entirely erive fro& sele!te p"ss"ges in Pl"to/s i"logues2 I"&bli!hus re&oves the i"logue for& fro& the Pl"toni! te8ts, isol"ting the pre&ises "n !on!lusions to be foun in the te8ts, so "s to pro u!e " !h"in of "rgu&ents h"ving the "ppe"r"n!e
en p'-1

of " rigorous logi!"l e&onstr"tion' &&

&&

)f' the Gu8t"pose te8ts in ="rsen 319924, I 10.611 "n I"&bli!hus/ syllogi?ing "n"lysis of the Alci-iades "s reporte by Pro!lus 3I"&bli!hus, fr' 2, -6.4' Syllogi?e versions of Pl"to !"n be foun "lre" y in *lbinus, "id' !h' :'

#he !on!lusion of the "rgu&ents is to !"ll for " see1ing of /the &ost perfe!t ;is o&/, ;hi!h involves rule of the soul over the bo y, !ultiv"tion of the soul "n its highest p"rt, intelle!t, ;hose ;is o& brings us in rel"tion to the ivine 3!f' 3:, 2611 "n 2-6:4' 0h"t is note;orthy, ho;ever, is not so &u!h the !on!lusions of the "rgu&ents, ;hi!h "re not une8pe!te , "s their for&2 they "re " spe!ifi!"lly /Pyth"gore"n/ protrepti!, be!"use they "re /s!ientifi! e&onstr"tions/' #he use of Pl"toni! te8ts not only presupposes th"t Pl"tonis& is Pyth"gore"nis&F it "lso &"1es the Pl"toni! te8ts &ore truly /Pyth"gore"n/ by giving to the& " rigorous logi!"l stru!ture' In the /Pyth"gore"n/ protrepti! in !h"pter 13 &'
&'

)f' b

YQNQ, Pr' -, 2.'

I"&bli!hus "g"in resorts to p"r"phr"sing Pl"to, espe!i"lly the Phaedo ;hose e&ph"sis on " u"lity bet;een soul "n bo y, on soul/s nee to es!"pe the bo y through purifi!"tion "n to rise to the i&&"teri"l re"l&, &"1es e8pli!it the other;orl ly stru!ture of re"lity &(
&(

Note I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ents "t :., 18620F 90, 961.'

presuppose by the ethi!"l "rgu&ents of !h"pter .' 0hen the re" er re"!hes !h"pter 21 "n ";"its the thir , &ost spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n initi"tion, he fin s "n interpret"tion of " v"riety of Pyth"gore"n !rypti! utter"n!es 3O TXVYQ4, to ;hi!h is "pplie , "ll over "g"in, the triple protrepti! &o e2 gener"l, &i8e , spe!ifi! 310-, 2:610., 184' *n ;h"t is s"i to be /&ore Pyth"gore"n/ 3m[^Q\V Nb P VU4 &)
&)

* Ni!o&"!he"n e8pression 3!f' "non' !heol3 arith' .:, 134'

"
&*

s little to ;h"t h"s "lre" y been foun in !h"pters . "n 13' &*
)f' 11:, 2:6119, :F 120, 196121, 3'

#here is, ho;ever, " p"ss"ge th"t is ;orth noting' In e8pl"ining the utter"n!e /+o not !ut in t;o ;h"t is on the ro" /, I"&bli!hus s"ys2 Philosophy in ee , it see&s, is " ro" ' &.
&.

)f' Ni!o&"!hus, Intro' 9, 19 3insertion in " Buote fro& KPseu o6L Pl"to, pinomis 992 " 34F #heon of S&yrn", &p' 9, 968'

&e"ns then2 !hoose th"t philosophy "n th"t ro" to ;is o& in ;hi!h you ;ill not /!ut in t;o/, in ;hi!h you ;ill propoun , not !ontr" i!tions, but fir& "n un!h"nging truths strengthene by s!ientifi! e&onstr"tion through s!ien!es 3TQ^]T PcU4 "n !onte&pl"tion 3^ c QR4, th"t is, philosophi?e in the Pyth"gore"n &"nner 3m[^Q\V Nbc R4' ' ' ' #h"t philosophy ;hi!h tr"vels through !orpore"l things "n sense6obGe!ts, ;hi!h &ore re!ent thin1ers i&&o er"tely " opt 3thin1ing
en p'-2

go "n the Bu"lities "n soul "n the virtues "n si&ply "ll the pri&e !"uses in re"lity "re bo y4, is slippery "n e"sily reversibleE;itness the very ifferent "!!ounts of itE;here"s the philosophy ;hi!h progresses through i&&"teri"l etern"l intelligible obGe!ts th"t "l;"ys re&"in the s"&e "n o not " &it in the&selves of estru!tion or !h"nge, , li1e its subGe!t6&"tter, is unerring "n fir&, pro u!ing groun e "n uns;erving proof' 3118, 962:4' %ne ;ill re!ogni?e in this p"ss"ge the Nu&eni"n "ssi&il"tion bet;een ifferent philosophies "n their !orrespon ing 3i'e' i&&"teri"l "n &"teri"l4 levels of re"lity' &/
&/

)f' "bove, pp' 11612'

#he !ontr"st, ho;ever, is not bet;een Pyth"gore"n Pl"tonis& "n the *!" e&y, but bet;een Pyth"gore"n Pl"tonis& "n &"teri"list, espe!i"lly Stoi!, philosophy' '0
'0

For the Stoi! i entifi!"tion of soul, Bu"lity, virtue "s bo y, !f' SV$ In e8 vol' s' vv'

P , ZVN

P]R, k[d , or, for e8"&ple, Plotinus, I( 9, 8, 2: ff' I"&bli!hus is "lso "llu ing to the Stoi! spirit th"t tr"vels 3dc V[ OQ4, i&pl"usibly for *ristoteli"ns "n Pl"tonists, through p"ssive &"tter' #here &"y be "n "llusion to 7pi!ure"nis& in /uns;erving/ 3 bYNU R4' )f' 12., -68 for "nother !ontr"st bet;een &"teri"list 3/Ioni!/4 "n i&&"teri"list 3/It"li!/4 philosophy'

#he !ontr"st serves to bring out, yet "g"in, I"&bli!hus/ 3Ni!o&"!he"n4 i entifi!"tion of the s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter of Pyth"gore"nis& "s its spe!ifi! !h"r"!teristi!, "n his groun ing of this s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter on the spe!ifi! 3i'e' i&&"teri"l "n un!h"nging4 n"ture of the obGe!ts ;ith ;hi!h it is !on!erne ' '$
'$

)f' "lso 111, 1.61:F 11-, 2-68F 110, 2.6111, 1F 119, 2.6:F 120, .68 "n 206:'

%ne &ore te8t &ust be Buote before this revie; of the n"ture of Pyth"gore"n philosophy, "s it is presente in the Protreptic, !"n be !on!lu e ' #he p"ss"ge is foun in "n e"rlier p"rt of the boo1 323, 2162-, 342 !onte&pl"tes the one, the go"l of "ll !onte&pl"tion' *n yet he intro u!e " gre"ter goo , th"t !onsisting in being "ble to see fro& here, "s if fro& " ;"t!h6 to;er '%
'%

Pl"to, 'ep' --. ! -F Nu&enius, fr' 2, .610 3!f' es Pl"!es/s e ition, 10- n' 24'

, go "n "ll in the tr"in 3O[OPVNd 4 of go ' For if go presi es over "ll truth, h"ppiness, "ll being, !"uses, prin!iples, ;e &ust see1 espe!i"lly to "!Buire th"t s!ien!e, through ;hi!h ;e ;ill see hi& !le"rly "n through ;hi!h ;e ;ill fin " s&ooth ro" to hi&' #he &et"phor of philosophy "s " ro" o!!urs here in "n ontologi!"l l"n s!"pe th"t is " goo e"l &ore !o&pli!"te th"n th"t in !h"pter 212 there "ppe"rs to be "n ulti&"te !"use of /being, !"uses,
en p'-3

prin!iples/, to ;hi!h !orrespon s " s!ien!e th"t oes not "ppe"r to be " s!ien!e !on!erne Gust ;ith true un!h"nging beings' #he te8t gives strong e8pression to the pre6e&inen!e of evotion to the ivine in Pyth"gore"nis&' '&
'&

)f' 112, 9619F 108, 19620F 111, 163'

But one &ust progress further in I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 to fin "ny !l"rifi!"tion of the stru!ture of re"lity 3obviously not " si&ple t;o6;orl , i&&"teri"l6&"teri"l stru!ture4 "n of the syste& of s!ien!es th"t it presupposes'

-' Pyth"gore"n 5"the&"ti!"l S!ien!e 3Boo1 III2 %n ,ener"l 5"the&"ti!"l S!ien!e4

If Pyth"gor"s !o&&uni!"te "ll sorts of 1no;le ge to &"n1in , it is only those s!ien!es le" ing up to, "n !on!erne ;ith, un!h"nging i&&"teri"l re"lity ;hi!h "re spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n' In this se!tion I sh"ll is!uss the spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n s!ien!es, in p"rti!ul"r the four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, their istin!tion fro& the 3other4 p"rts of philosophy, "n their "ppli!"bility outsi e the &"the&"ti!"l sphere, "s these subGe!ts "re bro"!he in Boo1 III of On Pythagoreanism' #he four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "re istinguishe fro& other s!ien!es in goo Pl"toni! f"shion, n"&ely by &e"ns of the ifferen!e bet;een their obGe!ts of stu y "n the obGe!ts of other s!ien!es' 5"the&"ti!s h"s to o ;ith re"lities th"t "re inter&e i"ry bet;een pure intelligibles 3;hi!h "re i&&"teri"l "n in ivisible4 "n sensibles 3&"teri"l "n ivisible4' ''
''

%r, &ore pre!isely, for&s ivi e in bo ies 3Z P O TQPQ T NOP 4, i'e' en&"ttere for&sF !f' Plotinus, I( 2, 1, 33 ff' %n I"&bli!hus/ /re"lis&/ !f' 5erl"n 319:04, 11 ff'F 0e berg 319..4, 1061., 996109'

5"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts "re thus i&&"teri"l "n ivisible, higher th"n sensibles "n lo;er th"n intelligibles, " bri ge Goining !"uses to their effe!ts 310, 8611, 9F 9., .6 1-4' In f"!t the &"the&"ti!"l re"l& is " eriv"tion fro& i&&"teri"l being 310, 2-6 11, 34F it is p"r"siti! on i&&"teri"l being "s sh" o;s epen on the obGe!ts !"sting the&' #herefore it is to be !on!eive , not by "bstr"!tion fro& &"teri"l re"lity, but by referen!e to i&&"teri"l being ;hi!h it i&"ges' #he inferior i&"ge st"tus it h"s in rel"tion to true being is e8presse in its properties of Bu"ntity "n

e8tensionF its ten en!y to l"!1 of &"ss 3P V\bVU, " Plotini"n neologis&4 "n in ivisibility in i!"tes its orient"tion to;"r s true being 33-, 106184' If I"&bli!hus/ i entifi!"tion of the re"l& of &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts "s
en p'--

inter&e i"ry bet;een the &"teri"l ;orl "n i&&"teri"l being re!"lls the tre"t&ent of the ontologi!"l st"tus of su!h obGe!ts in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic, "s ;ell "s in *ristotle/s report on Pl"to 3Metaphysics A :4, the et"ils of his es!ription of their eriv"tion fro& "n epen en!e on i&&"teri"l being re&in one &ore of the ;"y Plotinus presents the pro!ession of soul fro& intelle!t 3;hi!h is pure being4 "n its rel"tion to intelle!t' '(
'(

)f' Plotinus, ( 1, 3, 9 ff'F 9, 3: ff' 5erl"n 319:04, 13, notes " si&il"rity ;ith the &"1ing of souls in Pl"to, !im, 3. "'s

*t "ny r"te this ontologi!"l stru!ture of three re"l&s sets &"the&"ti!s, off fro& other s!ien!es, not"bly the stu y of intelligibles, i'e' i"le!ti!, ')
')

)f' -:, 9613F 39, 236:' It is not !le"r if " istin!tion bet;een " s!ien!e of intelligibles "n " s!ien!e of the ivine is to be &" eF !f' Vit3 Pyth' 88, 2.6:F Comm' .., 8619F :3, 2-6:-, -F 91, 136 18'

"n th"t !on!erne ;ith sensibles, i'e' physi!s 318, 136204' #he gener"l ontologi!"l ifferenti"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"l "n other obGe!ts "lso helps to !h"r"!teri?e the spe!ifi!ity of p"rti!ul"r &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "n theore&s' =i&it "n the unli&ite , for e8"&ple, t;o prin!iples 3 dQ 4 of &"the&"ti!"l re"lity 3V O Q4, sho; the !h"r"!teristi! of their n"ture 3 M cTQ P] R V O QR .3, 134, i'e' ivisibility, ;hi!h istinguishes the& fro& the eBuiv"lent prin!iples in the intelligible re"l&' '*
'*

12, 2.613, 28F !f' 18, 13620F .0, 1-62:'

Su!h "lso is the !"se for Bu"ntity, ;hi!h &ust be istinguishe in its &"the&"ti!"l for& fro& Bu"ntity in pure intelligibles or in sensibles 3.2, .684' 5"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "re ifferenti"te "lso fro& the prin!iples of psy!hi! re"lity 3V O Q4 by virtue of their un!h"nging !h"r"!ter 313, 961.F 18, 1:6184' #hus to our list of s!ien!es shoul be " e psy!hology, ;hi!h tre"ts of " re"l& of being p"r"llel, it see&s, to the &"the&"ti!"l re"l&, ;ith i&port"nt rese&bl"n!es 3"s note "bove4 to the &"the&"ti!"l re"l&, but not to be !onfuse ;ith it' '.
'.

)h' 10F ho;ever the tre"t&ent of the rel"tion bet;een psy!hi! "n &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts is f"r fro& !le"r in the ;or1 "s " ;holeF !f' 5erl"n 319:04, 1.623, on the in!onsisten!ies of tre"t&ent'

I"&bli!hus "lso refers to s!ien!es !on!erne ;ith "!tion 3ethi!s, politi!s4 "n &"1ing' '/
'/

)f' .:, -68F .9, 226-F 9-, 36-F 88, 29630F 91, 29692, -' It is !le"r th"t I"&bli!hus is using "n *ristoteli"n ivision of the s!ien!es su!h "s h" been use to "rti!ul"te Pl"tonis& by so&e 5i le Pl"tonists "n by PorphyryF !f' %/5e"r" 3198:4, .'

#he rel"tion of &"the&"ti!s, not only to these l"tter pr"!ti!"l "n pro u!tive s!ien!es, but "lso to the theoreti!"l s!ien!es "lre" y &entione ;ill be !onsi ere belo;' For the &o&ent the syste& of s!ien!es portr"ye in the On General Mathematical Science "n
en p'-.

the pl"!e of &"the&"ti!s in th"t syste& &ight be represente "s follo;s, ;ith the proviso th"t !ert"in "spe!ts ;ill reBuire refine&ent "t " l"ter st"ge2

Structure of reality System of sciences the i3ine% &ure inte00i!i'0e 'ein! 5heo0o!(% ia0ectic 4athe4atica0s% sou0s arith4etic !eo4etr( &s(cho0o!( 4usic astrono4( &h(sics ethics7&o0itics sensi'0e o'6ects sciences of &ro uction
In this i"gr"& I h"ve represente the four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es in es!en ing or er' #his is ho; I"&bli!hus ten s to tre"t the&, n"&ely "s if they !orrespon e to four sub6re"l&s of &"the&"ti!"l re"lity, e"!h of ;hi!h is erive fro& "n inferior to the higher' (0
(0

1-, 2361., 2 C Ni!o&"!hus, Intro' 9, 1.610, 22F 83, 9611F note \ cT P Nb V O Q in I"&bli!hus 18, :69'

#hus nu&bers ;oul be higher th"n, "n the sour!es of, geo&etri!"l figures, "n so "rith&eti! ;ill be !orrespon ingly fun "&ent"l "n prior to geo&etry' 5ust ;e then !on!lu e th"t the obGe!ts of "strono&y erive fro& the obGe!ts of &usi!> It &ust be " &itte th"t I"&bli!hus offers, not one, but sever"l prin!iples for or ering the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, none of ;hi!h "re !o&prehensively "pplie "n re!on!ile ;ith other prin!iples of or er' For e8"&ple, the subor in"te st"tus of &usi! "n "strono&y !"n be &e"sure in ter&s of their lesser rel"tion to i&&"teri"l being, "n ontologi!"l or er th"t nee not ent"il " eriv"tion of the obGe!ts of &usi!, for inst"n!e, fro& geo&etri!"l figures' ($
($

)f' 9., 1-69:, 3F ,e&inus in Pro!lus, In ucl' 38, 1612F *n"tolius, &c' 299, 136298, -' I"&bli!hus !ites in !h' 9 Ni!o&"!hus/ !l"ssifi!"tion of the four s!ien!es 3Intro' -, 1.68, 94 "s e"ling ;ith "bsolute "n rel"tive ZVO U 3"rith&eti! "n &usi!4, "bsolute "n rel"tive Z]Y bVU 3geo&etry "n "strono&y4, "n or er th"t see&s in!onsistent ;ith " si&ple ire!t subor in"tion going fro& "rith&eti! o;n to "strono&y'

Si&il"rly, "lthough it is i&plie th"t pure intelligible being is the sour!e of nu&bers, it "lso loo1s "s if in one p"ss"ge 31., :6234 nu&bers erive ire!tly fro& the !"use of being, /the %ne/, "n fro& " &"tter6li1e !"use, "n not in ire!tly through being' I"&bli!hus si&ply h"s not e8presse hi&self !le"rly enough for " !onsistent pi!ture to e&erge on these &"tters' (%
(%

)f' "lso .0, 1- ff' %n the b"sis of su!h in!onsisten!ies 5erl"n 319:04, 98 ff', "rgues th"t 1., 9 ff' is "n e8!erpt fro& Speusippus' )f' #"rHn 319814, 8: ff'
en p'-:

#o return to the istin!tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"l "n other s!ien!es, this istin!tion !"n "lso be &" e in ter&s of the &etho proper to &"the&"ti!s "s !o&p"re to the &etho of other s!ien!es' I"&bli!hus !h"r"!teri?es &"the&"ti!"l &etho "s is!ursive, using YV\NOT R' It !orrespon s to the !"l!ul"tive thought proper to soul in Plotinus 3e'g' ( 3, 3, 1-61.4 "n to the is!ursive thin1ing, MN UVNQ, "ssigne to &"the&"ti!s in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic' In Plotinus "n I"&bli!hus, is!ursive thought is !onsi ere inferior to " non is!ursive intelle!tu"l /intuition/, UV[ R, of 3"n !orrespon ing to4 pure being' #hus for I"&bli!hus the stu y of intelligibles gr"sps its obGe!ts "s if /by tou!h/ 3bQP a ZQ U4, ;here"s &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e &ust oper"te by &e"ns of " re"soning pro!ess 3MN Y \V[4' (&
(&

Comm' 33, 1962.F 3., 11622F 39, 1362:' )f' 5erl"n 319:04, 12'

I"&bli!hus es!ribes the is!ursive re"soning of &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e "s /syllogisti!/ 33., 1:6194' Su!h re!ourse to " ter& of logi! r"ises the issue of the rel"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"l &etho "n logi!, " Buestion !onsi ere in !h"pter 29' #he i e" th"t &"the&"ti!s &"y erive its &etho fro& logi! is reGe!te outright2 the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es h"ve " &etho or logi! of their o;n' 7le&ents of this logi! "re liste 2 ivision, efinition, v"rious 1in s of syllogis&s, &o es of the possible, i&possible, "n ne!ess"ry' * istin!tion is "lso &" e bet;een heuristi! "n !riti!"l &etho ' ('
('

)f' 89, 1:690, 2-F 93, 236-F -:, 1613F :., 9622' I"&bli!hus/ tre"t&ent is too brief to per&it of inferring ;h"t sort of logi! 3*ristoteli"n, Stoi!, " &i8ture4 he h"s in &in ' For the heuristi!`!riti!"l istin!tion !f' *tti!us, fr' 1, 18, "n the heuristi!` e&onstr"tive istin!tion in *ristotle 3!f' I"&bli!hus, In Nic' -, 2-4'

I"&bli!hus oes not go "ny further th"n " b"re enu&er"tion of su!h ele&ents of &"the&"ti!"l logi!, but "n "ppli!"tion of this i e" !"n be foun "t " l"ter "te in Pro!lus/ use of logi!"l "n"lysis to set forth the stru!ture of 7u!li e"n geo&etri!"l e&onstr"tions' ((
((

In ucl' :9, 8 ff'F !f' 5ueller 3199-4F belo;, )h' 8'

#he "ppli!"tion of logi! to &"the&"ti!s ;"s not i&pl"usible2 *ristotle hi&self freBuently refers to &"the&"ti!s in e8pl"ining his logi!' It see&s in ee th"t I"&bli!hus !onsi ers th"t logi! !"n be illu&in"te by &"the&"ti!"l &etho ' ()
()

91, 18623'

%ne &ight note fin"lly th"t this !h"pter !l"rifies !onsi er"bly I"&bli!hus/ e"rlier e&ph"sis on the / e&onstr"tive/ !h"r"!ter of Pyth"gore"n philosophy2 he h"s in &in the syllogisti! logi! th"t he fin s in the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, ;hi!h le" s up to the non is!ursive intuition proper to the stu y of intelligibles' If &"the&"ti!s is istinguishe fro& other s!ien!es in ter&s of its
en p'-9

proper obGe!ts "n &etho , it !"n "lso be e8ten e beyon its spe!ifi! o&"in to "ll p"rts of philosophy' (*
(*

)f' .9, 969F .-, 2.6.., .F In Nic' 3, 13 ff'

#he s"&e &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples !"n be use to !l"rify &"ny ifferent, non6 &"the&"ti!"l subGe!ts 392, 1862-4' #he rel"tion bet;een the stu y of intelligibles, &"the&"ti!s, "n physi!s is p"rti!ul"rly !lose2 they "re neighbours, sh"ring theore&s in !o&&on, " !ontinuity !orrespon ing to the !ontinuity in the stru!ture of re"lity going fro& the re"l& of the intelligibles, through &"the&"ti!"l, to sensible obGe!ts 388, 1962:4' *t the s"&e ti&e the ifferent s!ien!es &ust not be !onfuse ;ith e"!h other 388, 30689, 24' In or er to sho; ho; &"the&"ti!s !"n be "pplie outsi e its proper o&"in "n in " ;"y th"t oes not involve !onfusion bet;een it "n other s!ien!es, I sh"ll revie; briefly I"&bli!hus/ "!!ount of the use of &"the&"ti!s in e"!h of the v"rious non6&"the&"ti!"l br"n!hes of philosophy' 3i4 5"the&"ti!s "n pure intelligibles' *!!or ing to I"&bli!hus, ;ho is using here ;ithout "!1no;le ge&ent " te8t t"1en fro& Plotinus, &"the&"ti!s prep"res the soul for the stu y of intelligibles by h"bitu"ting it to the i&&"teri"l, purifying "n strengthening it for the tr"nsition to pure being' (.
(.

.., 8622 3C Plotinus, I 3, 3, :694F !f' .9, 13618'

It "lso "nti!ip"tes the stu y of intelligibles to so&e egree by e"ling ;ith pure beings "!!or ing to v"rious sorts of !o&p"risons or "ssi&il"tions 3 UQ V Q 4 liste "s follo;s 3:1, 226842 3a 4 3- 4 3c4 3d 4 !o&&on r"tion"l prin!iples 3bVNUcU Q Pc U Q Pc U Y \cU4F " i& i&"ging 3 T QO R PNR T[M 4F si&il"rity 3 TVN P]R4, ne"r or ist"ntF rese&bl"n!e 3 Z NbQO Q4, bet;een &o el 3beings4 "n i&"ge 3nu&bers4F (/
(/

)f' :3, 2369 for this &o e in rel"tion to go s "n nu&bers'

3e4 !"us"tion 3Q P Q4, the rel"tion bet;een !"use 3beings4 "n effe!t 3nu&bers4' It ;ill be ne!ess"ry to !onsi er other non6&"the&"ti!"l "ppli!"tions of &"the&"ti!s before the &e"ning of this !l"ssifi!"tion is !onsi ere ' 3ii4 5"the&"ti!s "n Soul' I"&bli!hus tou!hes very little on this' *n "ssi&il"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"l theore&s "n soul/s po;ers "n !on itions is &entione 3:1, 1.6204, but not e8pl"ine ' 3iii4 5"the&"ti!s "n sensible obGe!ts' 5"the&"ti!s e&onstr"tes
en p'-8

truths in physi!s by sho;ing the& to hol for !"uses prior to physi!"l obGe!ts 393, 116184' #his &ight be !o&p"re to Ni!o&"!hus/ proof 3"bove, p' 184, "s hol ing "lso for the physi!"l universe, of the &"the&"ti!"l eriv"tion of "ll for&s of ineBu"lity fro& eBu"lity' In this !onne!tion I"&bli!hus gives "g"in " !l"ssifi!"tion of the b"ses "!!or ing to ;hi!h "ssi&il"tions "re &" e in &"the&"ti!s to sensible obGe!ts 393, 1969-, 10F I o&it 3-4, 3d4, 3e4 "bove, ;hi!h o!!ur "lso in this list42

3f4 "bstr"!tion 3 Q ONR4, en&"ttere for& !onsi ere ;ithout &"tterF )0

)0

*lso :-, 8619'

3g4 /Goining/ 3 Q TV\ 4, ;here &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples le" to, "n tou!h, sensiblesF )$
)$

)f' 93, 9F 19, 1F 91, 13'

3h4 perfe!tion 3P Y cONR4, ;here &"the&"ti!s perfe!ts the i&perfe!tions of sensiblesF )%

)%

)f' 91, 2.6:'

3i4 p"rti!ip"tion 3T PVd 4, ;here sensibles p"rti!ip"te in &"the&"ti!"l obGe!tsF 344 ivision 3MNQ ONR4, ;here " &"the&"ti!"l obGe!t is seen "s ivi e "n &ultiplie in sensiblesF 3%4 !o&p"rison 3ZQ QXVY 4, bet;een &"the&"ti!"l "n sensible for&s' #his !l"ssifi!"tion e&b"rr"sses both by its ri!hness, in the nu&ber of &o es of "ssi&il"tion liste , "n by its poverty, in the e8pl"n"tion of e"!h &o e' If the list is longer for physi!"l th"n for intelligible "ssi&il"tions, it &ight be note "lso th"t I"&bli!hus !oul ;ell h"ve in!lu e so&e of the &o es of physi!"l "ssi&il"tions in the list of /intelligible/ "ssi&il"tions' )&
)&

For e8"&ple, &o e 3i4 is "pplie to theology "t 91, 1361-F the list of &o es for the intelligibles is in "ny !"se not presente "s e8h"ustive 3:1, 284'

#his, together ;ith the f"!t th"t both lists sh"re &o es 3 -4, 3d4, "n 3e4, en!our"ges us to tre"t the lists together, "t le"st "s f"r "s the interpret"tion of their gener"l sense is !on!erne ' %ne stri1ing fe"ture of the lists of &o es of "ssi&il"tion is the l"!1 of !le"r ifferen!e bet;een so&e of the &o es, bet;een 3 c4 "n 3d4 for e8"&ple' It loo1s "s if I"&bli!hus h"s !olle!te the v"rious ter&s, e'g' TV cONR, Z NbQO Q, Q TV\ , to be foun in Pyth"gore"n liter"ture es!ribing the p"iring of nu&bers to v"rious non6&"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts' )'
)'

)f' "bove, pp' 20, 2-, "n Ni!o&"!hus, in "non' !heol3 arith' 99, : 3 VTV cONR, !f' Z NbQO Q in I"&bli!hus/ list, 93, 2-6:4F 93, 11 dUVR 3C T QONR in I"&bli!hus/ list, 9-, 14F -., 10F 3, 2F 22, 1- 3 Q T e NU4'

<is lists then "re not true !l"ssifi!"tions ;ith !le"rly6 efine
en p'-9

"n ifferenti"te !l"sses or spe!ies' Neither "re they, ho;ever, &ere inventories of ter&s2 so&e of the &o es see& to be interpret"tions of Pyth"gore"n p"irings, e'g' &o es 3e4, 3i4, 344' I !on!lu e then th"t I"&bli!hus is giving both " list of Pyth"gore"n ter&s referring to "ssi&il"tions bet;een 3pri&"rily4 nu&bers "n other obGe!ts, "n "n interpret"tion of the b"sis of su!h "ssi&il"tions' #his interpret"tion e&erges &ost !le"rly fro& &o es 3 -4, 3d4, 3e4, 3i4, "n 3442 it is on the b"sis of the !"us"l or p"rti!ip"tory rel"tion 3;hi!h in Pl"tonis& is "lso " rel"tion bet;een &o el "n i&"ge4 bet;een intelligibles "n &"the&"ti!"ls "n bet;een &"the&"ti!"ls "n sensibles, th"t &"the&"ti!"l theore&s "pply to the other t;o re"l&s' Be!"use &"the&"ti!"ls "re / i&/ i&"ges

of intelligibles, ;h"t is true in &"the&"ti!s /sh" o;s forth/ ;h"t is true in the intelligible re"l&' *n be!"use sensibles "re i&"ges of &"the&"ti!"ls, ;h"t is true in &"the&"ti!s is p"r" ig&"ti!"lly true of the physi!"l universe' In the l"tter 3but not in the for&er4 e8tr"pol"tion of &"the&"ti!s, I"&bli!hus is refining Ni!o&"!hus/ "ppro"!h' )(
)(

)f' "bove, p' 18F in tre"ting of &o e 3 i4, i entifie ;ith &o e 3d4, in In Nic' 9-, 1261- 3bQP ' ' ' T PV[O Q bQ VTV cONU4 I"&bli!hus is e8p"n ing on Ni!o&"!hus, Intro' 11-, 19618 3bQPa b UQ4'

Not surprisingly, given the un!le"r rel"tion bet;een the &"the&"ti!"l "n psy!hi! re"l&s, the "ssi&il"tions of &"the&"ti!"ls to soul re&"in obs!ure in I"&bli!hus/ "!!ount' I"&bli!hus "lso follo;s Ni!o&"!hus/ le" ;hen it !o&es to the rel"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!s "n the s!ien!es of "!tion, ethi!s "n politi!s2 &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples h"ve " p"r" ig&"ti! fun!tion in ethi!s "n politi!s 3.:, -613F 91, 29 ff'4' But this is not "ll' Presu&"bly be!"use the obGe!ts of &"the&"ti!s "re not, "s in Ni!o&"!hus, the ulti&"te re"lities, they "re not the ulti&"te st"n "r s of "!tion' #hey le" r"ther to insight into su!h st"n "r s, ;hi!h "re "bove the&' #hus they "lso h"ve " protreptic fun!tion in ethi!s "n politi!s 3!f' 9-, 36-4, r"ising the &in to 1no;le ge of prin!iples ;hi!h shoul gui e "n be the go"l of "!tion' Politi!s, ethi!s, "n physi!s o not, ho;ever, !o&e ;ithin the "&bit of spe!ifi!"lly /Pyth"gore"n/ s!ien!e "n philosophy' #he four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n the stu y of the intelligibles o' ))
))

)f' the !o&bin"tion of Pyth"gore"n TQ^ TQPQ "n ^ c Q in the te8ts Buote "bove, pp' -0, -2'

#he &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es provi e the s!ientifi! e&onstr"tive re"soning ;hi!h foresh" o;s "n prep"res the soul for the non6 is!ursive intuitive intelle!tion of pure i&&"teri"l being "n espe!i"lly of the highest ivine prin!iple, sour!e, "n go"l of everything' 5"the&"ti!s
en p'.0

then is "n!ill"ry to, but "n in ispensible prep"r"tion for, higher s!ien!e' #he !h"r"!ter of this s!ien!e 3or s!ien!es4 "n of its obGe!ts 3being, go s, the %ne ' ' ' 4 )*
)*

)f' "bove, n' -:'

is not !l"rifie in On General Mathematical Science, ;here su!h " !l"rifi!"tion in "ny !"se ;oul be out of pl"!e, or, r"ther, pre&"ture'

.' *rith&eti! 3Boo1 I(2 %n Ni!o&"!hus/ *rith&eti!"l Intro u!tion4

It ;ill not be ne!ess"ry here to o "ny &ore th"n &"1e brief note of so&e "spe!ts of the fourth boo1 of On Pythagoreanism' In line ;ith the over"ll progression fro& the gener"l to the spe!ifi!, it follo;s the pre!e ing gener"l intro u!tion to &"the&"ti!s in Boo1 III "s " spe!ifi! intro u!tion 33, .4 to the first

"n &ost fun "&ent"l of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, "rith&eti!' <"ving tre"te of nu&ber !onsi ere in itself, it ;ill be follo;e by Boo1s (6(II e"ling ;ith nu&ber in rel"tion to n"ture, ethi!s, "n intelligible being 33, 1361:4, these to be follo;e in turn by intro u!tions to the re&"ining three &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es' #he i&port"n!e of Ni!o&"!hus, "s tr"!e in the "bove stu y of Boo1s I6III of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, is &" e e8pli!it in Boo1 I(' For the purpose of intro u!ing the re" er to "rith&eti! I"&bli!hus oes not feel he !"n o better th"n repro u!e Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction to Arithmetic' #he re"sons for his high estee& for Ni!o&"!hus "re ;orth noting 3-, 1-6., 134' I"&bli!hus " &ires Ni!o&"!hus/ style2 pre!ision, brevity, the &ost b"si! "n gener"l &"tters presente in or erly f"shion' #he purity of Ni!o&"!hus/ Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!s is "lso stresse ' #he s!ientifi!, e&onstr"tive !o&&"n of "rith&eti! in Ni!o&"!hus is pr"ise ' In short, Ni!o&"!hus e&bo ies the highest liter"ry "n Pyth"gore"n virtues in I"&bli!hus/ eyes' For these re"sons I"&bli!hus "nnoun!es his intention si&ply to repro u!e Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction, " ing, subtr"!ting, !h"nging nothing' ).
).

., 1.62., ;here I"&bli!hus "lso enies "ny intention to intro u!e foreign &"tters 3bQNU 4F he ;ill repro u!e only the opinions of the /"n!ients/' #his &ight be !o&p"re to Nu&enius/ b"n on bQNUVPVT Q' Nu&enius &"y "lso be the inspir"tion of I"&bli!hus/ stress on the purity of Ni!o&"!hus/ Pyth"gore"nis&'

*s " &"tter of f"!t this !l"i& is not verifie by ;h"t follo;s'

en p'.1

I"&bli!hus oes " to, "n subtr"!t fro&, Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction' %ne ;on ers !onseBuently ;h"t to &"1e of his protest"tions of fi elity' I thin1 these &ight be un erstoo in rel"tion to the Pyth"gore"n !h"rges, reporte in Porphyry/s Life of Pythagoras 3!f' "bove, p' 114, of fr"u , f"lse interpret"tion, pl"gi"ry, "n &"levolent Buot"tion perpetr"te "g"inst Pyth"gore"n ;ritings' Porphyry hi&self, perh"ps &in ful of su!h "buses, &"1es !l"i&s of " ing "n subtr"!ting nothing 3Philosophy from Oracles 109, -4' It is in rel"tion to su!h !h"rges th"t I"&bli!hus/ profession of fi elity to Ni!o&"!hus shoul be Gu ge in !o&p"rison ;ith his "!tu"l pr"!ti!e, ;hi!h is in ee f"ithful in this sense, if not in " &o ern liter"l sense reBuiring e8"!t upli!"tion' #he ifferen!es bet;een Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction "n I"&bli!hus/ /ne; e ition/ of Ni!o&"!hus in Boo1 I( of On Pythagoreanism h"ve "lre" y been !"refully eter&ine ' )/
)/

By +/%oge et al3 3192:4, 129632F /ne; e ition/ is the "pt es!ription of the boo1 in +/%oge, 12:'

* fe; of these &"y be briefly note here' I"&bli!hus fleshes out so&e of Ni!o&"!hus/ st"te&ents, e'g' his efinitions of nu&ber, ;ith infor&"tion r";n fro& Pyth"gore"n liter"ture' *0
*0

)f' +/%oge, 129F In Nic3 10611'

<e in!lu es "t sever"l points !riti!is&s of 7u!li ;hi!h help to bring out the ifferen!e bet;een Ni!o&"!hus/ nu&eri!"l tre"t&ent of "rith&eti! "n 7u!li /s geo&etri!"l "ppro"!h to nu&bers' *$
*$

)f' 20, 1061- "n 19621, 3F 23, 1862-, 1-F 30, 28631, 21F 9-, 2- ff'F Philoponus, In Nic3 I 1:'

Fin"lly, I"&bli!hus gives &ore e&ph"sis to the ethi!"l "n physi!"l i&pli!"tions of nu&ber th"n th"t "lre" y given in Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction' *%
*%

)f' 32, 20633, 10F 99, 2.699, 8F 82, 19 ff'F 113, 1.61:'

#his l"st "spe!t of I"&bli!hus/ " itions to Ni!o&"!hus ;ill be is!usse further in the ne8t !h"pter, in the !onte8t of " re!onstru!tion of Boo1s (6(II of On Pythagoreanism'
en p'.2

& %n Pyth"gore"nis& (6(II2 #he 78!erpts in 5i!h"el Psellus

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
*l&ost nothing ;oul be 1no;n of the l"ter boo1s of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism, "n ;e ;oul in !onseBuen!e h"ve "n i&poverishe "n unb"l"n!e un erst"n ing of the ;or1 "s " ;hole, ;ere it not for the in ustry of 5i!h"el Psellus 310186984, " By?"ntine te"!her, &"n of letters, histori"n, "n politi!i"n, ;ho !opie out e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (, (I, "n (II of On Pythagoreanism before they "n the other l"ter boo1s of the ;or1 is"ppe"re ' In this !h"pter I sh"ll present briefly the "rgu&ent sho;ing th"t !ert"in of Psellus/ ;ritings "re in ee e8!erpts t"1en fro& On Pythagoreanism (6(II, "n sh"ll "tte&pt " re!onstru!tion of these lost boo1s in so f"r "s this !"n be one on the b"sis of Psellus/ e8!erpts' For these purposes it ;ill be useful to !onsi er first so&e "spe!ts of Psellus/ philosophi!"l interests "n ;ritings'

1' 5i!h"el Psellus, Philosophi!"l 78!erptor

5i!h"el Psellus h" " long "n , on the ;hole, brilli"nt !"reer "s " &ost influenti"l &e&ber of the By?"ntine !ourt' <e hi&self fin s the origins of this su!!ess in his liter"ry or rhetori!"l "bilities "n these, together ;ith his philosophi!"l "&bitions, provi e the o!!"sion for unrestr"ine ispl"ys of v"nity' $
$

)f' Chron' I 13869, for e8"&ple'

If s!"r!ely "ppe"ling to us, su!h pretensions ;ere no oubt ;ell !"l!ul"te to proGe!t the /i&"ge/ th"t Psellus ;ishe "n &" e for hi&self "t the By?"ntine !ourt' In support of his !l"i&s he !oul point to "n enor&ous bo y of liter"ture th"t he so&eho; &"n"ge to pro u!e un er his o;n n"&e "n ;hi!h, even to "y, h"s not yet been fully sorte out, printe , "n e8"&ine ' In this v"st !olle!tion of ;ritings %
%

)f' $en"ul 319204, i868vii, -2-6.F Dri"r"s 319:84' #here is "s yet no " eBu"te list of Psellus/ ;or1s, nor sh"ll I "tte&pt one here'

one !"n fin &"ny philosophi!"l, theologi!"l, leg"l, &e i!"l, rhetori!"l, poeti!"l tre"tisesF " l"rge
en p'.3

nu&ber of lettersF " s&"ll en!y!lope i"F " v"riety of for&"l pie!esEp"negyri!"l spee!hesEin ;hi!h Psellus e&onstr"tes his i&pressive rhetori!"l t"lentsF "n the Chronographia, "n i&port"nt history 3often eye6;itness4 of the By?"ntine rulers of his ti&e' In ;h"t follo;s I sh"ll be !on!erne only ;ith those p"rts of Psellus/ enor&ous liter"ry "!tivity th"t h"ve to o ;ith philosophy' #he Chronographia infor&s us "bout Psellus/ philosophi!"l stu ies "n go"ls' <"ving &"stere rhetori! he turne , so he tells us, to philosophy "n le"rnt logi!, physi!s, &"the&"ti!s, "n &et"physi!s' In philosophy he h" to te"!h hi&self2 he !l"i&s th"t he foun /;is o& e8piring in those ;ho p"rtoo1 of it/ "n th"t he /!oul not fin ;orthy te"!hers or " see of ;is o& in ,ree!e or "&ong the b"rb"ri"ns/' &
&

I 13.F for " s!epti!"l vie; of these !l"i&s, !f' =e&erle 319994, 20061, 2-.'

Psellus ;oul h"ve us believe th"t he "!Buire his 1no;le ge of philosophy through his o;n unsupervise re" ing of boo1s, or r"ther th"t these boo1s the&selves gui e hi&2 the l"ter ,ree1 philosophers referre hi& b"!1 to Pl"to "n *ristotle, "fter ;hi!h he returne in his re" ing to l"ter philosophers, Plotinus, Porphyry, I"&bli!hus, en ing ;ith Pro!lus, " /gre"t h"ven/ in ;hi!h he !oul fin "ll 1no;le ge 3I 13:4' If Psellus "tte&pts in this "!!ount to &"1e his e u!"tion in philosophy follo; the progress of the soul fro& logi! "n physi!s to;"r s /higher &ysteries/ 3&et"physi!s4 "s pres!ribe by l"ter Neopl"tonists su!h "s I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus, it is not so &u!h for the "tt"in&ent of su!h &ysteries th"t he ;ishes to be " &ire , "s for his l"bour in r";ing philosophy forth fro& ;ells long negle!te "n blo!1e up, "n in istributing it freely to "ll 3I 1384' *nti!ip"ting 5"rsilio Fi!ino/s un ert"1ing, four !enturies l"ter in It"ly, Psellus is !l"i&ing in f"!t to bring b"!1 to life "n foster ,ree1 philosophy ;hi!h h" long re&"ine hi en "n in"!!essible' '
'

%n the Buestion of the origin"lity of this !l"i&, !f' Bro;ning 3199.4, :F =e&erle 319994, 2--6., ;ho notes th"t Psellus/ /$en"iss"n!e/ ;"s superfi!i"l "n short6live ' Psellus ;"s "lso &ore !ir!u&spe!t "bout the !o&p"tibility of ,ree1 philosophy ;ith )hristi"n o!trine th"n ;"s Fi!inoF !f' <unger 319984, .061F belo;, n' 12'

#o Gu ge by the nu&ber of philosophi!"l ;or1s Psellus pro u!e , his !onte&por"ries &ust h"ve been f"irly floo e by the ne;ly6opene fount"ins of philosophy' #hese ;or1s sho; th"t Psellus re" not only Pl"to, *ristotle, Plotinus, Porphyry, I"&bli!hus, "n Pro!lus, but "lso "l&ost every other ,ree1 philosophi!"l "uthor to be foun in the libr"ries of his ti&e2 *le8"n er of *phro isi"s, *&&onius, *sp"sius, +"vi , 7li"s, <er&i"s, Ne&esius, Philoponus, Plut"r!h,
en p'.-

Si&pli!ius, Synesius, Syri"nus, "n no oubt others' (

(

)f' Psellus, Philos3 min3+ inde& locorum'

<is l"bours thus r"nge over "l&ost the ;hole !orpus of ,ree1 philosophy "s it survive in his "y' #his !orpus ;"s so&e;h"t l"rger th"n it is no;, sin!e he re" "n use so&e ;or1s ;hi!h h"ve sin!e is"ppe"re 2 Pro!lus/ Commentary on Plotinus, his Commentary on the 'Chaldaean Oracles', )
)

)f' 0esterin1 319.94F Psellus, Philos3 min3 nos' 9, 38'

I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II, "n in "ll li1elihoo other ;or1s ;hi!h h"ve not yet been i entifie ' *
*

)f' "lso +iels 318994, 29630F Ben"1is 319:-4F ,"utier 319994, 19-' 0e o;e to Psellus infor&"tion !onfir&ing the "uthorship of I"&bli!hus/ On Mysteries2 Si!herl 319:04' In other fiel s too Psellus use ;or1s no longer e8t"nt2 !f' *uG"! 3199.-4, 0ols1"6)onus 319994'

Not only o Psellus/ philosophi!"l ;or1s sho; very ;i e re" ing of the ,ree1 philosophi!"l &"nus!ripts "v"il"ble to hi&' #hey "re "lso l"rgely e8!erpte fro& these &"nus!ripts' #he ;"ys in ;hi!h Psellus in!orpor"te e8!erpts in his philosophi!"l ;or1s &ight be es!ribe roughly "s follo;s' So&e of his ;ritings "re little &ore th"n !entos &" e up, no oubt, for use by hi&self "n his pupils' *n e8"&ple of this is "n eight6p"ge series of p"ss"ges, so&eti&es slightly rephr"se , sele!te fro& over three hun re p"ges of Ne&esius/ On the Nature of Man' .
.

Philos3 min3 no' 12F !f' "lso no' 13 3C Philoponus, "e an'4' For full referen!es to the sour!es e8!erpte by Psellus in these "n in the ;or1s !ite in ;h"t follo;s see the apparatus fontium of the e ition of Philos3 min'

* so&e;h"t &ore el"bor"te !"se is the short ;or1 on the si8 efinitions of philosophy, in ;hi!h Psellus sele!ts "n !o&bines p"ss"ges t"1en 3;ithout "!1no;le ge&ent4 fro& the Prolegomena to Philosophy of +"vi "n of 7li"s' *t the en Psellus in i!"tes th"t the ;or1 is " synopsis esigne for his pupils/ use, t"1ing "!!ount of their li&it"tions by o&itting &ore !o&pli!"te "n profoun &"tters' /
/

#his ;or1 is to "ppe"r "s p"rt of vol' I of Psellus/ Philos3 min' 3to be publishe in 19914' Psellus es!ribes his e8!erpting on beh"lf of his pupils "s follo;s2 /I ;or1 l"te into the night "n "& b"!1 "g"in "t &y boo1s "t "ybre"1, "s is &y !usto&, not to erive so&ething fro& the& for &yself, but to e8tr"!t the gist of the& for you/, Boisson" e 318384, 1-869' )f' 0ols1"6)onus 319994, :.6:'

0ith this ;or1 &ight be !o&p"re v"rious other pie!es in ;hi!h e8!erpts "re presente "s e8pl"n"tions of !ert"in Buestions, subGe!ts or te8ts' Philos3 min3 no' 9, for e8"&ple, e8pl"ining so&e phr"ses in Pl"to/s Phaedrus, is !o&pile fro& <er&i"s/ Commentary on the Phaedrus, to ;hi!h Psellus " s intro u!tory ;or s' Philos3 min3 no' 11 no&in"lly is!usses ,ree1 o!trines "bout soul, but !onsists in f"!t of sele!tions fro& Pro!lus/ lements of !heologyEPsellus "g"in &erely
en p'..

!ontributes so&e pref"tory ;or s' #he short ;or1 On the $orms is "n interesting !"se2 the ;or1 survives both in the for& of " b"re !ento of e8!erpts t"1en fro& Plotinus, nnead ( 9, "n in " &ore el"bor"te for&, " resse to " high6r"n1ing frien , in ;hi!h Psellus h"s " e " short intro u!tory p"r"gr"ph to the Plotini"n e8!erpts 3"g"in un"!1no;le ge 4' $0
$0

Philos3 min3 no' 33'

(ery &u!h li1e this l"st !"se is " l"rge nu&ber of pie!es, usu"lly Buite short, in ;hi!h the sele!tion of e8!erpts 3"l&ost never e!l"re "s su!h4 is pre!e e by " fe; intro u!tory lines in ;hi!h Psellus !l"i&s to be replying to " Buestion put to hi&' Psellus "lso so&eti&es " s so&e !on!lu ing phr"ses' Not infreBuently oes the "llege o!!"sion of the ;or1, the Buestion put to Psellus, "ppe"r in the ,ree1 sour!e fro& ;hi!h Psellus is e8!erpting' 0e &ust suppose !onseBuently th"t the "llege o!!"sion of the ;or1 is fi!titious, ;hi!h is not to eny th"t in some !"ses Psellus is respon ing to " re"l inBuiry or th"t Psellus h"s i "!ti! purposes in &in ;hen !olle!ting Buestions to put to hi&self "n to his pupils' So&e pie!es "re presente "s if they ;ere letters' =et one e8"&ple of this type suffi!e' In Philos3 min' no' 8 Psellus reports th"t his Buestioner 3or !orrespon ent4 is pu??le by the follo;ing /;on rous/ proble& 3^Q[T ON U ^N ZV OQR42 ;hy, if e"!h of our senses is !o&pose fro& e"!h of the physi!"l ele&ents, "re there five senses, but only four ele&ents> %ne &ight " &ire the eru ition "n "!uity both of Psellus/ pupil or frien "n of Psellus/ "ns;er if one i not fin both the pu??le "n the "ns;er in so&e p"ges of *le8"n er of *phro isi"s' $$
$$

%ther e8"&ples of this sort of ;or12 Philos3 min' nos' -, ., :, 10, 1-, --' )f' 0esterin1 319.94, 23, for other !"ses of bogus Buestions'

Not "ll of Psellus/ philosophi!"l ;or1s "re si&ple !entos of borro;e p"ss"ges presente "s synopses, e8pl"n"tions, or "ns;ers to Buestions' In so&e pie!es his !ontribution goes beyon th"t &erely of e8!erpting "n "ppen ing pref"tory "n `or !on!lu ing phr"ses' <e !"n, in so&e !"ses, !o&p"re the p"g"n ,ree1 &"teri"l he is e8!erpting ;ith )hristi"n o!trine' $%
$%

)f' Philos3 min3 nos' 3., 38'

In other !"ses he in!orpor"tes e!hoes, r"ther th"n p"ss"ges, fro& v"rious ,ree1 sour!es in prose !h"r"!teri?e by !onsi er"ble philosophi!"l i&pre!ision "n by gre"ter re!ourse to rhetori!"l evi!e' Su!h is the pri&"rily orn"&ent"l use &" e of philosophi!"l le"rning in Psellus/ liter"ry sho;6pie!es2 his for&"l letters "n his p"negyri!"l spee!hes' $&

$&

)f' 0ols1"6)onus/ !on!lusions !on!erning Psellus/ leg"l ;or1s 319994, 9968' For "ssess&ents of Psellus "s " philosopher !f' <unger 319984, 21, "n =e&erle 319994, 2--6:' <igh !l"i&s for Psellus/ philosophi!"l "bility h"ve been &" e so f"r in the "bsen!e of reli"ble "n"lysis of Psellus/ sour!es'
en p'.:

2' Psellus/ 78!erpts fro& on Pyth"gore"nis& (6(II

*&ong Psellus/ philosophi!"l ;ritings !"n be foun t;o ;or1s ;hi!h "re &" e up "l&ost entirely of e8!erpts fro& I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II' I &"y be per&itte here to su&&"ri?e "n e8p"n "t so&e points &y "rgu&ent publishe else;here 319814 in support of this i entifi!"tion of the sour!e of the t;o ;or1s in Buestion' In 1892 P"ul #"nnery e ite " s&"ll pie!e by Psellus entitle On Num-ers' <e "lso suggeste th"t On Num-ers &" e use of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II' In ee On Num-ers Buotes " ;or1 of I"&bli!hus, "n /"rith&eti! of higher n"tures/ ;hi!h !"n be i entifie pl"usibly ;ith On Pythagoreanism (II' $'
$'

)f' the pina& !ite "bove, p' 33'

#"nnery/s suggestion ;"s, ho;ever, l"rgely ignore ' In 1981 I sho;e th"t On Num-ers is in f"!t " shortene version of t)o other ;or1s by Psellus entitle On Physical Num-er "n On thical and !heological Arithmetic ' I "lso publishe these t;o ;or1s $(
$(

$eprinte belo; 3*ppen i8 I4' Psellus "lso pro u!e " )hristi"n seBuel to these t;o ;or1s, publishe by ,"utier 319994'

"n pointe to ne; evi en!e in the& !onfir&ing #"nnery/s suggestion "bout Psellus/ sour!e' First, the very titles of Psellus/ t;o ;or1s &"t!h, "n in the right or er, the titles of Boo1s (, (I, "n (II of On Pythagoreanism "s they "re reporte in the pina& in &"nus!ript F2 On Arithmetic in Physical Matters+ On Arithmetic in thical Matters+ On Arithmetic in !heological Matters ' Further&ore, Psellus/ On Physical Num-er, ;hi!h oes not n"&e I"&bli!hus, !ont"ins " p"ss"ge 3lines 90624Enot foun in the short version, On Num-ersEth"t !orrespon s !losely in l"ngu"ge "n !ontent to " report on I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ( to be foun in the fourth`fifth !entury Neopl"tonist Syri"nus2

5he 4ore accurate accounts o not Neither in nature nor in a 4it of a &ara i!4 of the 3oi ( &h(sica0 nu4'er is there ) in nu4'ers 3oi ) Its &ara i!4 1ou0 since there is no 3oi either in 'e nothin! other than 0ack 'ein!s% as Ia4'0ichus sho1s in of har4on( an 0ack of 8ook V of his 1ork on s(44etr( ( ;<< )) 9(tha!oreanis4) (:(rianus% In 8ut 0ack of s(44etr( is

met) *-=% +>.?*)

'anishe fro4 nu4'ers) (9se00us% On Phys Num!) =@.+)

en p'.9

%f these t;o p"ss"ges the one in Psellus is &ore infor&"tive "n "!!ur"te' 0e "re tol ;h"t the p"r" ig& of the voi &ight be 3if there ;ere su!h4 in nu&bersE OUTT P QE"n ;hy there !oul be no su!h p"r" ig& in nu&bers2 nu&bers o not " &it of O[TT P Q' Psellus "lso spe"1s of /n"ture/ r"ther th"n of /beings/ "s oes Syri"nus' But by /beings/ Syri"nus &e"ns /n"tur"l beings/ "n this i&pre!ision, together ;ith the l"!1 of et"il "s !o&p"re to Psellus/ p"ss"ge, is Gust ;h"t one ;oul e8pe!t of " report on I"&bli!hus/ te8t, Gust "s the "!!ur"!y "n gre"ter infor&"tion in Psellus sho; hi& to be follo;ing &ore !losely the I"&bli!he"n origin"l' #he notion th"t there "re in nu&bers p"r" ig&s or &o els of fe"tures of the n"tur"l ;orl is of !ourse to be foun in Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s" "n h"s been seen "bove 3pp' -96.04 to be "pplie by I"&bli!hus "lre" y in On Pythagoreanism III' It is "n i e" th"t !"n be e8pe!te to h"ve been of !onsi er"ble i&port"n!e in Boo1 (' *lthough I"&bli!hus is not n"&e in Psellus/ On Physical Num-er, it is !le"r fro& Syri"nus/ report th"t Psellus is using to so&e e8tent On Pythagoreanism (' <o;ever, in On thical and !heological Arithmetic , roughly "t &i point 3line .34 ;hen &oving fro& /ethi!"l/ to /theologi!"l/ "rith&eti!, Psellus oes n"&e I"&bli!hus, referring to " spe!ifi! ;or1 3"n /"rith&eti! of higher n"tures/4 fro& ;hi!h he Buotes' In vie; of the evi en!e presente so f"r, ;e "re Gustifie in !on!lu ing th"t Psellus is here using On Pythagoreanism (II "n , in the first h"lf of the pie!e, (I' But to ;h"t e8tent o Psellus/ t;o ;or1s refle!t the !ontents of On Pythagoreanism (6(II> *re they e8!erpts fro& I"&bli!hus> %r o they !ont"in no &ore th"n o!!"sion"l e!hoes of I"&bli!he"n the&es, perh"ps !o&bine ;ith " fe; Buot"tions> #he resolution of this proble& !"n be foun in " !o&p"rison bet;een the !o&position"l stru!ture of Psellus/ t;o ;or1s "n the v"rious sorts of philosophi!"l !o&positions es!ribe in the pre!e ing se!tion 3"bove42 the t;o ;or1s in Buestion rese&ble &ost, in "ppro8i&"te length "n stru!ture, those other ;or1s of Psellus ;hi!h "re !o&pil"tions of e8!erpts presente "s replies to Buestions or pu??les, "s the follo;ing brief revie; of their stru!ture ;ill sho;' On Physical Num-er begins "s if it ;ere ;ritten in "ns;er to " Buestion ;hi!h loo1s fi!titious' Psellus/ Buestioner is s"i to h"ve ;on ere &u!h 3 ^Q TQOQR4, on the o!!"sion of " is!ussion the "y before 3P U d^ R O[UV[O QU4, on he"ring fro& Psellus th"t there is /physi!"l nu&ber/ "s ;ell "s &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber, "n hen!e "s1s to
en p'.8

1no; &ore "bout it' $)

$)

=ines 16- 3the Buestion is i&plie in line -, Z P]OQR4'

So "lso i )riti"s beh"veEif not o propos the s"&e subGe!tEin Pl"to/s !imaeus 32. e42 he "lso ;on ere &u!h 3 ^Q TQeVU4 on he"ring So!r"tes/ is!ourse the "y before 3Y \VUPVR ' ' ' d^ R OV[ 4 "bout the i e"l republi!' %ne &"y be per&itte to oubt th"t Psellus "n his frien s " opte the pr"!ti!es of Pl"to/s !h"r"!ters in "ny other "re" th"n th"t of liter"ry !on!eit, "n to suppose th"t Psellus &ust h"ve foun , to;"r s the beginning of On Pythagoreanism (, " Buestion r"ise "bout the v"rious sorts of nu&ber, physi!"l, &"the&"ti!"l, "n intelligible' $*
$*

)f' the p"r"llel te8ts !ite in the notes to lines 368 3belo;, *ppen i8 I4'

#he opening lines of On Physical Num-er "re then follo;e by " series of p"r"gr"phs ;hi!h re" li1e " is!ontinuous series of bits of &"teri"l rel"ting nu&ber to " v"riety of the&es' In " !on!lu ing p"r"gr"ph Psellus, "s is so&eti&es his pr"!ti!e, $.
$.

)f' Philos3 min' nos' 29, 3.'

subs!ribes, but ;ith Bu"lifi!"tions, to these o!trines of /the "n!ients/ 39.694' #he series of bits of &"teri"l !ontinues in On thical and !heological Arithmetic , first rel"ting nu&bers to ethi!"l the&es, "n in the se!on h"lf, &"r1e by the referen!e to I"&bli!hus, e"ling ;ith nu&bers "n theology' In t;o fin"l senten!es 3896904 Psellus !on!lu es by re!ogni?ing th"t these &"tters ;ill prob"bly be unp"l"t"ble for his re" er' #his !o&position"l stru!ture &"t!hes e8"!tly th"t of those pie!es es!ribe "bove in ;hi!h Psellus !"n be observe to be "sse&bling strings of e8!erpts in the guise of "n "ns;er to "n often fi!titious Buestion' #his "llo;s us to !on!lu e th"t, ;ith the e8!eption of so&e intro u!tory "n !on!lu ing ;or s 3roughly lines 1, 9-68 of On Physical Num-erF .3, 81, 89690, in p"rt, of On thical and !heological Arithmetic4, "ll of Psellus/ t;o ;or1s erives, in the for& of brief e8!erpts, fro& I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II' If it is "ssu&e , by "n"logy ;ith Boo1s I6I(, th"t Boo1s (6(II ;ere e"!h the eBuiv"lent of "bout one hun re printe p"ges in length, then the e8!erpts fro& Boo1 ( in Psellus/ On Physical Num-er "&ount to "bout 1`2. of the boo1, "n the e8!erpts in On thical and !heological Arithmetic "&ount to "bout 1`.0 of Boo1s (I "n (II e"!h' 0ith su!h &e"gre re&"ins &ust the "tte&pt to re!onstru!t I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II begin' #he situ"tion is not unli1e th"t in ;hi!h "n!ient pots "re re!onstru!te fro& so&e s!"ttere sher s' 0e &ust try to re!over I"&bli!hus/ lost boo1s fro& s&"ll signs, fr"g&ent"ry in i!"tions of bro" er p"tterns' *s ;ith
en p'.9

sher s, Psellus/ e8!erpts &"y be bro1en off "n "&"ge in ifferent ;"ys2 ;hen e8!erpting, Psellus &"y !opy " p"ss"ge ;or 6for6;or "n in e&tensoF he &"y o&it ;or s, phr"ses, even lines here "n there in the p"ss"geF he !"n

tr"nspose ;or s "n ;hole senten!es, "lter the gr"&&"r, or pi!1 out 1ey ;or s "n phr"ses in su!h " ;"y th"t the sour!e te8t is su&&"ri?e in its o;n ;or s r"ther th"n Buote ' $/
$/

)f' the "n"lysis of Psellus/ e8!erpting pr"!ti!es in *uG"! 3199.-4, ,"utier 319994, 19:'

7"!h pie!e of evi en!e &ust be !onsi ere "n " gener"l p"ttern built up gr" u"lly' It is !le"r th"t "ll th"t !"n be hope for is results th"t "re f"r fro& !o&plete "n th"t &ust be l"rgely tent"tive in n"ture' #he t"s1 of re!onstru!tion is &" e so&e;h"t e"sier ho;ever by the f"!t th"t I"&bli!hus tells us " !ert"in "&ount "lre" y in On Pythagoreanism I6I( "bout his intentions in Boo1s (6(II' Psellus/ e8!erpts ;ill "lso point to v"rious other &etho s f"!ilit"ting re!onstru!tion'

3' %n Pyth"gore"nis& (
3I4 ,ener"l Pl"n
I"&bli!hus in i!"tes "t v"rious points in Boo1 I( ;h"t he inten s to o in the follo;ing three boo1s' Boo1 I( is!usses nu&ber in itself "n is to be follo;e by " tre"t&ent of nu&ber in n"ture, in ethi!"l beh"viour, "n in the For&s or beings 3In Nic' 3, 1361:4' Boo1 ( in p"rti!ul"r is referre to "t In Nic' 118, 12618, ;here I"&bli!hus "nnoun!es his purpose to e"l ne8t ;ith the e!" "n ;ith the /i&pli!"tions/ %0
%0

ZQU^ TQPQ' )f' =S@ s'v'2 /spe!i"l properties/F ;h"t is involve is not so &u!h the spe!i"l properties of nu&bers in the&selves 3 MN TQPQ4, "s ;h"t "rises fro& these properties for non6 &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts'

of the other nu&bers fro& the &on" to the e!" ' #his is then !onne!te up ;ith the first p"ss"ge 33, 1361:4 l"ter, "t the en of Boo1 I( 3 In Nic' 12., 196224, ;hen I"&bli!hus tells us he ;ill sho; the i&pli!"tions of nu&ber, fro& the &on" to the e!" , /or ering &"tters "!!or ing to the physi!"l, the ethi!"l, "n further&ore 3"n prior to these4 the theologi!"l "!!ount 3Y \VR4/' Physi!"l, ethi!"l, "n theologi!"l /"!!ounts/ ;ill thus provi e the fr"&e;or1 in ;hi!h the /i&pli!"tions/ of nu&bers, fro& the &on" to the e!" , ;ill be tre"te ' #his progr"&&e, "rr"nge "!!or ing to three ifferent s!ien!es, is refle!te in the titles of Boo1s (6(II' <o; it is !"rrie out !"n be eter&ine to so&e egree th"n1s to Psellus/
en p':0

e8!erpts' I sh"ll e8"&ine first ;h"t these e8!erpts in i!"te "bout the /i&pli!"tions/ of nu&ber for n"ture, "!!or ing to the /physi!"l "!!ount/, "s these ;ere set forth in On Pythagoreanism (' %$
%$

%f the issues r"ise by Psellus/ e8!erpts I sh"ll is!uss only those rel"ting to the re!onstru!tion of I"&bli!hus/ boo1s in ;h"t follo;s'

Psellus first istinguishes in On Physical Num-er 33684 bet;een ifferent sorts of nu&ber, i e"l or intelligible, &"the&"ti!"l "n physi!"l' <e then rel"tes nu&bers to for&"l 31362:4, &"teri"l 3296324, "n effi!ient !"us"tion 3336:4, to !h"nge 3:96 9-4, to the finite "n infinite 39.6804, to pl"!e 381694, "n to the voi 390634' %ne ;ill re!ogni?e here roughly the "gen " of topi!s of *ristotle/s Physics I6I(, "s liste for e8"&ple by the l"ter ,ree1 Neopl"tonists Pro!lus 3 In !im' I :, 2-6:4 "n @ohn Philoponus 3In Phys' 2, 1361:4' %ne &"Gor topi! is &issing in Psellus, ti&eF no oubt it !oul be foun in the I"&bli!he"n origin"l' #h"t the topi!s of Physics I6I( only "re represente !"n h"r ly be "!!i ent"l' For Porphyry h" "rgue for, "n i&pose on *ristotle/s tre"tise, " ivision into t;o p"rts, I6I( !on!erning physi!s, (6(III !on!erning !h"nge' %%
%%

Si&pli!ius, In phys' 802, 9613F !f' 5or"u8 3198.4, 229'

It see&s then th"t in On Pythagoreanism ( I"&bli!hus follo;e in gener"l the "gen " of *ristotle/s Physics 3I6I(4 in e"ling ;ith the i&pli!"tions of nu&ber in physi!s' %ne &ight ;on er, ho;ever, if Psellus/ e8!erpts in On Physical Num-er &ight h"ve been t"1en fro& so&e intro u!tory p"ges of On Pythagoreanism (, "n thus th"t the seBuen!e of subGe!ts is!usse &ight not "fter "ll refle!t the over"ll pl"n of the ;or1, ;hi!h &"y, for e8"&ple, h"ve " opte the tr" ition"l pl"n of Pyth"gore"n e!" i! liter"tureEth"t "lso of Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumenaE e"ling in su!!ession ;ith e"!h nu&ber of the e!" "n ;ith its v"rious "sso!i"tions' #he evi en!e, ho;ever, su!h "s it is, oes not support this supposition' I"&bli!hus/ referen!e in On Pythagoreanism I( to "n or ering of the i&pli!"tions of nu&ber /"!!or ing to the physi!"l ' ' ' "!!ount/ 3In Nic' 12., 196224 supports, "n is !l"rifie by, " pl"n for On Pythagoreanism ( in ;hi!h nu&ber ;oul h"ve been is!usse "!!or ing to "n or er inspire by *ristotle/s Physics' #he &"nner of Psellus/ e8!erpting points in the s"&e ire!tion2 so&e e8!erpts !onsist &erely of lines !ite out of !onte8t, others "re fuller "n &ore intelligible' %&
%&

)f' the ivision of the te8t propose belo;, *ppen i8 I'

#his suggests uneven ipping in " ;i e sp"n of te8t r"ther th"n e8!erpting fro& " s&"ll nu&ber of p"ges' #his i&pression ;ill be
en p':1

strengthene l"ter ;hen the egree to ;hi!h On Pythagoreanism ( !"&e to ter&s ;ith *ristotle/s Physics be!o&es !le"rer' It ;ill be useful in the &e"nti&e to 1eep *ristotle/s Physics in &in , so th"t tr"!es of the use of *ristotle/s ;or1 &"y be re!ogni?e ;hen they "re en!ountere '

3II4 Physi!"l Nu&ber

#he sorts of nu&ber ;hi!h Psellus presents "t first to his pu??le !o&p"nionE intelligible or i e"l 3 M]PNb R4 nu&ber, &"the&"ti!"l, "n physi!"l nu&ber 3On Phys3 Num-' -684Ere!"ll istin!tions bet;een ifferent sorts of nu&ber "ppe"ring "lre" y in On Pythagoreanism III2 i e"l nu&ber, self6&ove nu&ber, %'
%'

*pp"rently rel"ting to soul, ;hi!h h"s so&e !lose but obs!ure rel"tionship ;ith &"the&"ti!"ls'

"n the prin!iples "n for&s in bo ies 3Comm' :-, 26194' #hese l"st "re es!ribe in Psellus/ e8!erpts "s /physi!"l nu&ber/' #hey !orrespon to 3*ristoteli"n4 i&&"nent for&s "n 3Stoi!4 /see s/ ;hi!h org"ni?e &"tter "n ;hi!h h" been intro u!e into the Pl"toni! universe by Plotinus "n by Pl"tonists before hi&' %(
%(

For these in I"&bli!hus, !f' Comm' .., 2:6.:, 2 3 M] [ONb 4F "e myst' 1:9, 9 ff'F In !im' frs' -968F In Parm' fr' 2, 1361-' )f' Pro!lus, In !im' II 2., 163'

#o !"ll the& /physi!"l nu&bers/, ho;ever, is unusu"l' %)

%)

#he e8pression [ONb R N^T R is foun in Ni!o&"!hus, Intro' .2, 1F 88, 19' )f' Pl"to, 'ep' .2. 968F Plotinus, (I :, 1:, -.6:'

On Pythagoreanism I( points to the re"soning behin this2 the e&iurgi! go org"ni?e the ;orl by &e"ns of nu&eri!"l for&s "n prin!iples, _ M_ON bQ Y \VNR PVN R bQP/ N^T U 3In Nic' 99, .684' #he nu&eri!"l org"ni?"tion of the ;orl "llo;s one to es!ribe the i&&"nent, org"ni?ing prin!iples of physi!"l bo ies "s nu&bers, physical nu&bers to istinguish the& fro& &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers, ;hi!h "re the p"r" ig&s of su!h nu&bers' *!!or ing to Psellus/ e8!erpts the philosopher shoul /fit/ these /physi!"l nu&bers/ to the !"uses in n"ture 3 On Phys3 Num-' 116124, ;hi!h is in ee ;h"t is one in the follo;ing e8!erpts'

3III4 For&"l "n 5"teri"l )"us"tion

Psellus/ e8!erpts ne8t spe"1 of t;o sorts of !"use "n "ssign v"rious nu&bers "n groups of nu&bers to e"!h 3On Phys3 Num-' 136324' In p"rti!ul"r, nu&bers rel"te to the &on" 3o nu&bers4 "re s"i to be
en p':2

for&"l !"uses, "n even nu&bers, "sso!i"te ;ith the y" , "re i entifie "s &"teri"l !"uses' #his r"ppro!he&ent bet;een &on" "n for&, y" "n &"tter, h" "lre" y been &" e in On Pythagoreanism I(2 the properties of nu&ber "re s"i there to erive fro& &on" "n y" , Gust "s "ll in the physi!"l universe is b"se on for& "n &"tterF &"tter h"s the in efiniteness "n ineBu"lity of the y" , Gust "s the &on" h"s " for&"l fun!tion in !onstituting nu&bers 3In Nic' 99, 22699, 84' In ee *ristotle hi&self h" suggeste in Physics I 3189 b 861:, 191 b 3.6:4 th"t the Pl"toni! theory of /the one/ "n the y" 3the /gre"t "n s&"ll/4 "nti!ip"te his istin!tion bet;een for&"l "n &"teri"l !"uses' Iet *ristotle "lso felt th"t he h" superse e the Pl"toni! theory, the in" eBu"!y of ;hi!h he see1s to sho; in Physics I 9' #here is no tr"!e in Psellus/ e8!erpts of " response to *ristotle/s !ritiBue of the Pl"toni! theory of !"uses 3presu&"bly "ssu&e by I"&bli!hus to be Pyth"gore"n4' %ne ;on ers !onseBuently, on the supposition th"t I"&bli!hus use *ristotle/s Physics in On Pythagoreanism (, if th"t use &ight h"ve been very superfi!i"l, perh"ps &erely " n"lve " "pt"tion of the *ristoteli"n theory of !"uses to Pyth"gore"n nu&eri!"l lore, involving little effort to &eet *ristotle/s

!riti!is& of Pl"toni!6Pyth"gore"n spe!ul"tions' Iet the l"ter Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"tors on the Physics Si&pli!ius "n Philoponus 3both en of the fifth`e"rly si8th !entury4 sho; th"t *ristotle/s !ritiBue in Physics I 9 ;"s not thought by Neopl"tonists to be Gustifie ' *ristotle/s &"in point ;"s th"t the Pl"tonists f"ile to istinguish bet;een &"tter "n priv"tionF their theory postul"te only t;o of the three !"uses 3for&, &"tter, priv"tion4 reBuire if iffi!ulties in "!!ounting for physi!"l !h"nges ;ere to be "voi e 3!f' 192 " 36 124' Si&pli!ius "rgues, ho;ever, th"t Pl"to i 1no; of /priv"tion/, efine "s /"bsen!e 3 ZVUO Q4 of the for&s to be pro u!e in &"tter/F it is foun n"&ely in his !on!ept of "n "ll6re!eptive &"tri8' Su!h " !"use, ho;ever, is only logi!"lly istinguish"ble fro& &"tter' Being " !"use only "s "bsen!e, it is not "n ele&ent !onstitutive per se of physi!"l bo ies "n thus is not in!lu e in the list of su!h ele&ents' %*
%*

In phys' 2-., 19629F 2-:, 261: 3 ZV[O Qp is *ristotle/s o;n ter&, 191 " :694' )f' Philoponus, In phys' 182, 206.F 183, 11618-, 8'

#his nee not h"ve been I"&bli!hus/ "ssess&ent of *ristotle/s !ritiBue in Physics I 9, but it sho;s "t le"st th"t the !ritiBue nee not h"ve been felt to support *ristotle/s !l"i& to h"ve gone beyon the Pl"toni!6Pyth"gore"n "!!ount of !"us"tion in the physi!"l ;orl '
en p':3

3I(4 7ffi!ient )"us"tion

Psellus/ e8!erpts ne8t !on!ern effi!ient !"us"tion 3 On Phys3 Num-' 336:-4' It is "rgue , for e8"&ple, th"t the nu&eri!"lly efine rhyth&s of the he"vens, of he"lth, ise"se, birth, "n e"th, sho; nu&bers to "!t "s effi!ient !"uses' #he inst"n!es of nu&bere rhyth&s given "re b"n"l enough in the Pyth"gore"n tr" itionF %.
%.

)f' the referen!es given in *ppen i8 I, " lo!'

not so is the i entifi!"tion of nu&bers "s effi!ient !"uses' )ert"in nu&bers, the /gener"tive nu&bers/ 33-4 see& to o ouble6 uty, sin!e they h"ve "lre" y been put in the !l"ss of for&"l !"uses 321624' Psellus/ e8!erpts suggest here too "t &ost " superfi!i"l &"t!h bet;een Pyth"gore"n "rith&eti! "n *ristotle/s Physics' *g"in, ho;ever, the l"ter Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"tors on the Physics sho; th"t this nee not be the !"se' <"ving e"lt ;ith for&"l "n &"teri"l !"us"tion in Physics I, *ristotle " s in Physics II t;o further !"uses2 effi!ient "n fin"l !"uses' *lre" y in I : he h" inti&"te th"t the Pl"tonists i entifie for&"l ;ith effi!ient !"us"tion 3189 b 1-61:4, "s ;e h"ve seen "bove in the !"se of /gener"tive nu&bers/' In ee in Physics II 9 *ristotle hi&self fin s th"t for&"l, effi!ient, "n fin"l !"uses in n"ture "re often i enti!"l, in for& "t le"st, if not in nu&ber' #he l"ter Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"tors ;ent even further in i entifying for&"l ;ith effi!ient !"uses in n"ture' For the& *ristotle/s es!ription of the effi!ient !"use "s /the first !"use of !h"nge/ 3 Phys' 19- b 296304 i&plie th"t only

the first sour!e of "ll !h"nge in the universe is properly spe"1ing "n effi!ient !"useF "ll other i&&"nent !"uses, or /n"tures/, "re for&"l !"uses' %/
%/

Si&pli!ius, In phys' 31., 1061. 3Buoting *le8"n er of *phro isi"s4' )f' Syri"nus, In met' 82, -6

.'

#hus I"&bli!hus/ use of the s"&e nu&bers for ifferent !"us"l fun!tions nee not i&ply " superfi!i"l tre"t&ent of *ristotle/s Physics, if in ee he is using the Physics in On Pythagoreanism ('

3(4 )h"nge
#he first clear evi en!e th"t I"&bli!hus "tte&pte in On Pythagoreanism ( " !riti!"l, /Pyth"gore"n/, re" ing of *ristotle/s Physics is foun in Psellus/ e8!erpts on the subGe!t of !h"nge 3:969-4' In the !orrespon ing se!tion of the Physics 3III 1624 *ristotle for&ul"tes " efinition of !h"nge presente "s superior to those of his pre e!essors, in p"rti!ul"r the Pl"toni!6Pyth"gore"n i entifi!"tion of !h"nge ;ith
en p':-

ifferen!e, ineBu"lity, non6being, i'e' the y" ' Su!h "n i entifi!"tion, he "llo;s, is pl"usible in vie; of the rel"tion !h"nge see&s to h"ve ;ith the in efinite' Iet he reGe!ts it2 +ifferen!e, ineBu"lity, non6being "re not ne!ess"rily !h"nge , ;hether they "re ifferent, uneBu"l, or non6e8istent' &0
&0

Phys' 201 b 1:6292 ' ' ' P

P]PQ bQ UNO P]PQ bQ P T

ObVUP R _ UQN P U b U]ONU

UV M

U UQ\bQN VU bNU_N O^QN, V P U P Q

V Pa U UNOQ V Pa U V b UPQ'

Not only o Psellus/ e8tr"!ts ret"in, ho;ever, the "sso!i"tion of !h"nge ;ith the y" Ereferring in ee to the rel"tion note by *ristotle bet;een !h"nge "n the in efinite 390614Ebut they " " Bu"lifi!"tion2 #he !"uses of !h"nge ' ' ' ifferen!e "n ineBu"lity 3one is li1e " rel"tion "n property, ;hi!h is rest 3 T Q4, the other " / ifferenti"ting/ 3 P V cONR4 "n /uneBu"li?ing/ 3 U OcONR4, su!h th"t it is not the different and une8ual that are in change+ -ut those made different and une8ual 4' 3:969-4 #he relev"n!e of this Bu"lifi!"tion ;oul not be !le"r if one i not h"ve in &in the *ristoteli"n p"ss"ge Buote Gust before' By !o&p"ring the t;o te8ts ;e !"n see th"t I"&bli!hus is efen ing the Pyth"gore"n "sso!i"tion of !h"nge ;ith the y" by &"1ing " istin!tion bet;een ifferen!e "s " rel"tion "n "s " / ifferenti"ting/ inten e to respon to *ristotle/s !riti!is&' 0e h"ve thus is!overe evi en!e in Psellus/ e8!erpts sho;ing th"t I"&bli!hus, in On Pythagoreanism (, "tte&pte to !o&e to ter&s ;ith *ristotle/s !riti!is&s of Pl"tonis&6Pyth"gore"nis& in the Physics'

But ;h"t e8"!tly ;"s I"&bli!hus/ response to *ristotle> It is h"r to re!onstru!t " !o&plete "ns;er fro& the &e"gre fr"g&ents in Psellus' #he istin!tions &" e "n the l"ngu"ge use "re foun "g"in, ho;ever, in Si&pli!ius/ !o&&ent"ry on the p"ss"ge of the Physics, "n this suggests th"t Si&pli!ius &ight give so&e i e" of ;h"t &ight h"ve been I"&bli!hus/ position' Si&pli!ius istinguishes bet;een 3a4 ifferen!e "s " For&F 3-4 ;h"t is ifferent by sh"ring in the For&F "n 3c4 / ifferenti"ting/ 3 P V cONR4' Pl"to "n the Pyth"gore"ns i entifie !h"nge ;ith 3c4, ;here"s *ristotle too1 the&, so Si&pli!ius !l"i&s, to be referring to 3 a4' *ristotle/s !riti!is& is &is ire!te 3In Phys' -32, 3. ff'4' /+ifferenti"ting/ e8presses the f"!t th"t ;hen so&ething !h"nges it be!o&es ifferent fro& ;h"t it ;"s before' &$
&$

Si&pli!ius, In phys' -33, 3.6-3-, 1 3"l&ost i enti!"l to On Phys3 Num-' 926-4'

#hus
en p':.

so&e essenti"l fe"tures of *ristotle/s "!!ount of !h"nge "re silently " opte in Si&pli!ius/ /Pyth"gore"n/ theory of !h"nge2 !h"nge, "s " / ifferenti"ting/, involves " subGe!t "n t;o en 6points, ;h"t the subGe!t ;"s "n the so&ething else it be!o&es' &%
&%

#he ter& P V cONR re!"lls *ristotle/s ter& YYV cONR referre to by Si&pli!ius 3In phys' -32, 3.6-33, 14, "n is foun in *ristotle, Phys' 219 b 2:'

#he ifferen!e or ineBu"lity th"t causes !h"nge is the ifferen!e bet;een !"use "n effe!t, the g"p in perfe!tion th"t &oves ;h"t !h"nges 3the effe!t4 fro& i&perfe!tion to the perfe!tion represente by the !"use 3-33, 2063-4'

3(I4 Pl"!e
*nother, f"inter tr"!e of I"&bli!hus/ "ttitu e to *ristotle/s Physics !"n be ete!te in the e8!erpts of Psellus !on!erning nu&ber "n pl"!e 3 On Phys3 Num-' 81694' #hese e8!erpts follo; so&e senten!es on the finite "n infinite 39.6 804' In his Physics *ristotle h" liste for&, &"tter, e8tension, "n the boun "ry of the !ont"ining bo y "s possible efinitions of pl"!e 3I( -, 211 b 9694' <e prefers the l"st of these 3212 " 26:4' In Psellus/ e8!erpts, ho;ever, pl"!e is es!ribe "s /"!!o&p"nying bo ies/, O[UQbVYV[^V[ UPQ PVN R O TQON 3834' If this &"t!hes neither *ristotle/s position nor the other possibilities he &entions, it is, ;e !"n no; "ssu&e, for " goo re"son' Fortun"tely this is !onfir&e "n the fe; ;or s in Psellus !l"rifie by Si&pli!ius ;ho Buotes e8tensively fro& I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the !imaeus o propos the s"&e subGe!t2 I"&bli!hus ;rites2 7very bo y in"s&u!h "s it is bo y subsists in pl"!e' Pl"!e therefore !o&es into being !onn"tur"lly ;ith bo ies 3O[T [ R Q PVN R O TQONU P ZVR O[U[ OP]b 4' &&
&&

I"&bli!hus, In !im' fr' 90, 8610 3+illon/s tr"nsl', &o ifie 4'

In ;h"t follo;s in Si&pli!ius, I"&bli!hus !ontr"sts this vie; of pl"!e ;ith other vie;s, in!lu ing th"t of *ristotle "n "nother &entione by *ristotle 3pl"!e "s e8tension4' &'
&'

#he thir vie; &entione by I"&bli!hus 3In !im' fr' 90, 1361.4, pl"!e "s dc TQPQ MN b UQ, re!"lls the Pyth"gore"n !on!ept of voi is!usse belo;'

I"&bli!hus is !on!erne here ;ith the interpret"tion of Pl"to/s !imaeus, not ;ith *ristotle/s Physics' Iet ;h"t he s"ys i&plies !riti!is& of *ristotle' <e istinguishes " !entr"l fro& " purely e8tr"neous role given to pl"!e' *ristotle/s vie; of pl"!e "ssu&es it is so&ething peripher"l to bo ies' But if pl"!e is "n essenti"l p"rt of
en p'::

;h"t it is to be " bo y, &(

&(

#he ontologi!"l i&port"n!e of pl"!e is "lre" y stresse by PlotinusF !orpore"l e8isten!e 3"s oppose to in!orpore"l being4 epen s on pl"!e 3!f' e'g' ( 9, ., --694'

then it &ust be inti&"tely involve in the e8isten!e of bo ies' It is not " &ere boun "ry, but r"ther " bon of bo ies' If it en!loses the&, it oes so, not "s " !ir!u&"&bient li&it, but "s " po;er supporting, g"thering, eli&iting bo ies' &)
&)

)f' "lso I"&bli!hus, In !im' fr' 20'

Si&pli!ius oes not infor& us &u!h &ore "bout I"&bli!hus/ vie;s on pl"!e' <e oes, ho;ever, !onsi er the& to be rel"te to those of *ristotle/s pupil #heophr"stus "n of Si&pli!ius/ o;n &"ster +"&"s!ius' #heophr"stus, "s Buote by Si&pli!ius 3In Phys' :39, 1.6224, s"; pl"!e "s the rel"tive position of p"rts in " ;hole, position being !losely tie to the n"ture of the ;hole' +"&"s!ius/ theory of pl"!e is e8tre&ely !o&pli!"te , &*
&*

)f' <off&"nn 319994 "n 319804'

"n I !"n only note so&e "spe!ts of it here' <e istinguishe bet;een " /proper or ering/ 3 ^ PNOT R4 of p"rts, ;hi!h is !onn"tur"l 3O T [PVR4, "n "n e8tr"neous 3 Z OQbPVR4 lo!"l situ"tion' &.
&.

Si&pli!ius, In phys' :2., 1. ff'F :2:, 3 ff'

#he !onn"tur"l /proper or ering/ h"s "n org"ni?ing, preserving fun!tion re!"lling th"t given to pl"!e by I"&bli!hus "s reporte by Si&pli!ius' &/
&/

Si&pli!ius, In phys' :39, 2- ff'

In Psellus/ e8!erpts nu&bers "re s"i to h"ve pl"!e "s /!ont"ining/ bo ies in their po;er, " !"us"l r"ther th"n " lo!"l /en!losing/' If nu&bers /!ont"in/ bo ies in this sense, then they "lso /!ont"in/ " !onn"tur"l p"rt of bo ies, n"&ely pl"!e 3816-4' #he e8!erpts "lso "s!ribe to nu&bers pl"!e in " ifferent sense, th"t r"ther of #heophr"stus2 nu&bers, "s !onstituting "n or ere series, h"ve /pl"!es/ in the or er of su!!ession of the series 38-694' #his l"tter sense of pl"!e is "pplie

else;here by I"&bli!hus, not only to nu&bers, but "lso to other i&&"teri"l re"lities' '0
'0

I"&bli!hus, In Parm' fr' 313 3="rsen4F !f' ,"lperine 319804, 33-6.F Si&pli!ius, In phys' :-1, 106 1.F :-2, 16- "n 2.69F :--, 1.619'

3(II4 #he (oi

#he e8!erpts in On Physical Num-er e"l fin"lly ;ith " rel"te topi!, the voi 390634' <ere I"&bli!hus see&s "s fir& "s *ristotle 3Phys' I( :694 in enying the e8isten!e of " voi ' #his is surprising, sin!e *ristotle in!lu es the voi in Pyth"gore"n o!trine, '$
'$

Phys' 213 b 2269F !f' +D I -20, 8 37urytus4'

"n I"&bli!hus
en p':9

!oul h"r ly h"ve ignore the ivergen!e bet;een *ristotle "n Pyth"gore"nis& on this point' In f"!t " Bu"lifi!"tion preserve in the e8!erpts 392634 turns out to be "n ele&ent of " resolution ;hi!h !"n be foun , "g"in fully e8pl"ine , in the l"ter Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"ries on the Physics' Psellus/ e8!erpts !on!e e the e8isten!e of " voi , /if one ;ishes to spe"1 of even nu&ber "s " is!ontinuous g"p 3MN_d] ' ' ' MN b UVU4/ 392634' #he &e"ning of this phr"se e&erges if it is !o&p"re to Si&pli!ius/ "n Philoponus/ !o&&ents on the !orrespon ing se!tion of *ristotle/s Physics' Both !o&&ent"tors un erst"n the Pyth"gore"n !on!ept of voi reporte by *ristotle "s referring to the ifferen!e bet;een For&s, the sep"r"tion bet;een bo ies' #hus the Pyth"gore"ns, in intro u!ing the voi , ;ere spe"1ing in f"!t of " prin!iple of ifferenti"tion' '%
'%

Si&pli!ius, In phys' :.2, 9619F Philoponus, In phys' :10, 9621F !f' *ristotle, Phys' 213 b 2-6:'

If ;e re!"ll th"t in Pyth"gore"n "rith&eti! the prin!iple of ifferenti"tion is the first e*en nu&ber, the y" , then the sense of Psellus/ e8!erpt "n its fun!tion in " re!on!ili"tion of the *ristoteli"n "n Pyth"gore"n positions e&erges2 I"&bli!hus ;"s prep"re to efen " Pyth"gore"n !on!ept of voi , if by this is &e"nt " prin!iple of ifferenti"tion' #his en"ble hi& to t"1e *ristotle/s si e on the Buestion "n yet to !l"i& to be f"ithful to Pyth"gore"nis&'

3(III4 )on!lusion
Psellus/ e8!erpts in On Physical Num-er reve"l fin"lly " goo e"l "bout I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (' I"&bli!hus evelope here " /Pyth"gore"n/ "rith&eti!"l physi!s follo;ing the pl"n of *ristotle/s Physics I6I(' %ne &"Gor topi! is &issing in Psellus, ti&e' Iet ;e 1no; fro& "nother sour!e so&ething "bout I"&bli!hus/ theory of ti&e, "s it ;"s presente in his Commentary on the Categories in the for& of "n interpret"tion of " te8t suppose ly by the Pyth"gore"n *r!hyt"s' '&

'&

I"&bli!hus, In cat' frs' 2 ff'F !f' Sor"bGi 319834, 39 ff'F S"&burs1y, Pines 319914F <off&"nn 319804' *r!hyt"s is !ite in In Nic' :, 2062, "n else;here in On Pythagoreanism 3!f' "bove, p' -34'

It is " f"ir guess th"t the tre"t&ent of ti&e in On Pythagoreanism ( ;oul not h"ve been very ifferent' In his Physics *ristotle o!!"sion"lly !riti!i?e the Pyth"gore"ns "n Pl"tonists "n reg"r e his o;n physi!"l theory "s superior' Psellus/ e8!erpts !ont"in so&e in i!"tions sho;ing th"t I"&bli!hus, f"r fro& ignoring *ristotle/s !riti!is&s, "tte&pte to
en p':8

!o&e to ter&s ;ith the&' #his involve , in so&e !"ses "t le"st, interpret"tion of Pyth"gore"n o!trine so "s to ren er it efensible' #his &"y h"ve le to so&e proGe!tion of *ristoteli"n physi!s b"!1;"r s on to Pyth"gore"nis&' *t the s"&e ti&e, ho;ever, I"&bli!hus i not hesit"te to go beyon *ristotle, in p"rti!ul"r on the subGe!t of pl"!e' #his he i else;here, in the !"se of ti&e, by "ppe"ling to " suppose ly e"rlier, Pyth"gore"n sour!e, *r!hyt"s' Su!h " v"n!es ;ere " sour!e of inspir"tion for the sophisti!"te theories of pl"!e "n ti&e to be foun in l"ter Neopl"tonists, Syri"nus, +"&"s!ius, "n Si&pli!ius' 5ore gener"lly, the inst"n!es in ;hi!h Psellus/ e8!erpts h"ve been foun to "nti!ip"te spe!ifi! "rgu&ents in Si&pli!ius/ "n Philoponus/ !o&&ent"ries on the Physics suggest th"t I"&bli!hus/ stu y of the Physics ;"s of so&e i&port"n!e for the evelop&ent of these !o&&ent"ries' ''
''

Si&pli!ius "n Philoponus "re prob"bly not spe!ifi!"lly epen ent on the re" ing of *ristotle/s Physics given in On Pythagoreanism (' #hey ;oul h"ve h" other sour!es, in p"rti!ul"r I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the !imaeus' 30e 1no; of no !o&&ent"ry, properly spe"1ing, on the Physics by I"&bli!hus'4 Si&pli!ius, ho;ever, ;oul h"ve 1no;n I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ;ell, if ;e !"n trust $en"iss"n!e reports of " &"nus!ript 3no longer to be foun 4 !ont"ining " !o&&ent"ry by hi& on I"&bli!hus/ boo1F !f' I' <" ot 31989-4, 2869' )f' "bove, n' 31, belo;, n' .0, for !lose verb"l p"r"llels bet;een Si&pli!ius "n I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism "s e8!erpte by Psellus'

But ;h"t "rith&eti!"l physi!s e&erges fro& the e8!erpts> In gener"l it "ppe"rs th"t the physi!"l universe is stru!ture by i&&"nent for&s, !"lle /physi!"l nu&bers/, ;hi!h erive their !h"r"!ter "n beh"viour fro& the properties of &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers' 5"the&"ti!"l nu&bers in f"!t e8e&plify, in p"r" ig&"ti! f"shion, the org"ni?"tion of the universe' #his &e"ns th"t physi!"l theory !"n be foun pre6!ont"ine in &"the&"ti!s "n th"t the ele&ents of su!h " theory "re inst"nti"te in the v"rious physi!"l e8pressions of ifferent &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers' It is this l"st i e" th"t is pre o&in"nt in Psellus/ e8!erpts2 the !o&ponents of "n 3*ristoteli"n4 "!!ount of physi!"l !"us"lity "re sho;n to be e&bo ie in ifferent 3physi!"l4 nu&bers or groups of nu&bers' #he e8!erpts give the i&pression of " &ultipli!ity "n v"riety of i&&"nent for&s e8pressing the rel"tive si&pli!ity of physi!"l theory' *lthough the l"tter "ppe"rs in gener"l to be *ristoteli"n, there "re ifferen!es, "t the very le"st in the !"se of pl"!e2 pl"!e is "n inti&"te p"rt of the being of bo ies "n is pro u!e by nu&bers 3&"the&"ti!"l here, it see&s, r"ther th"n physi!"l4, ;hi!h possess their o;n i&&"teri"l /pl"!es/ in " seri"l org"ni?"tion'

en p':9

#hese results "re no oubt in!o&plete' But to go &u!h further in the "tte&pt to re!onstru!t I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism Boo1 ( on the b"sis of Psellus/ e8!erpts ;oul , I believe, involve spe!ul"tions ;hose egree of reli"bility ;oul be h"r to &e"sure'

-' %n Pyth"gore"nis& (I
3I4 ,ener"l Pl"n
Psellus/ e8!erpts in On thical and !heological Arithmetic f"ll into t;o se!tions, the first h"ving to o ;ith /ethi!"l "rith&eti!/ 326.24, !orrespon ing thus to On Pythagoreanism (I, the se!on !ont"ining /theologi!"l "rith&eti!/ 3.36904, i'e' the subGe!t6&"tter of On Pythagoreanism (II' I sh"ll be !on!erne here ;ith the first se!tion "n ;ith the e8tent to ;hi!h it reve"ls so&ething of the !ontent of On Pythagoreanism (I' #he t"s1 of re!onstru!tion is yet &ore iffi!ult here th"n in the !"se of On Pythagoreanism (2 there is only h"lf "s &u!h "v"il"ble in ter&s of Bu"ntity of e8!erpts, "n no rel"te , i'e' ethi!"l, Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"ries survive ;hi!h !oul help in elu!i "ting obs!ure p"ss"ges' Sin!e it turns out th"t I"&bli!hus/ or ering of the i&pli!"tions of nu&ber /"!!or ing to the physi!"l ' ' ' "!!ount/ &e"ns in f"!t th"t the pl"n of On Pythagoreanism ( follo;s th"t of *ristotle/s Physics I6I(, one ;on ers if the s"&e sort of situ"tion &ight obt"in ;ith respe!t to the or ering /"!!or ing to the ethi!"l ' ' ' "!!ount/ 3"bove, p' :04 in On Pythagoreanism (I' *n in ee it oes' #he seBuen!e of topi!s in the first p"rt of Psellus/ On thical and !heological Arithmetic 326.24 !orrespon s roughlyE;ith l"rger o&issions, "s one ;oul e8pe!t ;ith fe;er e8!erptsEto th"t of *ristotle/s ethi!"l tre"tises2 the first prin!iples of ethi!s 3261.4F the p"rts or po;ers of the soul 31:6234F virtue efine 32-6304F virtues intelle!tu"l "n &or"l is!usse in ivi u"lly 3316.24' '(
'(

*t le"st one o&ission in the e8!erpts is " tre"t&ent of frien ship pro&ise in In Nic3 3., .610'

For the s"&e re"sons "s those given "bove " propos the pl"n of On Pythagoreanism (, Psellus/ e8!erpts "ppe"r to be t"1en, not fro& " li&ite se!tion, but fro& " r"nge of !h"pters in On Pythagoreanism (I' #hey thus give so&e i e", ho;ever fr"g&ent"ry, of the stru!ture of the ;or1' It is not !le"r, on the other h"n , if I"&bli!hus follo;s one p"rti!ul"r ethi!"l tre"tise of *ristotle' <e is f"&ili"r, "s ;ill be seen l"ter, ;ith both the Nicomachean "n the udemian thics' <is "ttitu e
en p'90

to both &"y h"ve been su!h th"t he i not feel boun to follo; !losely the one r"ther th"n the other' ')

')

)f' Denny 319984, 3869 3si&il"r situ"tion in Si&pli!ius "n Philoponus4' I sh"ll refer to the udemian thics only ;hen it is !le"r th"t it, "n not the Nicomachean thics, is being use by I"&bli!hus'

*t "ny r"te it ;ill be useful to 1eep *ristotle/s ethi!s in &in "s Psellus/ e8!erpts "re !onsi ere in &ore et"il'

3II4 #he First Prin!iples of 7thi!s

*ristotle begins his ethi!s st"rting fro& prin!iples, dQ ' #hese prin!iples "re not /"bsolute/, i'e' those st"n ing "t the he" of " s!ien!e of ethi!s th"t is !o&plete, but /rel"tive/2 they "re ;h"t is "t first best 1no;n to us, those f"!ts th"t e8perien!e te"!hes "n ;hi!h only " &"ture stu ent of ethi!s ;ill possess' '*
'*

th3 Nic3 I -, 109. " 316b 8F I 9, 1098 b 1 ff'

Psellus/ e8!erpts begin, ho;ever, ;ith " list of first prin!iples ;hi!h "re /"bsolute/ "n on ;hi!h ethi!s is groun e 2 &e"sure, li&it, perfe!tion, or er, unity' #hey "re "lso &"the&"ti!"l' <o; they groun ethi!s !"n be illustr"te fro& *ristotle/s !h"r"!teri?"tion of h"ppiness "s so&ething perfe!t 3P Ma NOPVU P Y N U PN Q U PQN4, "s "n "!tivity of the soul "!!or ing to the highest "n &ost perfe!t virtue, in " perfe!t or !o&plete life' '.
'.

th3 Nic3 I 9, 1099 " 28, 1098 " 1.618'

I"&bli!hus see&s to be thin1ing of this es!ription of h"ppiness ;hen, on the subGe!t of the perfe!t "s first prin!iple, he s"ys2 /for perfe!tion 3P Y N P]R4 unit"rily !o&pletes the best 3 NOPVU4 &e"sure of life/ 3Psellus/ e8!erpts, 84' It is not, ho;ever, the perfe!t, but &e"sure, or r"ther /&e"sure itself/ "n ;h"t is &e"sure th"t "re &ost i&port"nt "&ong the &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples of ethi!s "!!or ing to Psellus/ e8!erpts 326:4' 5e"sure "n ;h"t is &e"sure "re in f"!t ;h"t !o&e first in the list of /possessions/ ;hereby the hu&"n goo , i'e' h"ppiness, is !onstitute "!!or ing to Pl"to/s Phile-us 3:: " :694' %n the "ssu&ption then th"t the Pl"toni! i"logues "re Pyth"gore"n in inspir"tion, "n "ssu&ption !le"rly &" e in On Pythagoreanism, the first ele&ents of the hu&"n goo in Pl"to/s Phile-us !"n be !onsi ere by I"&bli!hus "s the "bsolute first prin!iples of " Pyth"gore"n /"rith&eti!"l ethi!s/' In the pre!e ing !h"pter it ;"s seen th"t &"the&"ti!s not only furnishes ethi!s ;ith its first prin!iples' It "lso h"s " p"r" ig&"ti! role in ethi!s' *n e8"&ple of this "ppe"rs in Psellus/ ne8t lines2 the /&e"n/
en p'91

in nu&bers is li1e " &o el of the ethi!"lly goo !h"r"!ter ;hi!h involves goo h"r&oni?"tion of the soul 31261.4, i'e' the virtue of te&per"n!e'

3III4 #he Po;ers of the Soul

<"ving efine h"ppiness in outline, *ristotle evelops his "!!ount by &e"ns of " brief is!ussion of the soul ;hi!h yiel s " istin!tion bet;een r"tion"l "n non6 r"tion"l psy!hi! p"rts or po;ers' #his pro u!es in turn " ifferenti"tion bet;een intelle!tu"l "n &or"l virtue 3 th3 Nic3 I 134' Psellus/ e8tr"!ts !ont"in " !orrespon ing se!tion 31:6234, in ;hi!h psy!hi! po;ers "re "ssi&il"te to nu&bers' For this purpose I"&bli!hus uses " te8t to be foun in *ristotle/s On the Soul 3-0- b 226-4, ;hi!h he t"1es else;here to refer to Pl"to, '/
'/

I"&bli!hus, "e an3, in Stob"eus, Anth3 I 3:-, 1.618'

"n here, presu&"bly, to refer to the Pyth"gore"ns' #his te8t i entifies intelle!t ;ith the nu&ber one, s!ien!e ;ith t;o, opinion ;ith three, "n sense6per!eption ;ith four' I"&bli!hus e8pl"ins e"!h i entifi!"tion "n his e8pl"n"tions !orrespon e8"!tly to those, given "t slightly gre"ter length, of Si&pli!ius !o&&enting on the s"&e te8t of *ristotle' (0
(0

Si&pli!ius, In de an3 29, 269 3Si&pli!ius refers in the plur"l to UM R, ;hi!h &ust &e"n the Pyth"gore"nsF !f' 28, 19 ff'4' Su!h is the !loseness of Si&pli!ius to Psellus/ e8!erpts 3lines 196194 th"t he !"n help !l"rify the !on ense phr"ses of the e8!erpts'

#he psy!hi! po;ers &entione in the e8!erpts rel"te only to the !ognitive fun!tions of the soul, "n one &ust suppose th"t I"&bli!hus "lso tre"te of other psy!hi! po;ers relev"nt to " /Pyth"gore"n/ ethi!s, su!h "s those he lists in his ;or1 On the Soul2 #he Pl"tonists, *r!hyt"s, "n the other Pyth"gore"ns e!l"re the soul to be trip"rtite, ivi ing it into re"son, spirit, "n esire' For these "re useful for the !onstitution of the virtues' But they re!1one the po;ers of the soul to in!lu e n"ture, i&"gin"tion, sense6per!eption, opinion, the thought th"t &oves bo ies, the esire of the f"ir "n goo , "n intelle!tions' ($
($

I"&bli!hus, "e an3, in Stob"eus, Anth3 I 3:9, 961.F !f' Festugigre 319.06-4, III 19-'

#his l"st list !ont"ins three of the !ognitive po;ers &entione in Psellus/ e8!erpts, "n the p"ss"ge illustr"tes ho; these po;ers &ight h"ve been brought into " is!ussion of psy!hology ;ith referen!e to ethi!s in On Pythagoreanism (I' It is "t "ny r"te !le"r th"t I"&bli!hus substitute for *ristotle/s "!!ount of the soul " /Pyth"gore"n/ psy!hology b"se , in p"rt "t le"st, on reports foun in *ristotle hi&self'
en p'92

3I(4 (irtue
*ristotle/s ethi!s ne8t le" to " efinition of &or"l virtue "s the e8!ellen!e of th"t r"tion"l "spe!t of soul ;hi!h obeys re"son' %n the "n"logy of n"tur"l e8!ellen!e or virtue (%
(%

)f' th3 Nic3 110: " 1: ff'F 11-- b 1 ff', ;ith 110: b 1:'

"n ;ith &u!h re!ourse to &"the&"ti!s, *ristotle efines &or"l virtue "s " /&e"n/ bet;een t;o e8tre&es, e8!ess "n efi!ien!y 3 th3 Nic3 II :4' Psellus/ e8!erpts re!"ll this efinition, (&
(&

=ines 2-69F "lso I"&bli!hus, p3 ad Sop3, in Stob"eus, Anth3 III 9, .610'

!o&p"ring virtue to /&e"n/ "n /perfe!t/ nu&bers, "n vi!es to /super"bun "nt/ "n / efi!ient/ nu&bers' Su!h " !o&p"rison h" "lre" y been &" e by Ni!o&"!hus' Psellus/ e8!erpts, ho;ever, !on!ern n"tur"l, r"ther th"n &or"l virtue 32:4' #hey "ppe"r to erive fro& " se!tion on n"tur"l fun!tioning "n e8!ellen!e ;hi!h &"y h"ve intro u!e , "s it oes in *ristotle, "n "!!ount of ethi!"l fun!tioning "n virtue' ('
('

For the theory of n"tur"l virtue in post6I"&bli!he"n Neopl"tonis& !f' Blu&enth"l 3198-4, -80, -82'

Psellus/ e8!erpts !ontinue ;ith " p"ss"ge 3296304 putting the un&e"sure , the unli&ite , et!', in /the !olu&n/ of vi!e' * pre!e ing p"ss"ge &ight be &issing, in ;hi!h &e"sure, li&it, et!', &"y h"ve been put in " /!olu&n/ of virtue su!h "s th"t "llu e to in *ristotle' ((
((

)f' th3 Nic3 109: b .69, 110: b 29630F !f' Psellus, On Phys3 Num-3 9:69, 28631'

<"ving efine &or"l virtue, *ristotle ne8t gives e8"&ples of virtues "s &e"ns "n vi!es "s e8tre&es 3 th3 Nic3 II 9684' *lthough there is nothing !orrespon ing to this in Psellus/ e8!erpts, there is "n interesting rel"te p"ss"ge to be foun "lre" y in On Pythagoreanism I(2 #his "grees ' ' ' ;ith thin1ing !orre!tly th"t the virtues "re &e"sure st"tes "n &e"ns bet;een e8!ess "n efi!ien!y, "n "re not e8tre&es ' ' ' , evil opposing evil, "n both opposing one goo , yet goo not "t "ll opposing goo , but opposite "t the s"&e ti&e to t;o evils, "s !o;"r i!e is oppose to "u "!ity ' ' ' "n both "re oppose to !our"ge' ' ' ' 3In Nic3 32, 2.633, 94 78"&ples follo;, t"1en both fro& th3 Nic3 II 9 "n th3 ud3 II 3, illustr"ting *ristotle/s point "bout the oppositions bet;een vi!es "n bet;een the& "n virtues 3 th3 Nic3 II 8, 1108 b 1161.4 "s ;ell "s his re&"r1 in th3 Nic3 II :, 110: b 28 ff' on the unity of virtue "n the iversity of vi!e, or, "s I"&bli!hus phr"ses it, /the r"rity of the perfe!t, "s belonging to so&ething goo "n not to so&e &"nifol evil/ 3In Nic3 33, 1.6194'
en p'93

3(4 P"rti!ul"r (irtues

Psellus/ e8!erpts ne8t !on!ern "n"logies bet;een !ert"in nu&bers "n spe!ifi! virtues, n"&ely pr"!ti!"l eliber"tion or ;is o&, theoreti!"l ;is o&, !our"ge, te&per"n!e, "n Gusti!e 3316.24' It is not !le"r fro& Psellus/ e8!erpts here ;hether they erive fro& " v"riety of !h"pters 3e"!h evote perh"ps to " p"rti!ul"r virtue4 or represent " f"irly !ontinuous e8tr"!t fro& one !h"pter' It is,

ho;ever, li1ely th"t I"&bli!hus is!usse other virtues besi es those ret"ine by Psellus 3"bove, n' -.4' #he group of virtues &entione in Psellus is sy&pto&"ti! of the !urious &i8 of Pl"toni! "n *ristoteli"n ethi!s th"t ;ill re"ppe"r l"ter' #he or er in ;hi!h the virtues "re tre"te !orrespon s roughly to th"t use in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic 3-28 " ff'4, not th"t in *ristotle, ;ho e"ls first ;ith &or"l, "n then ;ith intelle!tu"l virtues' <o;ever, the istin!tion bet;een pr"!ti!"l "n theoreti!"l ;is o& is *ristoteli"n, "s "re the es!riptions of pr"!ti!"l ;is o& "s !on!erne ;ith /v"ri"ble &"tters/ 3Psellus, 324 "n of theoreti!"l ;is o& "s !on!erne ;ith /beings/' ()
()

UPQ 33-4F !o&p"re *ristotle/s PNTN PQPQ 3 th3 Nic3 1139 " .611, 11-1 " 20, 11-1 b 34'

#he l"tter is rel"te to the &on" "n the for&er to the tri" on groun s si&il"r to those given e"rlier 3196184 for the "ssi&il"tion of intelle!t to one "n opinion to the tri" ' #;o for&s of !our"ge "re istinguishe in Psellus/ e8!erpts, /&"nly/ !our"ge "n !onst"n!y 339684' #he for&er !o&es fro& Pl"to 3La)s 802 e 9, Symp3 192 " -6 .4' So oes the l"tter, "s !"n be seen fro& I"&bli!hus/ Letter to Olympius, ;here it is rel"te to !our"ge "s efine in the 'epu-lic3 (*
(*

I"&bli!hus in Stob"eus, Anth3 III 319, 21 ff'F !f' Pl"to, 'ep3 --2 ! 163'

In this Letter, ho;ever, *ristoteli"n !our"ge is "lso present2 "s *ristotle/s !our"geous &"n en ures p"in "n "nger /for the s"1e of the f"ir/, so oes I"&bli!hus/ p"r"gon support su!h things /for the s"1e of the goo /' (.
(.

*ristotle, th3 Nic3 1119 " 19 ff', 33 ff', b 1261.F !f' I"&bli!hus in Stob"eus, Anth3 III 320, 1:621'

#he slight ifferen!e in for&ul"tion points to ;h"t one feels &ust sep"r"te the t;o &o els of !our"ge2 I"&bli!hus/ &"n "ppe"rs &ore in ifferent to "n unperturbe by the tri"ls of this ;orl th"n *ristotle/s, b"se "s his !our"ge is on un!h"nging thought fi8e on "n other;orl ly go"l' For the t;o for&s of !our"ge, &"nliness "n !onst"n!y, Psellus/ e8!erpts give nu&eri!"l "n"logues 339684, the o 3"l;"ys &"le in Pyth"gore"nis&, "s the even ;"s fe&"le4 "n the foursBu"reEthe l"tter is *ristotle/s !o&p"rison 3 th3 Nic3 1100 b 116224'
en p'9-

#he rel"tion bet;een te&per"n!e tre"te "s the !"use of /sy&&etry/ in Psellus/ e8!erpts 3-04 "n te&per"n!e "s es!ribe in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic !"n "g"in be illustr"te fro& I"&bli!hus/ Letters, in ;hi!h /sy&&etry/ is reg"r e "s the /sy&phony/ bet;een the p"rts of the soul in Pl"to/s efinition of te&per"n!e' (/
(/

)f' I"&bli!hus in Stob"eus, Anth' III 2.9, 1162.8, -F Pl"to, 'ep' -31 e 8, --2 ! 106 1, but "lso *ristotle, th3 Nic' 1119 b 1.61:'

%n!e te&per"n!e is rel"te to sy&&etry, I"&bli!hus !"n fin the !orrespon ing nu&ber, !hoosing n"&ely nine, r"ther th"n the nu&ber three tr" ition"l in Pyth"gore"n "ssi&il"tions, on the &"the&"ti!"l groun s th"t nine is espe!i"lly /gener"tive/ of eBu"lity' )0

)0

)f' the referen!es given belo;, *ppen i8 I, " lo!'

Psellus/ e8!erpts fin"lly e"l ;ith Gusti!e' ,iven the strongly &"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!ter of *ristotle/s tre"t&ent of this virtue, it is h"r ly surprising to fin I"&bli!hus follo;ing hi& &ore !losely here' *ristotle first es!ribes istributive "n re!tifi!"tory Gusti!e "n then intro u!es 3 th3 Nic' ( .4 Pyth"gore"n /re!ipro!"l/ Gusti!e' In his Letter to Anatolius I"&bli!hus presents "n *ristoteli"n theory of istributive Gusti!e' )$
)$

In Stob"eus, Anth' III 3.8, .619 3!f' th3 Nic' 1129 b 29630, 1130 b 3062, 1131 " 2.694' )f' I"&bli!hus, "e myst' 189, 13619'

%nly re!ipro!"l Gusti!e is represente ho;ever in Psellus/ e8!erpts 3-: ff'4' I"&bli!hus repl"!es *ristotle/s brief referen!e to this "s " Pyth"gore"n !on!ept ;ith " Pyth"gore"n efinition of re!ipro!"l Gusti!e !ite by Ni!o&"!hus' )%
)%

)f' the referen!es given belo;, *ppen i8 I, " lo!'

But Ni!o&"!hus/ efinition is slightly "ltere 2 the ter& Z MVONb "t the beginning of the efinition be!o&es UPQZ MVONR in Psellus/ e8!erpts 3-:4, un er the influen!e perh"ps of *ristotle/s referen!es to P UPNZ ZVU^ R or UPQZ MVONR in Pyth"gore"nis& 3 th3 Nic' 1133 " 3, 1132 b 214' In rel"ting Gusti!e to the nu&ber four 3or five4, ho;ever, 3-84 I"&bli!hus oes little &ore th"n follo; " ;ell6 est"blishe Pyth"gore"n tr" ition' )&
)&

Psellus/ te8t is !orrupt hereF shoul - "t line -8 be !orre!te to .> %n Gusti!e see "lso I"&bli!hus, "e an', in Stob"eus, Anth' I -.., 1962. 3Festugiere K19.06-L, III 2-1, ;ith notes4 "n the referen!es belo;, " lo!', *ppen i8 I' For l"ter Neopl"toni! tre"t&ents of the virtues in " &ore !o&prehensive !onte8t !f' Blu&enth"l 3198-4 "n the referen!es given there'

3(I4 )on!lusion
#o Gu ge fro& Psellus/ e8!erpts, it see&s th"t I"&bli!hus "g"in follo;e *ristotle/s le" in On Pythagoreanism (I' <ere it is *ristotle/s ethi!s th"t provi es the lines on ;hi!h I"&bli!hus el"bor"te "
en p'9.

/Pyth"gore"n "rith&eti!"l ethi!s/' In vie; of the s&"ll "&ount of &"teri"l e8!erpte by Psellus, it is li1ely th"t &"ny topi!s of *ristoteli"n ethi!s ;ere !overe by I"&bli!hus, of ;hi!h there is no tr"!e in Psellus' *ristotle/s influen!e on the ethi!s of On Pythagoreanism (I h"s been observe not only in the seBuen!e of topi!s h"n le , but "lso in p"rti!ul"r e8pl"n"tions "n even in in ivi u"l e8pressions' <o;ever I"&bli!hus "tte&pte to !h"nge *ristoteli"n ethi!s into " /Pyth"gore"n/ theory' #his !oul be one by e&ph"si?ing the &"the&"ti!"l "spe!ts of *ristotle/s "ppro"!hEin p"rti!ul"r his is!ussions of &or"l virtue in gener"l "n of the virtue of Gusti!eEor by substituting Pyth"gore"n efinitions "n theories ;here "ppropri"teEe'g' on the p"rts or po;ers of the soul' Pl"to/s ethi!s ;"s "lso intro u!e "s ;"s, of !ourse, Pyth"gore"n nu&eri!"l lore' #he theory th"t e&erges is stru!tur"lly si&il"r to the "rith&eti!"l physi!s of On Pythagoreanism (2 the first prin!iples, &o els, "n

!on!epts of ethi!s "re foun "lre" y in the v"rious &"the&"ti!"l properties of nu&bers' Not only "re the b"si! notions of ethi!s &"the&"ti!"l in inspir"tion, but spe!ifi! virtues "re p"r" ig&"ti!"lly !ont"ine in spe!ifi! nu&bers' #o Gu ge !orre!tly the over"ll i&pression given in Psellus/ e8!erpts of " !onfusion bet;een "rith&eti! "n ethi!s, it is ;ell to re!"ll the !"re ;ith ;hi!h I"&bli!hus h" stresse before in On Pythagoreanism 3"bove, p' -84 the istin!tion bet;een the s!ien!es, "s ;ell "s the "ppli!"bility of &"the&"ti!s outsi e its proper o&"in' #he s"&e &etho ologi!"l point ;ill be &" e in Psellus/ e8!erpts fro& the ne8t boo1 of On Pythagoreanism'

.' %n Pyth"gore"nis& (II

3I4 ,ener"l Pl"n
In !o&ing to Psellus/ e8!erpts fro& On Pythagoreanism (II, ;here he fin"lly ivulges his sour!e 3.3 ff'4, ;e re"!h &"tters ;hi!h I"&bli!hus h" presente e"rlier 3"bove, p' -84 "s the subGe!t "i&e "t by, "n tr"ns!en ing &"the&"ti!s, n"&ely pure beings "n the ivine' If this subGe!t is not tre"te in its o;n right in On Pythagoreanism (II, it is "t le"st " u&br"te , to the e8tent th"t "rith&eti! foresh" o;s "n le" s to the stu y of being "n of the ivine' Fro& this point6of6 vie; On Pythagoreanism (II represents, in the s!he&e of the ;or1 "s " ;hole, the highest st"ge in the "s!ent of the soul of the re" er' In "ppro"!hing
en p'9:

the su&&it of Pyth"gore"n philosophy, it "lso points to the go"l of On Pythagoreanism itself, "llo;ing us to vie; the ;or1 "s " ;hole in rel"tion to its fin"lity' Unfortun"tely, but not surprisingly, it is "lso here th"t Psellus/ e8!erpts "re &ost efi!ient' #hey "re fe;er th"n before "n so&eti&es e8tre&ely fr"g&ent"ry' No gener"l pl"n is evi ent' Psellus see&s to h"ve !"re even less th"n before "bout ;h"t he ;"s e8!erpting, "n the relev"n!e 3"n , presu&"bly, "nger4 of the theologi!"l &"teri"l to )hristi"nity i not es!"pe his noti!e 3!f' 914' But ;h"t he oes e8!erpt !ont"ins so&e i&port"nt !lues' If no gener"l pl"n is evi ent in the seBuen!e of Psellus/ e8!erpts, it "ppe"rs "t le"st th"t they "re t"1en, "s before, fro& v"rious p"rts of On Pythagoreanism (II' * stri1ing e8"&ple is the p"ss"ge "t .96:3 ;hi!h, "s it st"n s, h"s little to o ;ith the pre!e ing "n su!!ee ing se!tions' * gre"t e"l of !onte8t &ust be supplie if so&e !ontinuity is to be est"blishe bet;een it "n the other e8!erpts' Sin!e I"&bli!hus follo;e the gener"l or er of *ristotle/s physi!s "n ethi!s in org"ni?ing the previous t;o boo1s of On Pythagoreanism, one ;on ers if so&ething si&il"r &ight be the !"se here too, p"rti!ul"rly in vie; of the f"!t th"t "n *ristoteli"n ;or1 !on!erning being "n the ivine ;"s "v"il"ble, the Metaphysics' * ire!t !o&p"rison of Psellus/ e8!erpts ;ith the Metaphysics oes not "t first gl"n!e reve"l "ny rel"tion' If, ho;ever, ;e "pply " &etho use "bove in se!tion

3, !o&p"ring Psellus/ e8!erpts ;ith " l"ter Neopl"toni! !o&&ent"ry on the Metaphysics, ;e !o&e upon so&e interesting !onne!tions' #he ebt of Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics to I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ;ill be e&onstr"te belo; in )h"pter :' <ere I ;oul li1e to refer briefly to p"rt of Syri"nus/ "tte&pt to respon in his !o&&ent"ry to *ristotle/s onsl"ught in Metaphysics MN on Pl"toni! theories of sep"r"tely e8isting For&s, nu&bers, or /i e"l nu&bers/ 3 M]PNbV N^TV 4' In N - *ristotle presents " ile&&"2 given their &et"physi!"l theories, his opponents "re in " position neither to subor in"te /the ,oo / to /the %ne/, nor to i entify the&, sin!e this ;oul pro u!e "n "bsur plethor" of goo s' Syri"nus, on the !ontr"ry, h"s no iffi!ulty ;ith " plethor" of goo s 3the ivine "fter "ll is ;ithout envy4 "n therefore &"int"ins "g"inst *ristotle the i entity of the %ne ;ith the ,oo ' )'
)'

In met' 181, 3-618., 29, espe!i"lly 183, 2:69'

#he p"ss"ge "t .96:3 in Psellus/ e8!erpts, ;hi!h, "s note "bove, "ppe"rs to h"ve nothing in !o&&on ;ith the other e8!erpts, is!usses the ifferen!e bet;een the ,oo "n the %ne "n !o&p"res the
en p'99

&ultipli!"tion of the %ne ;ith the &ultipli!"tion of the ,oo ' In the !"se of the l"tter this &ultipli!"tion rel"tes to the n"ture of the ,oo , ;hi!h is gener"tive 3\ UNTVR V OQ, :04' #he !onne!tion bet;een these the&es "n Syri"nus/ !o&&ent"ry suggests " possible !onte8t for Psellus/ e8!erpt2 " re"!tion to " spe!ifi! "rgu&ent for&ing p"rt of *ristotle/s reGe!tion of sep"r"tely e8isting For&s or nu&bers in Metaphysics MN' )(
)(

It is not !le"r ;hi!h, if either, horn of *ristotle/s ile&&" I"&bli!hus "!!epte ' #he e&ph"sis on &ultipli!"tion points to Syri"nus/ position, yet the e8!erpt spe"1s of / ifferen!e/ 3perh"ps Psellus/ ;or 4' )f' I"&bli!hus, "e myst' 2:1, 961- 3Buote belo;, p' 824' +i I"&bli!hus pro u!e " !o&&ent"ry on *ristotle/s Metaphysics> +illon 319934, 22, oes not provi e suffi!ient evi en!e of su!h " !o&&ent"ry' <o;ever Si&pli!ius, In de an' 219, 2368 3referre to by Steel K1998L, 12-4 in i!"tes th"t I"&bli!hus is!usse "t le"st the ObVZ R 3go"l or intention4 of Met' q 3!f' "lso the s!holiu& on I"&bli!hus, Pr' 22, 1 ff' printe "t Pr' 129, 1:6194'

#his !onte8t ;oul is!lose in turn the rel"tion bet;een this e8!erpt "n the other e8!erpts, ;hi!h h"ve to o ;ith /i e"l/ "n / ivine/ nu&bers' If these !onGe!tures "bout the origin"l !onte8t of the e8!erpt "t .96:3 "re !orre!t, they ;oul sho; th"t "t so&e point in On Pythagoreanism (II I"&bli!hus !"&e to ter&s, to so&e e8tent, ;ith *ristotle/s !riti!is&s of Pl"toni! theories of For&s or /i e"l nu&bers/' If so&e !o&pro&ise or " Gust&ent ;"s possible bet;een *ristotle "n Pyth"gore"nis&EPl"tonis& in the re"l&s of physi!s "n ethi!s, it ;"s h"r ly so ;hen I"&bli!hus !"&e to the subGe!ts of *ristotle/s Metaphysics' ))
))

)f' Syri"nus/ gener"l "ssess&ent of *ristotle 3 In met' 80, -681, :F is!usse belo;, )h' :4'

In or er to present " s!ien!e of sep"r"tely e8isting i e"l "n ivine nu&bers, I"&bli!hus ;oul h"ve to over!o&e the "rgu&ents in Metaphysics MN'

<o;ever, there is no other tr"!e of this response to *ristotle in Psellus/ e8!erpts, )*

)*

Syri"nus !ites On Pythagoreanism (II ;hile is!ussing Met3 M, 8 3In met' 1-0, 261.4, but not in su!h " ;"y "s to i&ply th"t I"&bli!hus ;"s "lso e"ling ;ith the *ristoteli"n p"ss"ge'

"n it &"y not h"ve been " &"Gor preo!!up"tion in On Pythagoreanism (II' #here is no tr"!e, either, in Psellus/ e8!erpts of " positive theory of /i e"l/ or /intelligible/ nu&bers !orrespon ing to the For&s, ;hi!h I"&bli!hus !oul h"ve presente in !onGun!tion ;ith his response to *ristotle, "lthough e"rlier referen!es may le" one to e8pe!t su!h " theory in On Pythagoreanism (II' ).
).

)f' "bove, pp' :0, :2 3but the referen!es "re " little v"gue, "n the title of Boo1 (II in!lu es no referen!e to "n /i e"l/ K M]PNb RL "rith&eti!4'

#he e8!erpts !on!ern "l&ost entirely " sort of nu&ber ;hi!h "ppe"rs to be ifferent, / ivine/ nu&ber' #he "ppro"!h use by I"&bli!hus in tre"ting of this sort of nu&ber ;ill e&erge "s its n"ture is e8"&ine '
en p'98

3II4 +ivine Nu&ber

Psellus/ theologi!"l e8!erpts begin ;ith " su&&"ry "n " Buot"tion 3.3684 e&ph"si?ing the tr"ns!en en!e of / ivine nu&ber/ in rel"tion to other sorts of nu&ber, /hypost"ti!/ 3C &"the&"ti!"l>4, /self6&ove / 3C psy!hi!4, )/
)/

)f' I"&bli!hus, In !im' fr' .., 12613, "n "bove, p' :2'

intelle!tu"l 3UV
*0

R4, essenti"l 3V ON M]R, i'e'2 i e"l or intelligible4 *0

)f' Psellus, On Phys3 Num-' -6.'

nu&ber' #he sorts of nu&bers liste !orrespon to ifferent "n "s!en ing egrees of re"lity' * roughly eBuiv"lent list, this ti&e given in es!en ing or er, "ppe"rs "lre" y in On Pythagoreanism III, ;here the Pyth"gore"ns "re s"i to /fit/ &"the&"ti!"ls 3in!lu ing nu&bers4 to the go s, /to their being "n po;er, or er "n "!tivities, "!!or ing to "n "ppropri"te "ssi&il"tionE;h"t they thought espe!i"lly ;orth;hileEfin ing ;hi!h nu&bers "re rel"te "n si&il"r to ;hi!h go s/F then to the intelle!tu"l 3P UV VU4, pure being, i'e' i e"l 3 M]PNb U4 nu&berF then to self6&ove e8isten!e, efine "s self6&ove nu&berF then to the he"vens "n to en&"ttere for&s, i'e' physi!"l nu&bers 3 Comm' :3, 236:-, 194' #he /intelle!tu"l/ "n the /intelligible/ 3pure being4 "re tre"te "s one in this p"ss"ge, "lthough they "re istinguishe in Psellus' But " report in Syri"nus !onfir&s th"t I"&bli!hus ;ishe to istinguish the& in On Pythagoreanism (II2 Sin!e, ;hen they is!uss the ivine &on" s, they efine ifferently the intelligible &on" 3UV]P U ' ' ' TVU MQ4 fro& ;hi!h !o&es forth the very first nu&ber ' ' ' , fro& the intelle!tu"l "n e&iurgi! &on" 3UV U bQ M]TNV[ \Nb U4 ' ' ' !on!erning ;hi!h &"ny of the "n!ient "n &ore re!ent h"ve spo1en, but

&ost !le"rly of "ll the ivine I"&bli!hus in the seventh boo1 of his Pyth"gore"n tre"tise' *$
*$

In met' 1-0, 1061. 3!f' Psellus/ e8!erpts, 936-4' For the intelligible`intelle!tu"l istin!tion in Porphyry "s !o&p"re to I"&bli!hus !f' P' <" ot 319:84, I 986101'

#hus in On Pythagoreanism (II I"&bli!hus ;"s &ore pre!ise th"n in the e"rlier boo1s !on!erning the ifferen!e bet;een levels of re"lity2 "bove the ;orl of en&"ttere for&s 3physi!"l nu&bers4 ;ere to be foun /hypost"ti! nu&ber/ 3>4, self6&ove being 3or nu&ber4, intelle!tu"l being 3or nu&ber4, intelligible or pure being or the For&s 3i e"l nu&ber4, "n , tr"ns!en ing "ll, the go s 3or ivine nu&ber4' #here is "nother, &ore stri1ing ifferen!e bet;een the p"ss"ge in Boo1 III "n Psellus/ e8!erpt "t .368' #he for&er te8t !"lls for "n e8tr"pol"tion up;"r s of &"the&"ti!s, /"!!or ing to "n "ppropri"te
en p'99

"ssi&il"tion 3 Z NbQO Q4/, to;"r s the ivine, ;here"s the te8t of Psellus presents the hier"r!hy of sorts of nu&ber ;ith the purpose of stressing the tr"ns!en en!e of the ivine "n thus of enying su!h e8tr"pol"tions 3V P UQYV\ QNR Z Nb RcU, ..4' #he !onfli!t !"n be resolve by referen!e to Psellus/ e8!erpts "t 81692 "ssi&il"tion up;"r s to the ivine unities 3 U O NR4 of the /n"tur"l seBuen!e/ 3or /flo;/4 of nu&bers is "n inferior "ppro"!h, "n "n"logy' * &ore "!!ur"te "ppro"!h ;oul !onsist in st"rting, not fro& belo;, but fro& the ivine itselfF this &etho epen s, it "ppe"rs, not on "n"logy, but on /higher insight/' *%
*%

bQP b

PPV[R UUV QR 3894' )f' "bove, p' -9'

#his ifferen!e in "ppro"!h see&s to be follo;e in Psellus/ e8!erpts' <"ving e&ph"si?e the tr"ns!en en!e of ivine nu&ber 3.-684, they is!uss ivine nu&ber on the b"sis of the inferior &"the&"ti!"l "n"logies 3:-6804, "n then refer to the superior, ire!t insight into ivine nu&ber 38-694' 0h"t h"s "lre" y been le"rnt fro& Psellus/ e8!erpts 381694 "bout the "ppro"!h by "n"logy points to "n "gen "2 rel"ting the nu&bers of the n"tur"l seBuen!e of nu&bers 3i'e' fro& the &on" to the e!" 4 to the go s' #his progr"&&e is "lso follo;e in the e8!erpts rel"ting to &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy2 they is!uss su!!essively the &on" 3906.4, y" 39.684, "n tri" 3986804' <" Psellus !"re to e8!erpt &ore, ;e ;oul in "ll li1elihoo fin the subseBuent nu&bers of the e!" "lso represente ' I believe th"t ;e "re no; in " position to r"; so&e tent"tive !on!lusions "bout the stru!ture of On Pythagoreanism (II' I"&bli!hus &"y h"ve tre"te in this ;or1 of i e"l or intelligible nu&ber, "t le"st to the e8tent th"t he &"y h"ve respon e in so&e &e"sure to *ristotle/s "tt"!1 on theories of sep"r"tely e8isting For&s or i e"l nu&bers in Metaphysics MN' *lthough I"&bli!hus !le"rly believe in the istin!t re"lity of i e"l nu&bers, he ;"s espe!i"lly !on!erne in On Pythagoreanism (II ;ith " higher sort of nu&ber, / ivine nu&ber/' #o e"l ;ith this subGe!t he too1 up "g"in the tr" ition"l Pyth"gore"n e!" i! or er of

e8position, su!h "s ;"s use by Ni!o&"!hus in his !heologoumena arithmeticae, fitting e"!h nu&ber, fro& &on" to e!" , to the go s' If ;e ;ish to spe!ul"te "bout ;h"t ;or1s I"&bli!hus ;oul h"ve use here, ;e !"n s"y th"t they !ert"inly i not in!lu e *ristotle/s Metaphysics, but prob"bly ;ere tr" ition"l Pyth"gore"n ;or1s on the e!" su!h "s "re refle!te in *n"tolius/ pie!e "n use by Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena' %ne of these &ight h"ve been the Pyth"gore"n Sacred "iscourse to ;hi!h Syri"nus refers in !onne!tion
en p'80

;ith his &ention of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (II' *&

*&

In met' 1-0, 1:618, "n "bove, p' 20, belo;, p' 93'

<o;ever, I"&bli!hus !onsi ere the &etho by &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy inferior to ire!t insight into the go s, " subGe!t on ;hi!h he "lso tou!he to so&e egree' *t the s"&e ti&e " !ert"in "&ount h"s been le"rnt !on!erning the stru!ture of re"lity presente in On Pythagoreanism (II' * &ore pre!ise pi!ture of this stru!ture e&erges th"n th"t foun in e"rlier boo1s of the ;or1' #he e"rlier l"!1 of !l"rity "bout ;hether or not the ivine "n pure being "re istin!t is re&ove 2 *'
*'

)f' "bove, )h' 2 n' -:'

the level of pure being 3or the intelligible4 is inferior to the level of the go s ;hi!h is beyon being' So "lso oes " istin!tion bet;een the intelligible "n the intelle!tu"l levels, s!"r!ely r";n e"rlier, !le"rly e&erge in On Pythagoreanism (II' #his stru!ture of re"lity is not, ho;ever, !o&plete' In ;h"t follo;s I sh"ll "tte&pt to fill it out further, to the e8tent th"t Psellus/ e8!erpts per&it'

3III4 #he *ppro"!h by *n"logy

5ost of Psellus/ theologi!"l e8!erpts 3:-6804 rel"te to this subGe!t' #hey "re not for "ll th"t p"rti!ul"rly represent"tive or infor&"tive' #heir efe!tiveness "n the "&ount of o&ission ;ill be!o&e !le"rer "s they "re stu ie in et"il' #he e8!erpts first suggest th"t I"&bli!hus presente " bro" "n"logy bet;een ;h"t is highest in nu&bers 3the one, li&it, eBu"lity4 "n the ivine 3:-6:4' #his !orrespon s to the bro" "ssi&il"tions bet;een nu&bers "n en&"ttere for&s 3On Phys3 Num-3 86124, "n bet;een nu&bers "n virtue 3On th3 and !heol3 Arith3 2-6304 ;hi!h intro u!e the &ore et"ile "!!ounts of physi!"l "n ethi!"l "rith&eti! in On Pythagoreanism (6(I' #his is follo;e in Psellus/ e8!erpts by so&e lines 3::6904 h"ving to o ;ith the !"use or prin!iple 3 d 4 of ivine nu&ber' #he !orrespon en!e bet;een this "n the i entifi!"tion of !"uses "n first prin!iples in physi!"l "n ethi!"l "rith&eti! is pointe out' #hus prior to unifie ivine nu&ber is to be foun " /unifor& unity/ 3TVUV NM R UcONR4' #he l"ngu"ge use here i&plies th"t espite its unity, ivine nu&ber 3or the ivine4 *(
*(

)f' "lso 816-, ;here the /supern"tur"l/ beings "re es!ribe "s unities, U O NR'

presupposes " !"use of its unity ;hi!h, "s su!h, &ust be prior "n superior to it 3bQPa Q P QU Z V]\V[T U]4'

en p'81

#his is " fun "&ent"l " ition to the stru!ture of re"lity s1et!he "bove2 prior to "n "bove the level of the go s 3the&selves /"bove/ being4 is "n ulti&"te prin!iple of the unity of the go s' So&ething very si&il"r !"n be foun in I"&bli!hus/ On Mysteries' <ere, in one p"ss"ge, I"&bli!hus spe"1s of "s!en ing egrees of unity 3 UcONR4 "n being, !ul&in"ting ;ith the go s2 *s for the go s, their or er !onsists in the unity 3 U O N4 of "llF their pri&"ry "n se!on "ry !l"sses "n their &"ny pro u!ts "ll !"&e to be in unity' #he "ll in the& is the %neF the /beginning, &i le, "n en / !o&e to be "!!or ing to the %ne' *)
*)

.9, 1.6:0, 2' #he Pyth"gore"n &otto is !ite "lso in Psellus, On th3 !heol3 Arith3 92'

If it is not !le"r fro& this p"ss"ge th"t the go s "re "bove being "n epen the&selves on " higher prin!iple for their unity, this !"n be sho;n fro& " l"ter p"ss"ge of On Mysteries2 Before true beings "n the univers"l !"uses there is one go , the very first, even before the first go "n 1ing, re&"ining un!h"nging in the singleness of his unity' #here is nothing intelligible or other;ise " e to hi&' <e is the &o el of ' ' ' the one f"ther go , the true goo , for he is so&ething gre"ter "n the first "n the sour!e of "ll' ' ' ' Fro& this %ne the self6suffi!ient go shone hi&self forth ' ' ' , for he is !"use "n go of go s, &on" fro& the %ne, prior to being "n !"rse of being' **
**

2:1, 962:2, . 3Festugigre K19.06-L, I( 23 ff', h"s note the Pyth"gore"n !h"r"!ter of this te8t4' #he s"&e stru!ture, in its b"si! fe"tures, is "ttribute to I"&bli!hus by +"&"s!ius 3using I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the 'Chaldaean Oracles/4, "e princ3 I 8:, 3 ff' P' <" ot/s "rgu&ent 319:84, I 99 n' 1, "g"inst the r"ppro!he&ent of the te8ts in "e myst3 "n in +"&"s!ius oes not note th"t the &on" n"&e in +"&"s!ius is intelligi-le, ;hi!h &"1es the prin!iple "bove it eBuiv"lent to the supr"6intelligible &on" 3or /go of go s/4 of "e myst3, "n the prin!iple yet "bove it the s"&e "s the ulti&"te %ne, !"use of the /go of go s/ in "e myst3

)ert"in "spe!ts of this te8t "re !l"rifie in " !o&p"rison ;ith Psellus/ e8!erpts, not"bly the e8pression /go of go s/2 this in i!"tes th"t the first go "rising fro& the ulti&"te %ne is the sour!e of the other go s, or, in "rith&eti!"l ter&s, the &on" of ivine nu&ber' %n the other h"n the te8t of On Mysteries suggests " possible re"son ;hy Psellus, in his e8!erpts, "ppe"rs to h"ve !o&p"re the first of the go s 3r"ther th"n its sour!e, the ulti&"te %ne4 ;ith the )hristi"n go ' *.
*.

)f' lines 9062, is!usse i&&e i"tely belo;'

<" I"&bli!hus use e8pressions su!h "s those use in On Mysteries of the first of the go s, e'g' /first go "n 1ing/, " superfi!i"l re" er !oul
en p'82

h"ve e"sily t"1en this to be eBuiv"lent to the highest )hristi"n prin!iple'

0e h"ve "lre" y &ove in Psellus/ e8!erpts fro& the ulti&"te %ne, !"use of the unity of ivine nu&ber, to the first of the series of ivine nu&bers, the /first go /' It is referre to "s /the first/, the /one/, " /hen" /, "n /tri" / 390614' #he l"tter es!ription sho;s, unless Psellus/ e8!erpting is seriously &isle" ing here, th"t I"&bli!hus is referring to the first of the go s "n not to the ulti&"te %ne' +es!ribing it "s " tri" is to in i!"te, by &e"ns of " Pyth"gore"n &otto 392, !f' "bove, n' 9:4, its epen en!e on " prin!iple of unity' Is the ter& /hen" / eBuiv"lent to the ter& /&on" / use in On Mysteries of the first go > #he stru!tur"l !orrespon en!e bet;een the syste&s of On Mysteries "n of Psellus/ e8!erpts suggests th"t it is, but the e8!erpts the&selves o not yiel spe!ifi! evi en!e !onfir&ing this' */
*/

In " referen!e slightly l"ter 38:4 to the go s "s the / ivine one "n 3bQ 4 ivine &on" "n ivine y" ' ' ' ,/ the first /"n / &ight possibly in i!"te " istin!tion' %n the !on!epts of U R "n TVU R !f' Bur1ert 319924, 231, St"ehle 319314, 19'

If ho;ever I"&bli!hus org"ni?e his is!ourse "bout the go s on the "n"logy ;ith the e!" i! series, one ;oul e8pe!t th"t he ;oul begin by referen!e to the first of the go s "s &on" ' *n I"&bli!hus, it "ppe"rs, i refer to " ivine &on" , for Psellus/ e8!erpts list &on" s "t lo;er levelsE"n intelligible &on" , " e&iurgi! &on" , "n e"rthly 3physi!"l4 &on" 3936.4' Sin!e the tre"t&ent of the / ivine/ y" is follo;e by " si&il"r list of lo;er levels of y" s 39.684, the list of &on" s &ust "lso h"ve been he" e by referen!e to " ivine &on" in I"&bli!hus' But Psellus o&its this, ;hi!h &"1es his e8!erpting here p"rti!ul"rly obs!ure "n isGointe ' %n!e the &on" in the e!" i! series ;"s "pplie by "n"logy to the go s, &ore espe!i"lly 3"n Buite prob"bly4 to the first of the go s, sour!e of the other go s, "n hi&self origin"ting fro& the ulti&"te %ne, ;e ;oul e8pe!t th"t the other nu&bers in the series, y" , tri" , et!', ;oul h"ve been brought by I"&bli!hus into rel"tion ;ith the series of the go s' %f this, ho;ever, Psellus preserves only " fe; lines !on!erning the y" "n tri" ' #he / ivine/ y" is es!ribe "s /unli&ite po;er, never f"iling progression of life, re!eiving the &e"sure of the first one 3 ZVMVd PV[ Z PV[ U R T P V[4/ 39:694' #he /first one/ is perh"ps the first go , or hen" 3!f' 90614, " &on" "lso, it see&s' #he t;o prin!iples pro u!e the subseBuent go s, "s &on" "n y" , prin!iples of li&it "n l"!1 of li&it, pro u!e the follo;ing &e&bers of the nu&eri!"l series' #he es!ription of the ivine y"
en p'83

"s /unli&ite po;er/ istinguishes it fro& the purely neg"tive fun!tion of its "n"logue in the &"teri"l ;orl , un efine &"tter' #he l"tter is "llu e to in the list of lo;er y" i! prin!iples ne8t given in the e8!erpts2 intelligible, intelle!tu"l, &"the&"ti!"l, "n physi!"l y" s 399684' Psellus o&its "ny referen!e to " / ivine/ tri" , "s he i in the !"se of the ivine &on" , !ontenting hi&self ;ith e8!erpting fro& the se!on p"rt of I"&bli!hus/ "!!ount, i'e' th"t !on!erning the

lo;er tri" i! levels' Intelligible, intelle!tu"l, supr"6!elesti"l, !elesti"l, "n physi!"l tri" s "re liste 3986804'

3I(4 )on!lusion
I h"ve su&&"ri?e "bove ;h"t !"n re"son"bly be e u!e fro& Psellus/ e8!erpts !on!erning the gener"l pl"n of On Pythagoreanism (II' It ;ill suffi!e here to revie; the &"in fe"tures of the &et"physi!"l theory suggeste by the e8!erpts' #he stru!ture of re"lity in I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (II turns out to be Buite !o&pli!"te , "s !o&p"re to the syste& e8presse in e"rlier volu&es of the ;or1' *bove the level of the physi!"l ;orl is " series of istin!t "n "s!en ing or ers, psy!hi!`&"the&"ti!"l, intelle!tu"l, intelligible 3true being4, the ivine "bove being, "n "bove "ll or ers "n ulti&"te %ne, the "bsolute first prin!iple' *s nu&bers in the &"the&"ti!"l or er !"n be proGe!te o;n;"r s p"r" ig&"ti!"lly, pro u!ing physi!"l nu&bers, so they !"n be proGe!te up;"r s "s fore6sh" o;ing higher or ers, pro u!ing, in p"rti!ul"r, ivine nu&bers' %ur e8!erpts sho; no tr"!e of " positive theory of intelligible being "ppro"!he &"the&"ti!"lly 3i'e' i e"l nu&bers4, nor "re the rel"tions bet;een psy!hi!, &"the&"ti!"l, "n intelle!tu"l or ers !l"rifie ' But this &"y si&ply be ue to ;holes"le o&issions by Psellus' %n the other h"n " !ert"in "&ount is is!lose "bout the "n"logy est"blishe bet;een nu&bers "n the or er of the go s' #his or er, es!ribe &"the&"ti!"lly "s ivine nu&ber, is !h"r"!teri?e by unity, both of the or er itself 3 UcT UV[ ZQUP R N^TV[ , :96904 "n of the go s in the or er 3 U FO NR, 834' It thus presupposes " prin!iple of unity tr"ns!en ing it, "n ulti&"te %ne' #he or er of the go s is tre"te "s " nu&eri!"l series ;hi!h flo;s out fro& its first &e&ber, the /first one/ 3" &on" 4, or r"ther fro& the interrel"tion of the t;o first &e&bers, &on" "n y" , "!ting "s prin!iples of li&it 3or &e"sure4 "n po;er li&ite 3or &e"sure 4' Fro& &on" "n y" e&erge the first nu&bers, properly spe"1ing, "n so "lso by
en p'8-

"n"logy o the follo;ing &e&bers of the or er of the go s' Fe; et"ils !on!erning this survive, ho;ever, in Psellus/ e8!erpts' Psellus oes ret"in tr"!es of I"&bli!hus/ illustr"tions, for e"!h &e&ber of the ivine e!" , of lo;er inst"n!es !orrespon ing to e"!h of the levels of re"lity t"1en in es!en ing seBuen!e' #he penetr"tion of &on" , y" , tri" through "ll levels of e8isten!e e8presses not only the !ontinuity of the stru!ture, but "lso the e8tr"6&"the&"ti!"l "ppli!"bility of &"the&"ti!"l !on!epts' #he li&it"tions i&pli!it in the l"tter i e" "re brought out in Psellus/ l"st e8!erpts' I"&bli!hus is ;ell ";"re, "s ;e h"ve seen, th"t his /"rith&eti!"l theology/, his nu&eri!"l "n"lysis of the or er of the go s ;ho tr"ns!en being, is "n e8tr"pol"tion, "n "n"logy' It is inferior to " ire!t /&et"/6&"the&"ti!"l insight into the n"ture of the go s, ;h"tever th"t &"y be' <o; oes I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (II, "s re!onstru!te fro& Psellus/ e8!erpts, !o&p"re ;ith Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena arithmeticae> 5ore gener"lly, ho; oes the Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e e8presse in I"&bli!hus/

;or1 !o&p"re to th"t to be foun in Ni!o&"!hus> %f ;h"t i&port"n!e is this progr"&&e in I"&bli!hus/ other philosophi!"l ;ritings> #hese "n other rel"te Buestions ;ill be t"1en up in the ne8t !h"pter'
en p'8.

' I"&bli!hus/ 0or1 on Pyth"gore"nis&2 ,ener"l )on!lusions

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
In the pre!e ing t;o !h"pters the over"ll intentions "n stru!ture of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism h"ve been e8"&ine "s they "ppe"r in the first four e8t"nt boo1s "n in so f"r "s they !"n be is!overe in Psellus/ e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (6(II' It re&"ins to revie; briefly the results "!hieve "n to "tte&pt so&e "ssess&ent of the signifi!"n!e of the ;or1 "s " ;hole, in rel"tion both to I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1s "n interests "n to the e"rlier versions of Pyth"gore"nis& s1et!he "bove in )h"pter 1' #he i&port"n!e of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e for the l"ter history of ,ree1 philosophy ;ill be the subGe!t of P"rt II of this boo1' But h"ve ;e re"!he , even ;ith the help of Psellus/ e8!erpts, "n " eBu"te vie; of the ;or1 On Pythagoreanism "s " ;hole> #here ;ere "fter "ll three further boo1s 3Boo1s (III6f4 !on!erning ;hi!h ne8t to nothing is 1no;n' 5ight they not, ;ere they to resurf"!e so&e "y, "lter our gener"l pi!ture of the ;or1> #he l"st three boo1s !on!erne geo&etry, &usi!, "n "strono&y /"!!or ing to the Pyth"gore"ns/' In the gener"l s!he&e of the ;or1 they o!!upie positions !o&p"r"ble to th"t of Boo1 I(, the Ni!o&"!he"n intro u!tion to "rith&eti!' 0e !"n therefore e8pe!t th"t they ;oul h"ve been si&il"r in fun!tion "n !h"r"!ter2 ele&ent"ry intro u!tions to the re&"ining three &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, using /Pyth"gore"n/ sour!es' But I thin1 ;e !"n go further th"n this' I"&bli!hus &ight h"ve !o&pose , for Boo1s (III6f, ne; ele&ent"ry intro u!tions to geo&etry, &usi!, "n "strono&y, on o!!"sion !iting /Pyth"gore"n/ "uthorities' It is &ore li1ely, ho;ever, th"t he ;oul h"ve reissue /Pyth"gore"n/ intro u!tions to these s!ien!es if su!h ;ere "v"il"ble, "s he i in the !"se of Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction to Arithmetic 3C Boo1 I(4' *n !ert"inly su!h intro u!tions ;ere "v"il"ble to hi&' But one !"n only spe!ul"te "bout pre!isely ;hi!h ones he ;oul h"ve use ' ,iven his high st"n ing "s " Pyth"gore"n in I"&bli!hus/ eyes, Ni!o&"!hus ;oul see& the &ost li1ely "uthor he ;oul h"ve !hosen "n there is
en p'8:

so&e evi en!e th"t Ni!o&"!hus ;rote intro u!tions to &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es other th"n "rith&eti!' Ni!o&"!hus hi&self refers to "n Introduction to Geometry in his Introduction to Arithmetic 383, 3 ff'4' <is brief Manual of 7armonics refers to " l"rger ;or1 on h"r&oni!s or &usi! ;hi!h is in "ll prob"bility one of the &"Gor ,ree1 sour!es of Boethius/ "e Musica' *n fin"lly Si&pli!ius refers to " Pyth"gore"n is!overy in "strono&y reporte by I"&bli!hus /follo;ing Ni!o&"!hus/' $
$

Si&pli!ius, In "e caelo .09, 1261- C I"&bli!hus, fr' 1.- ="rsen' )f' Bur1ert 319924, 101, #"rHn 3199-4 on Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1s' #he l"ngu"ge in Syri"nus, In met' 103, : suggests use by the Neopl"tonists of Ni!o&"!he"n intro u!tions to &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es other th"n "rith&eti!' <o;ever for geo&etry Syri"nus "n Pro!lus use 7u!li 3belo;, )h' 84'

It is not !ert"in ho;ever th"t Si&pli!ius is inspire , ire!tly or in ire!tly, by On Pythagoreanism f, or th"t his report &e"ns th"t Ni!o&"!hus ;rote "n Introduction to Astronomy ;hi!h I"&bli!hus use ' 0h"tever Pyth"gore"n &"teri"ls I"&bli!hus h" re!ourse to in On Pythagoreanism (III6f, I thin1 ;e !"n s"fely s"y th"t these volu&es ;ere ele&ent"ry intro u!tions to the three &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es subor in"te to "rith&eti!' It is thus not li1ely th"t they ;oul h"ve signifi!"ntly "ltere the syste& of Pyth"gore"n philosophy or the Pyth"gore"n stru!ture of re"lity "s these "re presente in Boo1s I6(II' Fro& the point of vie; of I"&bli!hus/ re" er, the highest st"ge in his philosophi!"l progress is re"!he , not in the fin"l boo1s, but in Boo1 (II ;here " tr"nsition is prep"re fro& the re"l& of &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e to the highest levels of Pyth"gore"n philosophy'

1' %n Pyth"gore"nis&2 * Brief $evie;

+espite the Bu"ntity "n v"riety of &"teri"ls use in On PythagoreanismE Pl"toni!, Pyth"gore"n, *ristoteli"n te8tsE" unity of !on!eption "n of purpose h"s been foun to org"ni?e the ;hole' #he ;or1 is " protrepti! to /Pyth"gore"n philosophy/, le" ing the re" er fro& &ore f"&ili"r, /!o&&on/ truths up to;"r s the higher /&ysteries/ of Pyth"gore"nis&' #his &ove&ent fro& the f"&ili"r to the tr"ns!en ent h"s been observe not only ;ithin Boo1 II 3the Protreptic4 but "lso in the other boo1s' Boo1 I 3On the Pythagorean Life4 "lre" y begins the initi"tion of the re" er in provi ing evi en!es of the ivine origin of Pyth"gore"nis& "n in using the "!tions "n spee!hes of Pyth"gor"s to
en p'89

intro u!e the re" er, "t "n ele&ent"ry level, to Pyth"gore"n philosophy' #he e u!"tion of the re" er !ontinues up;"r s in Boo1 II' In Boo1 III 3 On General Mathematical Science4 the re" er "t l"st fin s hi&self in the re"l& of Pyth"gore"n philosophy properly spe"1ing, ;hi!h !onsists of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "n , "bove the&, /!onte&pl"tion/, the 1no;le ge of true being "n of the ivine' #he initi"tion to &"the&"ti!s pro!ee s step6by6step' #he gener"l intro u!tion in Boo1 III le" s to spe!ifi!, &ore te!hni!"l intro u!tions to e"!h of

the four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es 3Boo1s I(, (III6f4' Fro& the syste& of Pyth"gore"n philosophy Gust "llu e to, it ;ill be seen th"t On Pythagoreanism !overs only the first, lo;er h"lf of ;h"t I"&bli!hus !onsi ers to be Pyth"gore"n philosophy, n"&ely &"the&"ti!s' 0ere it to !over the ;hole, it ;oul h"ve to e"l, "fter Boo1 f, ;ith true being "n 3espe!i"lly4 ;ith the ivine' <o;ever, these higher regions of Pyth"gore"nis& "re foresh" o;e in Boo1 (II ;here "n "n"logy is evelope bet;een "rith&eti! "n the go s ;ho tr"ns!en being' 0ithin the ;or1 " !on!eption of Pyth"gore"n philosophy e&erges ;hi!h is !onsistent on the ;hole, "lthough so&e et"ils, espe!i"lly those h"ving to o ;ith the stru!ture of re"lity, "re e8presse "t first so&e;h"t v"guely "n "ppe"r to re!eive pre!ise for&ul"tion, if "t "ll, only in the l"ter boo1s' %
%

)f' for e8"&ple the istin!tion bet;een being "n the ivine in Boo1s I, III, (II 3"bove, pp' -., 814' So&e v"gue "re"s re&"in un!l"rifie , "s f"r "s !"n be eter&ine 3"bove, p' -.4'

But this is " !onseBuen!e of the or er of e8position, i'e' th"t of " gr" u"l "s!ent, !hosen by I"&bli!hus for his ;or1' #he figure of Pyth"gor"s is presente "t the beginning of the ;or1 ;ith the purpose, I h"ve suggeste , of re!o&&en ing Pyth"gore"n philosophy to the re" er by provi ing evi en!e of its ivine origin' I"&bli!hus !olle!ts the legen s "sso!i"te ;ith Pyth"gor"s' But he "lso in i!"tes his opinion of the&2 he is !on!erne ;ith the origin "n &ission of Pyth"gor"s/ soul' Pyth"gor"s/ soul is in f"!t one of the souls of the ivine !o&p"ny of Pl"to/s Phaedrus ;hi!h p"r" es "bove the ri& of the he"vens "n !onte&pl"tes the i&&"teri"l For&s, or true being' Pyth"gor"s/ soul oes not f"ll fro& this vision, but is sent o;n to the &"teri"l ;orl to i&p"rt 1no;le ge to the f"llen souls of those ;ho h"ve lost it, thus s"ving the&' #his interpret"tion represents, I h"ve "rgue , "n integr"tion of the Pyth"gore"n legen into I"&bli!hus/ Neopl"toni! vie; of the origin "n purpose of soul in the ;orl '
en p'88

Pyth"gor"s see&s to h"ve !o&&uni!"te &"ny ifferent sorts of 1no;le ge to &"n1in , but for I"&bli!hus the spe!ifi!"lly Pyth"gore"n revel"tion !onsists in the /&ost s!ientifi!/, unerring for&s of 1no;le ge, those h"ving to o ;ith pure, i&&"teri"l un!h"nging re"lities, n"&ely &"the&"ti!s "n the stu y of true being "n of the ivine' #he &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "re inferior to the stu y of being "n the ivine, be!"use they e"l ;ith inferior obGe!ts' 5"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts &"y, through their i&&"teri"lity "n un!h"ngingness, tr"ns!en the &"teri"l ;orl , but they "re pro u!ts, i&"ges, of true being' #his &e"ns, ho;ever, th"t &"the&"ti!s !"n tr"in "n prep"re the soul, "s in i!"te in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic, for higher ;is o&' *lthough subor in"te, &"the&"ti!s h"s " pivot"l role' In vie; of the org"ni?"tion of the &"teri"l ;orl "!!or ing to nu&ber, &"the&"ti!s in!lu es in p"r" ig&"ti! for& " theory of physi!s "n of ethi!s "s ;ell "s foresh" o;ing the highest Pyth"gore"n s!ien!e' #hese e8tr"6&"the&"ti!"l i&pli!"tions of &"the&"ti!s "re

intro u!e in Boo1 III of On Pythagoreanism "n be!"&e the obGe!ts of sep"r"te "n et"ile tre"t&ent in Boo1s (6(II' In Boo1 ( I"&bli!hus evelope " Pyth"gore"n "rith&eti!"l physi!s, th"t is, " /Pyth"gore"n/ refor&ul"tion of *ristoteli"n physi!s, in ;hi!h *ristoteli"n !riti!is&s of Pyth"gore"n i e"s ;ere &et "n /Pyth"gore"n/ i&prove&ents of *ristotle/s theories ;ere intro u!e ' ,iven the p"r" ig&"ti! rel"tion bet;een nu&bers "n the for&s i&&"nent in, "n org"ni?ing the &"teri"l ;orl , the l"tter ;ere es!ribe "s /physi!"l nu&bers/ "n ;ere sho;n, in their inst"nti"tion of physi!"l theory, to e8hibit the v"rious !h"r"!teristi!s of &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber' #he s"&e /Pyth"gore"ni?ing/ of *ristoteli"n theory, in this !"se ethi!s, ;"s "tte&pte in Boo1 (I, the s"&e sorts of "sso!i"tions sought bet;een "spe!ts of ethi!"l beh"viour "n the &"the&"ti!"l properties of nu&ber' 0hen the re" er !"&e to Boo1 (II, he &ove fro& these e8tr"pol"tions of Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!s to lo;er s!ien!es, up;"r s to &"the&"ti!s "s "nti!ip"ting the highest obGe!ts of Pyth"gore"n philosophy, the go s' <ere *ristotle !oul s!"r!ely be " "pte 3Pyth"gore"ni?e 4 for the purpose' * response h" to be &" e to !riti!is&s in the Metaphysics, "n " v"nt"ge ;"s t"1en of the &"the&"ti!"l properties of nu&ber in or er to foresh" o;, by " &etho of "n"logy, the series of the go s' #his syste& of s!ien!es &
&

#he pl"!e of psy!hology in the syste& re&"ins obs!ure' It is p"r"llel in so&e ;"y to &"the&"ti!s' But the rel"tion bet;een the t;o s!ien!es 3"n their respe!tive obGe!ts4 is not !le"rly eter&ine in the "v"il"ble evi en!e'

!orrespon s to " stru!ture of re"lity ;hi!h

en p'89

is &ost fully "n pre!isely presente "t the highest st"ge in the /"s!ent/ of the re" er, n"&ely in Boo1 (II' #he &"Gor "spe!ts of the stru!ture "ppe"r to be the follo;ing' #here is "n "bsolute first prin!iple, "n ulti&"te /%ne/ "bove, "s presuppose by, the unity of " series of go s' #his series possesses unity in itself "n in e"!h of its &e&bers' %n the "n"logy ;ith " nu&eri!"l series the ivine series origin"tes fro& its first &e&bers, " /first one/ 3perh"ps "lso es!ribe "s " /&on" /4 "n " ivine y" ' *!ting together "s prin!iples of li&it "n of the po;er li&ite , these t;o gener"te the follo;ing &e&bers of the ivine or er' #he or er of the go s 3or / ivine nu&ber/, in &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy4 tr"ns!en s the level of pure being, the intelligible, /i e"l/ nu&ber, in ;hi!h &on" , y" , "n tri" "re "lso foun , presu&"bly "g"in in virtue of &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy' +istin!t "n inferior to the intelligible is "n /intelle!tu"l/ level, !on!erning ;hi!h little is s"i in ;h"t survives of On Pythagoreanism, "p"rt fro& the i e" th"t here too "n"logues of &on" , y" , tri" "re to be foun ' Belo; this level !o&es /&"the&"ti!"l re"lity/ ;hose !h"r"!teristi!s h"ve serve to es!ribe by "n"logy the higher or ers' Pro8i&"te in so&e ;"y to &"the&"ti!"l re"lity is soul, but the rel"tions bet;een these t;o or ers re&"in obs!ure' Belo; soul "n &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber is the &ultipli!ity of en&"ttere for&s 3/physi!"l nu&bers/4 ;hi!h org"ni?e the &"teri"l ;orl "n ;here "g"in "n"logues of &on" , y" , et!' o!!ur'

#he stru!ture "s " ;hole represents not only ontologi!"l istin!tions bet;een types of re"lity, but "lso "n ontologi!"l subor in"tion of these types "n " !"us"l eriv"tion going fro& the higher to the lo;er, fro& the ulti&"te %ne o;n eventu"lly to the &"teri"l ;orl ' #he et"ils of the eriv"tion of re"lity "re not !le"r, "lthough the /flo;/ of nu&bers fro& the first t;o &e&bers of the e!" ;"s, it see&s, "n i&port"nt &o el for e8pl"ining eriv"tion' If " brief !o&p"rison is &" e bet;een I"&bli!hus/ /Pyth"gore"n/ stru!ture of re"lity "n the syste& of hypost"ses in Plotinus, it ;ill be note th"t I"&bli!hus h"s intro u!e ne; ontologi!"l istin!tions "n levels, n"&ely "n or er of go s interpose bet;een the ulti&"te prin!iple "n pure being, "n "n /intelle!tu"l/ or er istinguishe fro& "n inferior to pure being or the intelligible' '
'

For I"&bli!hus "s "nti!ip"ting Pro!lus/ theory of /hen" s/, !f' belo;, )h' 10 n' 2.F for the ifferen!e bet;een Porphyry "n I"&bli!hus on the intelligible`intelle!tu"l istin!tion !f' "bove, )h' 3 n' 91'

#he evi en!e oes not reve"l the re"sons for su!h intro u!tions into the Neopl"toni! syste& of re"lity' It ;ill "lso be note th"t, in !ontr"st to Plotinus,
en p'90

I"&bli!hus &"1es syste&"ti! use of &"the&"ti!s in the "n"lysis of re"lity' #his gives his &ore !o&pli!"te syste& " strong sense of !ontinuity, " !ontinuity on e"!h level of re"lity in its "rti!ul"tion in "n"logy ;ith the nu&eri!"l progression 3or flo;4 fro& &on" to e!" , "n bet;een "ll levels in the perv"siveness of rel"tions i&"ge in or i&"ging nu&eri!"l rel"tions' #his &"the&"ti?"tion of the stru!ture of re"lity, ;hi!h see1s "t the s"&e ti&e to preserve the istin!tions bet;een physi!s, ethi!s, &"the&"ti!s, "n &et"physi!s, represents " syste&"ti! "ppli!"tion of the Pyth"gore"n prin!iple th"t /"ll is li1ene unto nu&ber/' It is thus "n i&port"nt !onseBuen!e of I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e to Pyth"gore"ni?e Neopl"toni! philosophy'

2' #he $el"tion of on Pyth"gore"nis& to I"&bli!hus/ %ther 0or1s "n Interests

In or er to "ssess the signifi!"n!e of On Pythagoreanism it is ne!ess"ry first to eter&ine, "s f"r "s possible, its pl"!e *is9:9*is I"&bli!hus/ other philosophi!"l ;or1s "n the i e"s e8presse in these ;or1s' #he proble& &ight be st"te in "n e8tre&e for& by &e"ns of the follo;ing Buestions' Is On Pythagoreanism ;ithout "ny i&port"n!e or relev"n!e ;ith respe!t to I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1> +i he !o&pose it ;ithout "ny reg"r to ;h"t he hi&self !onsi ere philosophi!"lly signifi!"nt> 0"s it perh"ps the ;or1 of " beginner 3;ho nevertheless 1ne; " gre"t e"l of philosophy "n !oul ;restle ;ith *ristotle4, to be put "si e ;hen, ;ith &"turity, ifferent proGe!ts ;ere un ert"1en> (
(

)f' +illon 319934, 20' *g"inst +illon/s is&issive "ttitu e to On Pythagoreanism " &ore ire!t "ppro"!h is reBuire th"n the o!!"sion"l r"ppro!he&ents &" e by ="rsen 319924 in the !ourse of his revie; of I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1s'

If these options "re i&pl"usible, it is none the less not e"sy to i entify the pl"!e of On Pythagoreanism ;ithin I"&bli!hus/ philosophi!"l !orpus for the si&ple re"son th"t &u!h of the !orpus is lost' %nly Buot"tions fro&, "n reports on, I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n *ristotle survive' #he s"&e is true of other &"Gor ;or1s, su!h "s the Commentary on the 'Chaldaean oracles/' On Mysteries is I"&bli!hus/ only ;or1 3not !ounting in ivi u"l volu&es of On Pythagoreanism4 to be "v"il"ble to us in its entirety' #hus the &ost th"t !"n be "tte&pte is " survey of in i!"tions pointing to;"r the pl"!e of On Pythagoreanism in I"&bli!hus/ philosophy' <o;ever, it turns out th"t there "re " goo nu&ber of su!h in i!"tions "n th"t they "re very
en p'91

strong' #hey f"ll into t;o groups2 3i4 I"&bli!hus/ o;n suggestions in On Pythagoreanism "s to the rel"tion bet;een it "n !ert"in of his other ;or1sF "n 3ii4 referen!es to Pyth"gore"nis& in I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1' 3i4 It h"s been note "bove th"t On Pythagoreanism oes not !over the ;hole r"nge of ;h"t I"&bli!hus represents "s Pyth"gore"n philosophy' It e"ls ;ith the lo;er Pyth"gore"n s!ien!es, the four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, prep"ring the ;"y for, "n "nti!ip"ting, the stu y of true being "n of the ivine' But it oes not e"l ;ith these higher regions of Pyth"gore"nis& in their o;n right' #he ;or1 "s " ;hole thus in i!"tes ;h"t shoul follo; it2 " tre"tise 3or tre"tises4 on being "n , espe!i"lly, on the ivine' In ee I"&bli!hus hi&self refers the re" er, in On Pythagoreanism 3Pr3 120, 1.6184, to his ;or1 On God 3m_ ^_V[ 4, for " &ore spe!ifi! "n te!hni!"l "!!ount of the etern"l, i&&"teri"l, intelligible, un!h"nging !l"ss of the go s' #his referen!e, ;ith its !h"r"!teristi! istin!tions bet;een the !o&&on 3f"&ili"r4 "n the spe!ifi!, bet;een the ele&ent"ry "n the te!hni!"l, sho;s th"t I"&bli!hus envis"ges his ;or1 On God "s " seBuel to the &"the&"ti!"l volu&es of On Pythagoreanism, e"ling "t " higher level of e8position ;ith " higher subGe!t6&"tter' Not &u!h is 1no;n "bout the ;or1 On God' #he subGe!t6&"tter in!lu e the !l"ss of intelligible go s2 the singul"r referen!e of the title shoul not therefore be t"1en in " &onotheisti! sense' #he ;or1 &"y perh"ps be the s"&e "s the tre"tise On the Gods 3m_ ^_c U4 !ite by I"&bli!hus in On Mysteries, in ;hi!h he s"ys the re" er ;ill fin " &ore "!!ur"te tre"t&ent of the !os&i! "n supr"6 !os&i! go s, /;hi!h go s le" up "n "!!or ing to ;hi!h of their po;ers, ho; they set free fro& f"te "n through ;hi!h hier"ti! "s!ents, ;h"t sort of or er the !os&os h"s "n ho; the &ost perfe!t intelle!tu"l "!tivity rules over it/ 3(III 8, 291, 106194' Pro!lus refers to " ;or1 On the Gods by I"&bli!hus ;here he s"ys I"&bli!hus is!usse the go s of the intelle!tu"l or er, "rguing th"t the &"Gor 1in s of being of Pl"to/s Sophist shoul be pl"!e "t this level "n not "t th"t of the intelligible or er' )
)

!heol3 Plat3 I .2, 2613F there is " referen!e "lso in +"&"s!ius, "e princ3 I 132, 12613'

On the Gods thus see&s to h"ve e"lt ;ith the ivine "t " v"riety of levels, !os&i! "n supr"6!os&i!, intelle!tu"l, "n intelligible' #his &ulti6level "ppro"!h

h"s been noti!e "lre" y in the tre"t&ent of &on" , y" , "n tri" in On Pythagoreanism (II' 0hether or not On the Gods is the ;or1 referre to "s On God in On
en p'92

Pythagoreanism II, one !"n !onGe!ture th"t the l"tter ;"s inspire "t le"st to so&e egree by " ;riting going un er the title Sacred discourse or On the Gods "ttribute to Pyth"gor"s, sin!e I"&bli!hus uses it in On Pythagoreanism' *
*

Vit3 Pyth3 81, 20 ff' For this Sacred "iscourse !f' #hesleff 319:.4, 1:-6:'

#his ;or1 "ppe"rs to h"ve e"lt ;ith nu&bers, fro& the &on" to the e!" , "n to h"ve rel"te go s "n e&ons to the&, n"&ely "s pro u!e by the&' Su!h, roughly, ;"s the stru!ture of Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena, "n Ni!o&"!hus &"y h"ve in f"!t use the Pseu o6Pyth"gor"s' .
.

)f' #hesleff 319:.4, 1:: 3;ith notes4'

But of the rel"tion 3if "ny4 of I"&bli!hus/ On God 3C On the Gods>4 to this ;or1, nothing is 1no;n' If I"&bli!hus/ On God ;"s in ee " /Pyth"gore"n/ theology, i'e' " tre"tise on the ivine b"se on Pyth"gore"n liter"ture, then it ;oul h"ve !o&plete , on the b"sis of Pyth"gore"n sour!es, the !over"ge of Pyth"gore"n philosophy begun in On Pythagoreanism' I"&bli!hus "lso ;rote /theologies/ b"se on Pl"toni!, 7gypti"n, "n )h"l "e"n sour!es' <is Commentary on Plato's Parmenides interprete the first /hypothesis/ of the Parmenides "s !on!erning go "n the go s' /
/

In Parm' fr' 2F !f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I l888ii6l888iiiF III 8vii ff' For " !ritiBue of evi en!e for " Platonic !heology by I"&bli!hus !f' S"ffrey 31989a4, -061'

On Mysteries is yet "nother theology, erive this ti&e fro& suppose ly 7gypti"n 3but "lso )h"l "e"n4 sour!es' $0
$0

)f' "e myst3 1, 862, 9F -, 16-F ., 8613F 1-, 968F 28:, 10611'

Fin"lly I"&bli!hus pro u!e "n enor&ous Chaldaean !heology in ;hi!h the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/ ;ere interprete ;ith help of the Pyth"gore"ns "n of Pl"to/s Phile-us' $$
$$

+"&"s!ius, "e princ3 I 8:, 3689, - 3 is!usse "bove, )h' 3 n' 994' %n Chaldaean !heology "s " title for I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the 'Chaldaean Oracles/, !f' ="rsen 319924 I .8'

It thus turns out th"t if one st"rts fro& the syste& of philosophy presente in On Pythagoreanism, one reBuires "s " seBuel " ;or1 tre"ting of being "n espe!i"lly of the ivine' I"&bli!hus hi&self refers to su!h " seBuel in On Pythagoreanism, n"&ely his 3lost4 ;or1 On God' It is possible th"t this ;or1 ;"s " /Pyth"gore"n/ theology' I"&bli!hus "lso pro u!e other theologies, b"se on Pl"toni!, 7gypti"n, "n )h"l "e"n sour!es' #hese too !oul !o&plete the !over"ge of Pyth"gore"n philosophy begun in On Pythagoreanism, if one "ssu&ption is &" e, n"&ely th"t I"&bli!hus s";, "n !ontinue to see, " unity

bet;een the theologies of the Pyth"gore"ns, of Pl"to, of the 7gypti"ns, "n of the )h"l "e"ns' In ;h"t follo;s I ;oul li1e to in i!"te briefly the e8tent to ;hi!h this "ssu&ption !"n be &" e'
en p'93

In On Pythagoreanism I"&bli!hus uses the Pl"toni! i"logues in su!h " ;"y "s to in i!"te th"t he reg"r e Pl"to "s " Pyth"gore"n' #he legen of Pyth"gor"s/ "pprenti!eship un er 7gypti"n priests is repe"te 2 <e spent t;o "n t;enty ye"rs in 7gypt in the te&ples, oing geo&etry, "strono&y, "n being initi"te , but not in " superfi!i"l or h"ph"?"r ;"y, into "ll the rites of the go s' $%
$%

Vit3 Pyth3 13, 8611F !f' 89, 9622'

Pyth"gor"s is reporte "s h"ving been e u!"te in &"the&"ti!s "n in theology not only by the 7gypti"ns, but "lso by the )h"l "e"ns2 Further they s"y th"t his ivine philosophy "n !ult ;"s !o&posite, so&e things being le"rnt fro& the %rphi!s, so&e fro& the 7gypti"n priests, so&e fro& the )h"l "e"n &"ges, so&e fro& 7leusini"n rites' ' ' ' $&
$&

Vit3 Pyth3 8., 1-618F !f' Comm3 ::, 216:9, 2' I"&bli!hus h" Pyth"gor"s/ o;n testi&ony, so he thought, to the ebt to %rphis&2 !f' #hesleff 319:.4, 1:- C I"&bli!hus, Vit3 Pyth3 82, 12683, .'

I"&bli!hus oes not &"1e !le"r ho; Pyth"gor"s/ /le"rning/ of the &"in p"rts of Pyth"gore"n philosophy 3&"the&"ti!s "n theology4 fro& the 7gypti"ns "n the )h"l "e"ns !"n be re!on!ile ;ith Pyth"gor"s/ role "s ivine reve"ler of "ll s!ien!es to &"n' Nor !"n reports he repro u!es be reg"r e "s refle!ting pre!isely his o;n vie;s' <o;ever, to Gu ge fro& On Pythagoreanism, it is unli1ely th"t he ;oul h"ve !onsi ere Pyth"gore"n theology to be "t o s ;ith 7gypti"n "n )h"l "e"n theology' It is !le"r "t "ny r"te th"t he i entifie Pl"tonis& ;ith Pyth"gore"nis&' On Mysteries stresses the epen en!e of Pyth"gor"s, Pl"to, "n other ,ree1 philosophers on the 7gypti"n priests' $'
$'

"e myst3 2, 963, . 3re" ing V\ QTTQP cU ;ith P"rtheyF !f' 2:0, 114' )f' Pro!lus, In !im3 I 38:, 8612 C +illon 319934, 1-0, 312613'

But here Pyth"gor"s "ppe"rs "s " lesser figure th"n th"t foun in On Pythagoreanism' <is role "s " ivine gui e to the 1no;le ge ;hi!h !"n only be &e i"te to &en through ivine help is no; "ssu&e by <er&es "n by I"&bli!hus/ 7gypti"n priest *b"&&on2 "s the "n!ient 7gypti"n priests gui e "n initi"te Pyth"gor"s, so ;ill *b"&&on enlighten the " ressee of the ;or1, Porphyry' $(
$(

)f' "e myst3 1, .63, .'

Pyth"gor"s "n other ,ree1 philosophers "re thus is!iples *is9:9*is the 7gypti"ns, not &"sters' %n the other h"n , )h"l "e"n theology is tre"te "s eBu"l to 7gypti"n
en p'9-

theology "n in ee "s in "gree&ent ;ith it, espite so&e ifferen!es' $)

$)

"e myst3 ., 8611 3"gree&ent i&plie 4F 2-9, 3 ff' 3 ifferen!es4'

7ven ;ithin "n!ient 7gypti"n s"!re liter"ture there "re ivergen!ies 32:0, 106 2:1, 84, but I"&bli!hus oes not !onsi er this " thre"t to the integrity of 7gypti"n theology' *n "ll6too6brief in i!"tion is given of ho; iversity "n unity, not only ;ithin 7gypti"n theology, but "lso bet;een 7gypti"n "n )h"l "e"n theology !oul be re!on!ile 2 #his is true of "ll of the s!ien!es !onveye to &en by the go s' *s they " v"n!e in ti&e, they "re often &i8e in ;ith &u!h th"t is &ort"l, losing the ivine !h"r"!ter 3 ^VR4 of the 1no;le ge' 3299, 136184 #his i e", inten e to e8pl"in the !ontr" i!tions Porphyry foun in "strology, suggests th"t the ivinely reve"le 1no;le ge &e i"te by 7gypti"ns, )h"l "e"ns, their pupils Pyth"gor"s, Pl"to ' ' ' , "!Buires iversity "n even i&purity in the !ourse of its histori!"l tr" ition' It is not !ert"in th"t this vie; of the rel"tions bet;een 7gypti"n, )h"l "e"n, Pyth"gore"n, "n Pl"toni! philosophy is pre!isely th"t presuppose either by On Pythagoreanism or by the Chaldaean !heology' )on!erning the l"tter ;or1, "ll th"t !"n be s"i on the subGe!t is th"t I"&bli!hus thought it suit"ble to intro u!e Pyth"gore"n "n Pl"toni! i e"s in his interpret"tion of the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/' In !on!lusion, it is s"fe to s"y th"t for the I"&bli!hus of On Mysteries, " Pl"toni!, 7gypti"n, or )h"l "e"n !heology !oul very suit"bly be re" "s " seBuel to On Pythagoreanism' It is li1ely th"t su!h ;oul h"ve been his vie; "lso in his Chaldaean !heology "n in On Pythagoreanism' In On Pythagoreanism itself he refers to " seBuel, his ;or1 On God, ;hi!h &"y in ee h"ve been " /Pyth"gore"n #heology/, but not for "ll th"t very ifferent fro& ;h"t he there un erstoo to be the theology of Pl"to, of the 7gypti"ns, "n of the )h"l "e"ns' 3ii4 In the pre!e ing p"ges I h"ve "rgue th"t On Pythagoreanism is rel"te to !ert"in of I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1s, t"1ing &y !ue fro& in i!"tions given in On Pythagoreanism itself2 " spe!ifi! referen!e to " seBuel, the ;or1 On GodF "n the syste& of philosophy presente in On Pythagoreanism "s sus!eptible of fulfil&ent "lso by I"&bli!hus/ other theologi!"l ;or1s' In ;h"t follo;s I sh"ll "ppro"!h the &"tter fro& "nother "ngle' #he presen!e of " Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e in ;h"t re&"ins of I"&bli!hus/ other ;or1s ;ill be brought out, so "s to sho; th"t his interest in it e8ten e ;ell beyon the !o&position of " ;or1 spe!ifi!"lly evote to it' I sh"ll is!uss ;h"t !"n be le"rnt in
en p'9.

p"rti!ul"r "bout I"&bli!hus/ lost !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n *ristotle' It ;ill soon e&erge th"t " ten en!y to Pyth"gore"ni?e is " very signifi!"nt fe"ture of these !o&&ent"ries' I sh"ll !onfine &yself to presenting here so&e &"Gor "spe!ts, r"ther th"n "ll ele&ents, of this l"rge subGe!t' $*
$*

)f' ="rsen 319924, !hs' (6(I, for " revie; of the evi en!e rel"ting to the !o&&ent"ries of I"&bli!hus'

It &ust "lso be note th"t &ost of the "v"il"ble evi en!e h"s to o ;ith I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on *ristotle/s Categories "n on Pl"to/s !imaeus' <is other !o&&ent"ries "re, in !o&p"rison ;ith these, poorly represente in the reports on I"&bli!hus to be foun in l"ter Neopl"toni! "uthors' Si&pli!ius &"1es e8tensive use of I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the Categories in his o;n !o&&ent"ry on the *ristoteli"n te8t' <e "lso provi es " gener"l es!ription of I"&bli!hus/ ;or12 I"&bli!hus " e in v"rious ;"ys to Porphyry/s !o&&ent"ry, often in!lu ing te8ts t"1en fro& " logi!"l ;or1 "ttribute to the Pyth"gore"n *r!hyt"s' Not only i I"&bli!hus believeEin!orre!tlyEthe *r!hyt"s te8t to be "uthenti!, but he thought th"t *ristotle ;"s inspire by the Pyth"gore"n' #he h"r&ony of *r!hyt"s "n *ristotle ;"s to be sho;n, refle!ting the !o&plete in ebte ness of *ristoteli"n to /*r!hyt"ss logi!' 0hereE"n it ;"s sel o&E*r!hyt"s "n *ristotle iffere , su!h ifferen!es h" to be e8pl"ine ' $.
$.

I"&bli!hus, In cat3 fr' 2 3C Si&pli!ius, In cat3 2, 962.4' I"&bli!hus Buotes *r!hyt"s in In cat3 frs' 21, 22, 2:, 3:, 98, 89, 90, 9:, 10:, 109, 108, 110, 112' )f' ="rsen 319924, I 2336301' For the "te of the 3Pseu o64 *r!hyt"s "n its use of *ristotle/s Categories, !f' S?le?H1 319924, 1-619, ;ho e its the te8t "n in i!"tes th"t its "uthenti!ity ;"s not "!!epte by "ll in the fourth !entury'

Si&pli!ius gives "n e8"&ple of this2 It see&s, I"&bli!hus s"ys, th"t the *ristoteli"n position h"s been turne ";"y 3perverte , ZQ QP P ^QN4 fro& Pyth"gore"n te"!hing' #he re"son is th"t the &o erns o not h"ve the s"&e vie; of nu&ber "n of !h"nge "s o the "n!ients, but the for&er thin1 these "re "!!i ents, supervening fro& outsi e 3 Wc^ U Z OQbPQ4 ;here"s the l"tter see the& "s essenti"l 3V ON M]4' $/
$/

I"&bli!hus, In cat3 fr' 109'

#his !on!eption of " perverting "&ong the &o erns 3*ristotle4 of the "n!ient tr" ition 3Pyth"gor"s4 fro& ;hi!h they erive their 1no;le ge is si&il"r to the i e" foun "bove in On Mysteries of " ivine revel"tion of 1no;le ge to &"n ;hi!h is gr" u"lly !orrupte ;ith the progress of ti&e' 0h"t it ent"ils here is using /Pyth"gore"n/ logi!, the 3Pseu o64 *r!hyt"s, "s " st"n "r or gui e for the "ssess&ent of *ristotle/s
en p'9:

Categories' %0
%0

In I"&bli!hus/ In cat3 *r!hyt"s is set up "s " /gui e/ 3fr' 10:, 2 \ T UQ Z V OPQPQN4, Gust "s

Pyth"gor"s is in On Pythagoreanism 3Vit3 Pyth3 :, 263 \ T UQ ' ' ' Z VOP]O T ^Q4 "n <er&es in On Mysteries 31, :68 Pc U Y \cU \ T U ' ' ' ' ' ' Z V OP]b R4'

0here both te8ts "gree, *ristotle is Pyth"gore"n "n rightF ;here *ristotle iverges, he is perverting the "n!ient tr" ition' In the !"se, for e8"&ple, of the proble& of ti&e, this !urious retre"t to the suppose sour!es of *ristotle be!o&es in f"!t " &e"ns of " v"n!ing beyon *ristotle in the ire!tion of "

theory " goo e"l &ore !o&pli!"te th"n th"t foun either in *ristotle or in Pseu o6Pyth"gore"n te8ts' %$
%$

)f' "bove, p' :8' 5u!h !oul "lso be s"i "bout I"&bli!hus/ use of spe!ifi! Pyth"gore"n prin!iples in the interpret"tion of *ristotle/s CategoriesF !f' I"&bli!hus, In cat3 frs' 33, 39, .3, .:, .8'

#he re!onstru!tion of Boo1s ( "n (I of On Pythagoreanism suggests th"t I"&bli!hus/ "ttitu e there to *ristoteli"n physi!s "n ethi!s ;"s si&il"r to his vie; of *ristoteli"n logi! in his Commentary on the Categories' <e !oul follo; *ristotle/s physi!"l "n ethi!"l tre"tises, "n yet !orre!t the& "n substitute Pyth"gore"n &"teri"ls ;here "ppropri"te, on the "ssu&ption th"t those tre"tises ;ere fun "&ent"lly Pyth"gore"n in inspir"tion, if so&eti&es !orrupte or perverte in rel"tion to their sour!e' %%
%%

)f' Syri"nus, In met3 192, 1.629'

#urning to the evi en!e !on!erning I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to, ;e fin Pyth"gore"nis& i&port"nt both in I"&bli!hus/ theories "bout the Pl"toni! !orpus "n its e8egesis, "n in his interpret"tion of in ivi u"l i"logues' It is " ;ell6 est"blishe f"!t th"t I"&bli!hus fi8e the !"non of Pl"toni! i"logues ;hi!h be!"&e /for &ore th"n t;o !enturies the st"n "r !urri!ulu& in the Pl"toni! s!hools/' %&
%&

0esterin1, in Anon3 Prol3 Plat3 888vii'

#his !"non !onsiste of t;o !y!les, the first in!lu ing ten i"logues e"ling su!!essively ;ith ethi!"l, logi!"l, physi!"l, "n theologi!"l subGe!ts, the se!on !o&prising t;o i"logues, the !imaeus "n Parmenides, ;hi!h su& up the first ten i"logues "n !over respe!tively physi!s "n theology' %'
%'

)f' Anon3 Prol3 Plat3 888vii68lF Festugigre 319:94'

#his "rr"nge&ent is h"r ly "rbitr"ry' Its !losest "n"logue is &"the&"ti!"l2 the e!" th"t !o&prises "ll nu&bers, "n the first t;o nu&bers, the &on" "n y" , th"t pre6!ont"in "n pro u!e "ll other nu&bers' Porphyry, it &ight be re!"lle , h" "lso org"ni?e Plotinus/ tre"tises in his e ition "long nu&eri!"l lines, ivi ing the& into si8 sets of nine 3/7nne" s/4' #he first i"logue in the first !y!le, the Alci-iades, ;"s reg"r e by
en p'99

I"&bli!hus "s !ont"ining i&pli!itly "ll th"t ;oul e&erge in the follo;ing i"logues, i'e' logi!, ethi!s, physi!s, "n theology' *t le"st, this is Pro!lus/ un erst"n ing of ;hy I"&bli!hus g"ve the Alci-iades first pl"!e in the !y!le' Pro!lus s"ys2 *n in ee it see&s to &e th"t it is for this re"son th"t the ivine I"&bli!hus "llotte it the first pl"!e "&ong the ten i"logues in ;hi!h he believes the ;hole philosophy of Pl"to to be !ont"ine , their entire subseBuent evelop&ent being pre6!ont"ine "s it ;ere in se&in"l for& in this i"logue' %(

%(

I"&bli!hus, In Alc3 fr' 1 3tr"nsl' +illon, slightly &o ifie 4'

#he &et"phor of " see "s /pre6!ont"ining/ ;h"t ;ill evolve fro& it is !o&&on enough in Neopl"toni! philosophy' It shoul be note , ho;ever, th"t the subGe!t here is the first &e&ber of " series of ten, i'e' " &on" , "n th"t the &et"phor of the see "ppe"rs in Ni!o&"!hus "n I"&bli!hus "s " ;"y of es!ribing ho; the &on" pre6!ont"ins the other nu&bers of the e!" th"t flo; out fro& it' %)
%)

)f' Ni!o&"!hus, Intro3 arith3 113, 26:F I"&bli!hus, In Nic3 11, 11619F 81, 236-, "n espe!i"lly 10, 12613F <er&i"s, In Phaedr3 1-1, 1:619F Syri"nus, In met3 3, 2263'

#his provi es further evi en!e of the &"the&"ti!"l !on!eption un erlying I"&bli!hus/ !"non of Pl"toni! i"logues' For in the first !y!le of this !"non I"&bli!hus !o&p"re the rel"tion bet;een the first "n the follo;ing i"logues to the rel"tion bet;een &on" "n the rest of the e!" ' %ne &ight "lso note th"t in ter&s of the syste& of philosophy of On Pythagoreanism there is one i&port"nt g"p in the "s!en ing seBuen!e of s!ien!es !overe by both !y!les of Pl"toni! i"logues, " g"p !o&ing bet;een physi!s "n theology' 5"the&"ti!s, n"&ely, is &issing, i'e' the pivot"l st"ge !overe in On Pythagoreanism' So&e of the e8egeti!"l prin!iples I"&bli!hus "pplie in interpreting Pl"to "re reg"r e by hi& "s Pyth"gore"n' %ne of these !onsists in e8pl"ining the "bsen!e of !ert"in &"tters in " te8t in ter&s of the nee to intro u!e v"rious subGe!ts in "ppropri"te !onte8ts, so th"t, for e8"&ple, &ore profoun i e"s shoul be presente in higher, &ore te!hni!"l tre"t&ents' #his prin!iple is "pplie in On Pythagoreanism, "s ;e h"ve seen, "n is use by I"&bli!hus in interpreting Pl"to/s !imaeus2 ' ' ' he h"s "llotte eeper investig"tion of these &"tters to &ore suit"ble o!!"sionsF for this ;"s the !usto& not only of Pl"to but before Pl"to of the Pyth"gore"ns, ;hi!h in ee ;"s so&ething th"t *ristotle p"rti!ul"rly sought, to e"l ;ith the proble&s of philosophy in ess"ys evote e"!h to " spe!i"l subGe!t' %*
%*

I"&bli!hus, In !im3 fr' :: 3tr"nsl' +illon4' )f' +illon/s "rgu&ent for this p"ss"ge "s I"&bli!he"n, 319934, 3.061'
en p'98

* rel"te Pyth"gore"n prin!iple is "pplie by I"&bli!hus "s " &etho of e8egesis in interpreting the opening p"rt of Pl"to/s !imaeus2 %thers !onsi er th"t it 'epu-licp h"s been pl"!e before the ;hole physi!s "s "n i&"ge of the org"ni?"tion of the universe' For it ;"s the !usto& of the Pyth"gore"ns to pl"!e before s!ientifi! te"!hing the reve"ling of the subGe!ts un er enBuiry through si&ilitu es "n i&"ges, "n "fter this to intro u!e the se!ret revel"tion of the s"&e subGe!ts through sy&bols ' ' ' %.
%.

I"&bli!hus, In !im3 fr' . 3tr"nsl' +illon, slightly &o ifie 4'

#he Pyth"gore"n &etho of te"!hing through i&"ges "n sy&bols is es!ribe in On Pythagoreanism' %/
%/

+illon " lo!' refers to Vit3 Pyth3 39, -69F .9, 196:0, 1F !f' "lso Pr3 10-, 2: ff'

#he re!ourse to Pyth"gore"n pr"!ti!es "s provi ing e8egeti!"l prin!iples ;"s p"rti!ul"rly suit"ble in rel"tion to Pl"to/s !imaeus, sin!e it see&s th"t in his Commentary on the !imaeus I"&bli!hus reg"r e #i&"eus/ is!ourse "s Pyth"gore"n2 %ne shoul put it this ;"y, then, th"t #i&"eus, being " Pyth"gore"n, follo;s Pyth"gore"n prin!iples 3 dQN R4' *n these in turn "re %rphi! prin!iples ' ' ' this Pyth"gor"s hi&self st"tes' &0
&0

I"&bli!hus, In !im3 fr' 9- 3tr"nsl' +illon4F !f' "bove, n' 13, "n +illon/s !o&&ent"ry, 319934, 3:36

-'

* r"ppro!he&ent bet;een Pyth"gor"s "n %rpheus h"s "lre" y been foun "bove in On Pythagoreanism' I"&bli!hus/ "ppro"!h to #i&"eus/ is!ourse "lso suggests th"t in his !o&&ent"ry he &" e use of Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples in the interpret"tion of #i&"eus/ physi!s, &u!h "s he h" e&ph"si?e &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples in his Pyth"gore"ni?ing of *ristotle/s physi!s in On Pythagoreanism (' #he evi en!e in ee sho;s th"t I"&bli!hus referre to the rel"tions bet;een the &on" "n the nu&bers flo;ing fro& it in e8pl"ining the rel"tions in the !imaeus bet;een the /5o el =iving Being 3P Q PVe VU4/ "n other living beings 3fr' -34, bet;een tr"ns!en ent soul "n other souls 3frs' .0, .-4, "n bet;een the go s 3fr' 994' Nor is it une8pe!te th"t ;hen he !"&e to #i&"eus/ "!!ount of the !onstitution of soul through v"rious nu&bers, I"&bli!hus re; "ttention to the spe!i"l properties 3 MN TQPQ4 of the nu&bers !on!erne , those properties p"r" ig&"ti! "n sy&boli! of the stru!ture "n yn"&i! of physi!"l "n of tr"ns!en ent re"lity' &$
&$

I"&bli!hus, In !im3 fr' .3F !f' "lso fr' -8' In so&e brilli"nt p"ges <"r er 3192:4, 8vi68vii, "rgues th"t I"&bli!hus use " te8t 3f"lsely4 "ttribute to the Pyth"gore"n #i&"eus of =o!ri in his Commentary on the !imaeus, in the ;"y th"t he use the Pseu o6*r!hyt"s in his Commentary on the Categories'
en p'99

#he Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies of I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on *ristotle "n Pl"to eserve " l"rger tre"t&ent th"n th"t provi e here' &%
&%

)f' "lso I"&bli!hus, In Phile-um 3" /theologi!"l/ i"logue4 fr' 3, ;here I"&bli!hus follo;s /Pyth"gor"s/ in his e8egesis of " p"ss"ge' )f' Pr"e!hter 319104, 19163 ;ith 200 n' 2'

<o;ever, the brief revie; of the subGe!t th"t I h"ve propose is " eBu"te, I believe, for the purpose here pursue , n"&ely to sho; th"t I"&bli!hus/ interest in Pyth"gore"nis& ;"s not li&ite &erely to !o&posing " ;or1 on the subGe!t' In his Commentary on the Categories he !onsi ere *ristotle/s te8t to be " so&e;h"t !orrupt version of Pyth"gore"n theory' 3 On Pythagoreanism ( "n (I i&ply " si&il"r "ttitu e to *ristotle/s physi!s "n ethi!s'4 Not enough is 1no;n of

I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on other ;or1s of *ristotle to eter&ine if su!h "n "ppro"!h ;"s " opte there too' In is!ussing Pl"to/s i"logues I"&bli!hus resorte to Pyth"gore"n i e"s 3"s he un erstoo the&4 to e8pl"in his !"non of Pl"toni! i"logues "n to pro u!e e8egeti!"l &etho s to be "pplie to it' <e reg"r e the !imaeus "s " physi!s b"se on Pyth"gore"n prin!iples' *n ;hen his re" er &ove up the s!"le of i"logues, re"!hing the highest level, the theologi!"l i"logues 3Phile-us in the first !y!le, Parmenides in the se!on !y!le4 EeBuiv"lent to the highest level of Pyth"gore"n philosophy "!!or ing to On PythagoreanismEthere too he ;oul re" te8ts ;hi!h ;ere, if ;e follo; I"&bli!hus/ interpret"tion of Pl"to in On Pythagoreanism, Pyth"gore"n in inspir"tion' It h"s been note "bove th"t I"&bli!hus e8pli!itly !onne!ts On Pythagoreanism ;ith his ;or1 On God 3Gods>4' In vie; of his un erst"n ing of the rel"tions bet;een Pyth"gore"nis&, Pl"to, the 7gypti"ns, "n )h"l "e"ns, On Pythagoreanism is "lso i&pli!itly !onne!te ;ith his ;or1s on Pl"toni!, 7gypti"n, "n )h"l "e"n theology in so f"r "s they !onstitute "ppropri"te seBuels to it' #he gener"l position in On Pythagoreanism reg"r ing the rel"tions bet;een Pyth"gor"s, Pl"to, "n *ristotle is "lso foun in, "n governs, his !o&&ent"ries on 3"t le"st so&e of4 the ;or1s of Pl"to "n *ristotle' Both Pl"to "n *ristotle o;e their philosophy to Pyth"gor"s' 0hen *ristotle iverges, he !orrupts the truth in its tr" ition "&ong &en' #his l"tter i e" "ppe"rs in " l"rger !onte8t in On Mysteries, ;here 1no;le ge is reg"r e "s " ivine revel"tion, &e i"te by priests, &"ges, et!', "n gr" u"lly !orrupte ;ith ti&e' Fro& this point of vie; the ,ree1 philosophi!"l tr" ition erive fro& Pyth"gor"s "ppe"rs "s " rel"tively re!ent 3thus
en p'100

!orrupte 4 st"ge' )oul this "lso be the ulti&"te point of vie; presuppose in On Pythagoreanism> #he s"&e theory of " ivine revel"tion of 1no;le ge to &"n is foun there, the s"&e re!ourse to the "n!ients 3in ,ree1 philosophy4' #he !onne!tions ;ith 7gypti"n "n )h"l "e"n te"!hers "re &" e' But the evi en!e goes no further' )ert"inly the histori!"l thesis of On Mysteries ;"s not !onfine to th"t ;or1' It is foun "g"in in ;h"t survives of one of I"&bli!hus/ &ore te!hni!"l philosophi!"l tre"tises, On the Soul, ;here the tr" ition of ,ree1 philosophy "n espe!i"lly its best represent"tives, Pl"to "n the Pyth"gore"ns, "re &e"sure 3to their is" v"nt"ge4 "g"inst " &ore vener"ble "uthority, the /"n!ients/, &e"ning "pp"rently the 7gypti"ns "n )h"l "e"ns' &&
&&

)f' I"&bli!hus, "e an3, in Stob"eus, Anth3 I 3::, .611F 38-, 29628 3;ith Festugigre/s note, K19.06-L, III 23: n' 34F espe!i"lly -.-, 2.6-.8, 21 3;ith Festugigre/s notes, 2-068, 2:34' 5ore "n less "!!ur"te 3"n pure4 for&s of Pl"tonis&`Pyth"gore"nis& "re istinguishe "t 3:-, :F 382, 11F -.-, 29, !orrespon ing so&eti&es 3not "l;"ys4 to e"rlier "n &ore re!ent ti&es2 !f' 3:., .63::, 11' )f' ="rsen/s is!ussion 319924, I 199 ff', of the "e an'

3' I"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis& "n Its Pre e!essors

In the fin"l se!tion of this !h"pter I ;oul li1e to !o&p"re I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies ;ith those of his pre e!essors, not"bly the philosophers of the se!on "n thir !enturies *+ is!usse "bove in )h"pter 1' If I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"nis& is to be "ssesse !orre!tly, it &ust be vie;e not only ;ithin the !onte8t of his other ;or1, but "lso in its rel"tionsEof ebts "n of ifferen!eE;ith its pre e!essors' Sin!e the fr"g&ent"ry n"ture of the evi en!e !on!erning &ost of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 oes not per&it of "sserting ;ithout reserve th"t his un erst"n ing of the pl"!e of Pyth"gor"s in the history of ,ree1 philosophy "n , &ore bro" ly, in the tr" ition of 1no;le ge "&ong &en, re&"ine the s"&e in e"!h of his ;or1s, &'
&'

<o;ever, the freBuent !onne!tions observe "bove, not only in se!t' 2 of this !h"pter, but "lso in )h' 3, suggest !onsi er"ble !ontinuity'

it ;ill be pru ent to !onsi er sep"r"tely v"rious "spe!ts of Pyth"gore"nis& "ppe"ring in his ifferent ;or1s' #he !on!eption in On Mysteries 3"lso "ssu&e to so&e egree in On the Soul4 of ,ree1 philosophy "s " rel"tively &o ern, so&e;h"t egr" e version of the te"!hings of "n!ient 7gypti"ns "n )h"l "e"ns 3the&selves ivinely inspire 4 "ppe"rs to h"ve been !entr"l to
en p'101

&"ny of Porphyry/s ;ritings' #his ;"s not of !ourse " ne; i e"' *s h"s been pointe out, it ;"s " popul"r notion sin!e the ti&e of Pl"to "n *ristotle' <o;ever, by ;riting e8tensively "bout the 7gypti"ns, )h"l "e"ns, Persi"ns, "s ;ell "s "bout "n!ient ,ree1 s"ges, Porphyry g"ve to this non6philosophi!"l liter"ture "n i&port"nt pl"!e in the re" ing6lists of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' Pl"to "n *ristotle be!"&e subor in"te figures, even if, in f"!t, they provi e the syste& in ter&s of ;hi!h the &ore "n!ient liter"ture ;"s un erstoo ' If I"&bli!hus/ i&&e i"te ebt to Porphyry in this respe!t is evi ent, his position "lso see&s in so&e "spe!ts so&e;h"t ifferent' <e "ppe"rs &ore !o&&itte to Porphyry/s vie; th"n Porphyry hi&self ;"s' *t le"st, this is the !"se in reg"r to Porphyry/s Letter to Ane-o ;hi!h, "lthough e8pe!ting to fin the "ns;ers to ,ree1 philosophi!"l Buestions in 7gypti"n religion, nevertheless for&ul"tes philosophi!"l !riti!is&s of !ert"in religious pr"!ti!es' In On Mysteries, ho;ever, I"&bli!hus is Buite r" i!"l in his insisten!e th"t "ll "spe!ts of 7gypti"n religion &ust be "!!epte , though through "n interpret"tion of the&, it &ust be s"i , th"t is highly philosophi!"l' * !o&p"rison of Porphyry "n I"&bli!hus on this subGe!t "lso suggests th"t I"&bli!hus ;"s &ore syste&"ti! in the subor in"tion of ,ree1 philosophy to "n!ient revel"tion' #his subor in"tion e8presses itself in the !on!eption of " histori!"l tr" ition of 1no;le ge "&ong &en ;hi!h is "lso " gr" u"l !orruption of this 1no;le ge' In vie; of Porphyry/s histori!"l eru ition one !"n !ert"inly suppose th"t su!h " !on!eption &"y h"ve been inspire by hi&' But the e&ph"sis in I"&bli!hus on " egr" "tion of truth !o&ing ;ith its e8pression in

ti&e re&in s one r"ther of the egr" "tion th"t h" been tr"!e "lre" y by Nu&enius on " s&"ller s!"le in his history of Pl"to/s *!" e&y' If one turns fro& the univers"l tr" ition of 1no;le ge to its e8pression "&ong the ,ree1s, one !"n "lso observe " &ore !o&&itte "n syste&"ti! "ppro"!h in I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on the Categories "n on the !imaeus, "s ;ell "s in On Pythagoreanism, ;ith reg"r to the rel"tions bet;een Pyth"gor"s, Pl"to, "n *ristotle' )ert"inly Porphyry ten e to Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"tonis& "n Pl"tonists 3Plotinus4, "n "lso brought *ristotle into the Neopl"toni! !urri!ulu&' But in the evi en!e !on!erning hi& there is no eBuiv"lent to I"&bli!hus/ rigorous re u!tion of "ll in Pl"to "n "ll th"t he thought goo in *ristotle to Pyth"gore"nis&' Su!h " re u!tion ;"s gre"tly f"!ilit"te by the "v"il"bility of suppose ly Pyth"gore"n ;or1s th"t I"&bli!hus too1
en p'102

to prove the epen en!e of Pl"to "n *ristotle on Pyth"gore"nis&, "lthough in f"!t they ;ere !ribbe fro& Pl"to "n *ristotle' &(
&(

%n I"&bli!hus/ unpre!e ente "!tivity in resurre!ting Pseudo9Pythagorica !f' <"r er 3192:4, 8v

ff'

In this ;"y Pyth"gor"s "ssu&es " o&in"nt role in ,ree1 philosophy su!h "s he oes not "ppe"r to h"ve in Porphyry' *n "s the 7gypti"ns "n )h"l "e"ns "re origin"l revel"tory sour!es for "ll &"n1in , so Pyth"gor"s is for ,ree1 philosophy' <ere "g"in, I believe, ;e &ust refer to Nu&enius, to his rigorous re u!tion of /true/, /pure/ Pl"tonis& 3"s !ontr"ste ;ith its !orrupte , i'e' &"teri"li?e , for&s4 to Pyth"gore"nis&' <o;ever *ristotle, in Nu&enius, ;"s not, "s f"r "s ;e 1no;, proGe!te b"!1;"r s on to Pyth"gor"s 3"n thus integr"te 4 in the ;"y th"t he is in I"&bli!hus' 0hen it !o&es to the es!ription of ;h"t "!tu"lly !onstitutes /Pyth"gore"n philosophy/, I"&bli!hus, in On Pythagoreanism, !"n be s"i to follo; the le" of Ni!o&"!hus' <e " opts Ni!o&"!hus/ restri!tion of Pyth"gore"n philosophy to the &ost /s!ientifi!/ for& of 1no;le ge, n"&ely th"t !orrespon ing to i&&"teri"l "n un!h"nging re"lity' <e e8ploits Ni!o&"!hus/ notion th"t e"!h nu&ber h"s spe!ifi! properties 3 MN TQPQ4 in eveloping &"the&"ti!"l p"r" ig&s for physi!s "n ethi!s' Su!h "n"logies to physi!s "n ethi!s "re "lso inspire by Ni!o&"!hus, "s is the Gustifi!"tion for the "n"logy to physi!s, n"&ely the i e" th"t the &"teri"l ;orl is stru!ture "!!or ing to the properties of nu&bers' #he "ssi&il"tions th"t Ni!o&"!hus propose bet;een nu&bers "n eities ;ere "lso t"1en up 3but ;ith so&e i&port"nt !h"nges th"t ;ill be note belo;4 by I"&bli!hus' In ee it !"n be s"i th"t Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction to Arithmetic "n !heologoumena arithmeticae "re the &ost i&port"nt sour!e of inspir"tion for On Pythagoreanism "s " ;hole' *t the s"&e ti&e, ho;ever, there "re fun "&ent"l ifferen!es bet;een Ni!o&"!hus "n I"&bli!hus' In gener"l, I"&bli!hus/ vie; of the syste& of philosophy "n of the stru!ture of re"lity is &u!h &ore !o&pli!"te , refle!ting in

f"!t the thought, not of " se!on !entury Pl"tonist, but of Porphyry/s &ost i&port"nt "n origin"l pupil' #he s!ien!e of pure i&&"teri"l nu&bers is by no &e"ns the highest, "s it "ppe"rs to be in Ni!o&"!hus' *bove the purely &"the&"ti!"l level "re /intelle!tu"l/, /intelligible/, "n / ivine/ or ers, "ll tr"ns!en e by "n ulti&"te prin!iple, /the %ne/' 5"the&"ti!s thus is returne fro& the o&in"nt position it see&s to h"ve in Ni!o&"!hus to "n inter&e i"ry position su!h "s is "ssigne to it
en p'103

in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic' &)

&)

)f' Comm3 89, 19688, 2, ;here I"&bli!hus insists, "g"inst the opinion of /&"ny of the &ore re!ent Pyth"gore"ns/, th"t &"the&"ti!"ls "re neither the only nor the highest prin!iples of re"lity "n of s!ien!e'

*s " !onseBuen!e I"&bli!hus is ";"re of the li&its to "n /"rith&eti!"l theology/2 su!h " theology is b"se on "n"logy inferior to " higher, &ore !o&&ensur"te gr"sp of the ivine unities th"t tr"ns!en being' If I"&bli!hus is !loser to Ni!o&"!hus in his &"the&"ti!"l physi!s "n ethi!s, he "lso sho;s !onsi er"ble in epen en!e' <e sep"r"tes off into sep"r"te volu&es the "n"logies to physi!s, ethi!s, "n theology, ;hi!h "re tre"te together in Ni!o&"!hus/ !heologoumena' <e evelops these "n"logies f"r beyon "nything in Ni!o&"!hus by ;or1ing the& out in rel"tion to *ristotle/s physi!s "n ethi!s' In theology, I"&bli!hus/ "ppro"!h in On Pythagoreanism (II &"y h"ve !o&e ne"rer to Ni!o&"!hus/, yet the &et"physi!"l syste& gui ing this "ppro"!h ;"s !onsi er"bly &ore !o&pli!"te th"n th"t to be foun in Ni!o&"!hus' #he i&pression of e!le!ti!is& th"t su!h !o&p"risons bet;een I"&bli!hus "n his pre e!essors &"y !onvey &ust be !orre!te by e&ph"sis on the f"!t th"t " !o&prehensiveness "n syste&"ti! rigour "re foun in I"&bli!hus/ !on!eption of the n"ture of ,ree1 philosophy th"t "re not foun in his pre e!essors' Not only is the re u!tion, in On Pythagoreanism "n in so&e of the !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n *ristotle, of ,ree1 philosophy to Pyth"gore"nis& &ore !o&prehensive th"n it is in Nu&enius, &ore r" i!"l th"n it is in Porphyry, but its subor in"tion, in On Mysteries "n On !he Soul, to "n "n!ient revel"tion is &ore e&ph"ti! th"n in Porphyry' *n if I"&bli!hus is in ebte to Ni!o&"!hus in his "!!ount of ;h"t /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy "!tu"lly !onsists of, he nevertheless tr"nsfor&e Ni!o&"!hus/ Pyth"gore"nis& so th"t it !oul e8press the &u!h &ore evelope syste& of philosophy "n of re"lity of " su!!essor to Plotinus "n to Porphyry' #h"t syste& ;"s in turn tr"nsfor&e by the f"!t th"t it ;"s no; seen "s /Pyth"gore"n/' For if &"the&"ti!s ;"s neither the only nor the o&in"nt s!ien!e, it nevertheless provi e the !on!epts "n theories in ter&s of ;hi!h the obGe!ts of other s!ien!es !oul be "ppro"!he ' 5"the&"ti!"l ter&s "n !on!epts "re of !ourse by no &e"ns un!o&&on in the Pl"toni! tr" ition' But the syste&"ti! &"the&"ti?"tion ;hi!h is so stri1ing " fe"ture of l"ter ,ree1 Neopl"tonis&, the perv"siveness of !on!epts of &on" , y" , tri" , et!', is surely the !onseBuen!e of I"&bli!hus/ "&bitious progr"&&e to

en p'10-

Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy' #here h" been, of !ourse, e"rlier "tte&pts by Pl"tonists to revive Pyth"gore"nis&E;e h"ve !onsi ere the e8"&ples of Nu&enius "n Ni!o&"!husEbut I"&bli!hus/ "tte&pt ;"s !ert"inly the &ost el"bor"te "n the &ost influenti"l' &*
&*

In the )on!lusion I sh"ll suggest so&e hypotheses !on!erning ;hy I"&bli!hus sought to revive Pyth"gore"nis&'

In the follo;ing !h"pters the e8tent of this influen!e ;ill be e8"&ine in p"rti!ul"r in the !"ses of t;o l"ter Neopl"toni! philosophers, Syri"nus "n Pro!lus'
en p'10. en p'10:

Part ++ +am!lichean Pythagoreanism in the Athenian -chool

en p'109 en p'108

( <iero!les
sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
I"&bli!hus ie so&eti&e bet;een 320 "n 32:, h"ving "ttr"!te " l"rge follo;ing "s &"ster of " flourishing philosophi!"l s!hool in Syri"' $
$

)f' +illon 319934, :, 1161-'

%f his pupils, only +e8ippus "n #heo orus of *sine "re represente in " signifi!"nt ;"y in the surviving evi en!e' %
%

)f' P' <" ot 3199-4F +euse 319934'

%f &ore i&port"n!e is the influen!e I"&bli!hus ;oul e8ert "fter his e"th on " philosophi!"l s!hool th"t e&erge "t *thens in the e"rly -00s, the s!hool of Plut"r!h of *thens, Syri"nus, "n Pro!lus' In P"rt II of this boo1 I e8"&ine in p"rti!ul"r the i&p"!t I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e &"y h"ve h" on the *theni"n s!hool' I hope thus to re"!h "n "ns;er to the Buestion "s to the e8tent to ;hi!h this progr"&&e, in re u!ing Pl"to "n *ristotle to Pyth"gor"s "n in "ppro"!hing in !onseBuen!e the philosophi!"l s!ien!es "long &"the&"ti!"l lines, g"ve ne; ire!tion to the evelop&ent of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' Syri"nus h" , "s I sh"ll sho;, "n inti&"te 1no;le ge of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism2 it inspire in p"rti!ul"r the !on!eption of true, i'e' /Pyth"gore"n/

philosophy " opte in his Commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics' It ;ill be sho;n "lso th"t Pro!lus ;"s f"&ili"r ;ith On Pythagoreanism "n use it "s " sour!e in his o;n ;or1' #hus On Pythagoreanism !onstitutes " !on!rete lin1 bet;een I"&bli!hus "n the first influenti"l &e&bers of the *theni"n s!hool, " spe!ifi! te8t in ter&s of ;hi!h the egree of his influen!e on th"t s!hool !"n be "ssesse in " et"ile ;"y' #he "n"lysis ;ill be gui e by the t;o &"Gor Buestions is!usse in P"rt I, n"&ely 3i4 ;h"t is the pl"!e of Pyth"gor"s in the history of ,ree1 philosophy> 3ii4 0h"t is the role of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy> In loo1ing "t the positions t"1en by Syri"nus "n Pro!lus on these issues, I hope to in i!"te not only the ;"ys in ;hi!h they "re inspire by I"&bli!hus, but "lso the ;"ys in ;hi!h they "lter the progr"&&e for&ul"te in On Pythagoreanism' I"&bli!hus/ tre"tise ;ill serve thus not only "s "n histori!"l b"!1groun for un erst"n ing !ert"in i e"s in Syri"nus "n Pro!lus, but "lso "s " g"uge "g"inst ;hi!h the evelop&ent of their o;n philosophi!"l positions !"n be &e"sure '
en p'109

1' #he Intro u!tion of I"&bli!he"n Philosophy "t *thens in the Fourth )entury
Pro!lus, loo1ing "t his intelle!tu"l gene"logy, s"; hi&self "s p"rt of " su!!ession going b"!1 fro& his te"!her "t *thens, Syri"nus, to Syri"nus/ o;n &"ster Plut"r!h of *thens 3 ie -31`24 "n fro& Plut"r!h b"!1 to I"&bli!hus' &
&

)f' Pro!l' In Parm3 10.8, 2162F !heol3 Plat3 I( 90, 12613, ;ith S"ffrey "n 0esterin1/s note 3 31:84'

If the su!!ession le" ing fro& Plut"r!h to Pro!lus is !le"r enough 3in ee "s " young &"n Pro!lus h" Goine Plut"r!h/s s!hool " fe; ye"rs before Plut"r!h ie "n ;"s su!!ee e by Syri"nus4, the lin1 bet;een Plut"r!h "n I"&bli!hus is less evi ent' Sep"r"te fro& I"&bli!hus by &ore th"n one gener"tion, Plut"r!h, ;e &ust suppose, ;"s intro u!e to I"&bli!he"n philosophy by follo;ers of I"&bli!hus' #here "re in ee goo in i!"tions th"t by the en of the fourth !entury I"&bli!he"n philosophy h" be!o&e p"rt of the intelle!tu"l life of *thens' *s the evi en!e for this h"s "lre" y been !"refully presente "n is!usse , '
'

By S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I 888v68lviii'

I nee

o no &ore th"n su&&"ri?e the &ore i&port"nt points'

In the &i le "n l"te p"rt of the fourth !entury " !ert"in Pris!us, philosopher "n pupil of *i esius 3hi&self " is!iple of I"&bli!hus4, ;"s resi ent in *thens' It ;"s to hi& th"t the 7&peror @uli"n turne in or er to obt"in " !opy of I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the Chaldaean Oracles' #his I"&bli!he"n presen!e in *thens ;"s strengthene to;"r s the en of the !entury ;hen "nother I"&bli!hus settle there' N"&e "fter the philosopher, he ;"s gr"n son to Sop"tros, I"&bli!hus/ su!!essor in the s!hool in Syri"' #he rel"tion bet;een /I"&bli!hus II/

"n I"&bli!hus ;"s not &erely one of n"&e "n f"&ily' =ib"nius pl"!es /I"&bli!hus II/ un er the tutel"ge of Pyth"gor"s, Pl"to, "n *ristotle 3"s ;ell "s th"t of I"&bli!hus4 "n he is !o&&e&or"te "s h"ving !ontribute ;ith his ;is o&, "s ;ell "s ;ith his generosity, to *thens in "n ins!ription of c3-00' #here ;"s therefore "&ple opportunity "t *thens for Pro!lus/ philosophi!"l /gr"n f"ther/ to !o&e in !ont"!t ;ith I"&bli!hus/ i e"s' So little, ho;ever, is 1no;n "bout Plut"r!h th"t not &u!h &ore !"n be s"i "bout his !ont"!ts ;ith I"&bli!he"n philosophy th"n th"t he h" pupils, n"&ely <iero!les "n Syri"nus, ;ho " opte this philosophy "n "ttribute this to his ire!tion' (
(

)f' <iero!les in Photius, 5i-l3 III 129630, 193 "F for Syri"nus, !f' belo;, )h' :'

#he s!"r!e evi en!e !on!erning

en p'110

Plut"r!h h"s even given so&e s!hol"rs the i&pression th"t Plut"r!h bro1e on !ert"in issues ;ith the I"&bli!he"n tr" ition' #his flies in the f"!e, ho;ever, of the professe ebts of Plut"r!h/s I"&bli!he"n pupils to their te"!her "n "rgues "t best for the in" eBu"!y of our infor&"tion on Plut"r!h' )
)

)f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I, l888iv6l888viiiF Blu&enth"l 3199.4F I' <" ot 319984, 9-'

0e "re on s"fer groun , ;hen it !o&es to the "n"lysis of spe!ifi! subGe!ts, if ;e turn to those pupils of Plut"r!h ;hose ;or1 h"s in p"rt "t le"st survive ' *&ong Plut"r!h/s pupils, <iero!les "n Syri"nus h"ve "lre" y been &entione "s ;ell "s Pro!lus, ;ho Goine the *theni"n s!hool shortly before Plut"r!h/s e"th' Pro!lus ;"s !ert"inly younger th"n Syri"nus "n prob"bly "lso <iero!les/ Gunior' But ;h"t little is 1no;n of <iero!les/ life *
*

)f' I' <" ot 319984, 19620F *uGoul"t 3199:4'

Eth"t he stu ie ;ith Plut"r!h, to ;ho& he !l"i&e philosophi!"l "llegi"n!e, "n t"ught Pl"toni! philosophy in *le8"n ri"Eis not enough to eter&ine if he ;"s Syri"nus/ senior, !onte&por"ry, or Gunior' For re"sons of e8position I sh"ll is!uss <iero!les first, &oving then to Syri"nus, ;hose ;or1 is &ore i&&e i"tely relev"nt to "n e8"&in"tion of Pro!lus' If <iero!les/ ;ritings "re !onte&por"ry ;ith or l"ter th"n Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics, they o not !onstitute the e"rliest evi en!e of the influen!e of I"&bli!he"n /Pyth"gore"nis&/ on the *theni"n s!hool' If, ho;ever, they "re e"rlier th"n Syri"nus/ Commentary they !"n in ee be !l"i&e "s provi ing the first signs of this influen!e' #hese signs &"y be foun in the re&"r1"ble theory of the history of philosophy presente in <iero!les/ ;or1 On Pro*idence "n in the use &" e of Pyth"gore"nis& in <iero!les/ Commentary on the 3pseu o6Pyth"gore"n4 Golden Verses'

2' <iero!les on the <istory of Philosophy

#he interest of <iero!les/ vie;s on the history of philosophy in On Pro*idence h"s re!ently been e&ph"si?e "n their I"&bli!he"n origin e&onstr"te ' .

I' <" ot 319984, :969:, "n 319994, ;ho h"s effe!tively isprove Pr"e!hter/s theory th"t <iero!les represents " /pri&itive/ *le8"n ri"n 3i'e' pre6Plotini"n4 )hristi"n6type philosophy, " theory re!ently " opte by Dobus!h 3199:4, on ;ho& !f' B"ltes 31998a4'

#here "re so&e "spe!ts, ho;ever, ;hi!h &"y be

en p'111

e8plore further in the light of ;h"t h"s e&erge in P"rt I !on!erning I"&bli!hus/ tre"tise On Pythagoreanism' <iero!les/ ;or1 On Pro*idence survives in the for& of " t;o6p"rt pr;cis given by the P"tri"r!h Photius in his 5i-liotheca 3cod3 21-, 2.14' Photius e&ph"si?es in his "!!ount <iero!les/ esire to sho; " h"r&ony bet;een the vie;s of Pl"to "n *ristotle on the subGe!ts of provi en!e, f"te, "n free ;ill' #h"t the i&pression !onveye by Photius here is unb"l"n!e !"n be seen fro& his o;n in i!"tions "bout the !ontents of On Pro*idence 3cod3 21-, 193 "4, "!!or ing to ;hi!h the is!ussion of *ristotle ;"s " subor in"te p"rt of " &u!h l"rger s!he&e' /
/

#he point is &" e by 7lter 319104, 18063, 198'

%nly "fter h"ving presente "n efen e Pl"to/s vie;s "n h"ving sho;n their h"r&ony ;ith the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/, %rpheus, <o&er, /"n "ll those others ;ho istinguishe the&selves before Pl"to/s epiph"ny 3 ZN U NQ4/, oes <iero!les !o&e to " survey of *ristotle/s vie;s' )ert"in thin1ers, through !ontentiousness or ignor"n!e, ;e "re tol , "tte&pte to intro u!e ish"r&ony bet;een the vie;s of *ristotle "n Pl"to, but the h"r&ony ;"s restore by Plotinus/ te"!her *&&onius S"!!"s, ;ho purifie philosophy "n ;hose le" ;"s follo;e by " !ontinuous su!!ession of philosophers going fro& Plotinus through Porphyry "n I"&bli!hus to <iero!les/ &"ster, Plut"r!h of *thens' $0
$0

Photius, 5i-l3 III 12.630, 191 b6193 ", ;ith I' <" ot, lo!' !it'

If ;e !o&p"re this "!!ount ;ith the history of philosophy "s un erstoo by I"&bli!hus, the follo;ing ifferen!es &ight be note ' 7ven if "llo;"n!e is &" e for the un ue e&ph"sis Photius gives to the the&e of the h"r&ony bet;een Pl"to "n *ristotle, it "ppe"rs th"t <iero!les/ tre"t&ent of this the&e iverges fro& th"t in I"&bli!hus' <iero!les oes not see& to "gree ;ith the I"&bli!he"n vie; th"t *ristotle ;"s so&eti&es right 3;hen he ;"s f"ithful to Pyth"gore"n6 Pl"toni! philosophy4 "n so&eti&es ;rong 3;hen he perverte the truth, pri&"rily "s reg"r s tr"ns!en ent being4' <iero!les believes r"ther th"t l"ter thin1ers f"lsifie Pl"to/s "n *ristotle/s ;or1s so "s to bring *ristotle into is"gree&ent ;ith Pl"to' $$
$$

Photius, 5i-l3 (II 191, -:1 "'

<iero!les therefore shifts the bl"&e for *ristotle/s ifferen!es ;ith Pl"to fro& *ristotle hi&self to l"ter thin1ers' #he theory of f"lsifi!"tion 3;hi!h ;e h"ve "lre" y &et "bove 3p' 114 in !onne!tion ;ith the protest th"t so&e "tte&pte to is!re it Pyth"gore"nis& by f"lsifying /Pyth"gore"n/ ;ritings4 i&plies " &ore positive vie; of *ristotle th"n th"t t"1en by I"&bli!hus' Iet the

en p'112

%ind of h"r&ony th"t <iero!les see1s to pro&ote is not essenti"lly ifferent th"n th"t "ssu&e by I"&bli!hus2 if *ristotle is brought into "gree&ent ;ith Pl"to, it is of !ourse on Pl"toni! ter&s' $%
$%

)f' "lso belo;, pp' 1206- 3on Syri"nus/ h"r&oni?"tion of Pl"to "n *ristotle4'

#he role given to Plotinus/ te"!her *&&onius is "nother novel ele&ent in <iero!les/ "!!ount' *&&onius e&erges "s h"ving "!!o&plishe ;h"t h" been essenti"lly Nu&enius/ &ission2 the restor"l of un"ni&ity 3 TVMVW Q4 to Pl"tonis& through the purifi!"tion of " !ontentious "n egr" e tr" ition' $&
$&

)f' "lso Photius, 5i-l3 (II 191, -:1 "2 OPQO QOPVU P U NYVOV QU ZQ QM Mcb '

It loo1s "s if " ire!t rebutt"l of Nu&enius/ pretensions is inten e F his &ission is t"1en over "n , in being "ttribute to *&&onius, is pl"!e fir&ly in the tr" ition going fro& Plotinus, through Porphyry "n I"&bli!hus, to Plut"r!h' #here is no tr"!e of this to be foun in ;h"t survives of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1, but his hostility 3"n ebt4 to Nu&enius ;oul !ert"inly h"ve ispose hi& to t"1e su!h " position' <o;ever, "nother sour!e h"s been propose both for this tre"t&ent of *&&onius "n for the the&e of the h"r&ony bet;een Pl"to "n *ristotle2 Porphyry' $'
$'

)f' +Jrrie 319..4, 3-369F I' <" ot 319984, 9.'

0h"tever the origin of these novel "spe!ts in <iero!les, it is !le"r th"t he 3or his i&&e i"te sour!e4 &" e the& p"rt of " bro" er !onspe!tus of the history of philosophy th"t re!"lls &ost of "ll I"&bli!hus/ vie;s' $(
$(

)f' I' <" ot 319984, :969:'

#he rigorous re u!tion of "ll ,ree1 philosophy to one true philosophy 3Pl"tonis&4 "n the perversions thereof is I"&bli!he"n in spirit, "s is the insisten!e on " syste&"ti! h"r&oni?"tion of Pl"tonis& ;ith "n!ient ,ree1 "n b"rb"ri"n ;is o& 3su!h "s the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/4' Further&ore <iero!les/ interpret"tion of true philosophy "s " revel"tion is "lso th"t of I"&bli!hus2 Pl"to intervenes in hu&"n history "s "n /epiph"ny/, "n *&&onius, the purifier of philosophy, is instru!te by the ivine 3^ VM MQbPVR4' $)
$)

Photius, 5i-l' III 12:, 192 "F (II 191, -:1 "'

Is this revel"tion to be un erstoo , "s it is in I"&bli!hus, "s " soteriologi!"l &ission un ert"1en by !ert"in superior souls ;ho "re interprete "s &e&bers of the ivine retinue, or /!hoir/, of Pl"to/s Phaedrus> Photius/ pr;cis is of little help here, "lthough he oes give so&e in i!"tions th"t this ;"s in ee <iero!les/ vie;' $*
$*

)f' Photius, 5i-l' III 12:, 192 " 32 dV 3!f' Phaedr' 2-9 e4'

R 3!f' Phaedr' 2.0 b !4F (II 191, -:1 " 332 U^V[ON OQR

<o;ever, the Commentary on the Golden Verses &"1es it very !le"r, "s ;ill be seen shortly, th"t <iero!les/ un erst"n ing of the revel"tory n"ture of philosophy ;"s I"&bli!he"n'
en p'113

#here is one singul"r "bsen!e in the history of philosophy of <iero!les/ On Pro*idence "s reporte by Photius2 Pyth"gor"s' %ne &ight infer fro& Photius/ silen!e th"t Pyth"gor"s ;"s "t &ost of se!on "ry i&port"n!e to <iero!les' It !oul "lso be "rgue th"t Pyth"gor"s is the vi!ti& of " serious o&ission in Photius/ su&&"ry, surviving only in the rushe "n gener"li?e "llusion in the phr"se 3Buote "bove42 /"n "ll those others ;ho istinguishe the&selves before Pl"to/s epiph"ny/' )ert"inly <iero!les/ only surviving ;or1, the Commentary on the Golden Verses, "rgues strongly for the i&port"n!e of Pyth"gor"s, "n the evi en!e of the Commentary is ;eightier th"n ;h"t !onGe!tur"l inferen!es &"y be r";n fro& the P"tri"r!h/s report'

3' Pyth"gore"nis& in <iero!les/ )o&&ent"ry on the ,ol en (erses

#he Pyth"gore"n Golden Verses "re use by I"&bli!hus in the intro u!tory p"rt of On Pythagoreanism 3Protrepticus, !h' 34' Still "v"il"ble "lso "re *r"bi! versions of t;o !o&&ent"ries on the Golden Verses, one "ttribute to I"&bli!hus, the other to Pro!lus' *lthough there "re goo re"sons for supposing th"t the *r"bi! te8ts erive fro& ,ree1 Neopl"toni! origin"ls, the "ttributions to I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus present so&e proble&s' I propose therefore to is!uss the *r"bi! te8ts in *ppen i8 II belo;, tre"ting the& "s provi ing further in i!"tions of Pyth"gore"ni?ing ten en!ies in Neopl"toni! philosophy r"ther th"n "s o!u&ents on the b"sis of ;hi!h the history of su!h ten en!ies &"y be evelope ' *t "ny r"te the t;o *r"bi! te8ts, li1e I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, use the Golden Verses "s "n intro u!tory ;or1, provi ing the beginner ;ith " pri&"rily ethi!"l initi"tion to philosophy' #he fullest e8t"nt version of su!h " use of the Golden Verses, ho;ever, is <iero!les/ Commentary' <iero!les &"1es his intentions very !le"r in the prologue of his Commentary' #he Golden Verses, he !l"i&s, !ont"in the gener"l "n b"si! prin!iples of "ll philosophy2 they put the beginner in philosophy on the ro" to his go"l, "ssi&il"tion to go , through the !ultiv"tion of virtue "n truthF this they "!hieve in so f"r "s they provi e the rules "n st"rting6points ne!ess"ry for &oving to;"r s the go"l 3., 16:, 24' Su!h is the ;or1 to ;hi!h <iero!les ;ill put the Golden Verses in his Commentary' #he Commentary is thus inten e to provi e "n ele&ent"ry initi"tion to philosophy b"se on Pyth"gore"n prin!iples "n
en p'11-

"i&ing beyon itself to;"r s " Pyth"gore"n go"l 3!f' 9, 196184, "ssi&il"tion to go ' $.

$.

)f' "lso I' <" ot 319984, 1:26-'

#he Commentary is pit!he therefore "t the s"&e level "n h"s the s"&e purpose "s the first t;o boo1s of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism' 5i8ing Pyth"gore"n o!trines ;ith &or"l pl"titu es r";n fro& other sour!es, the Commentary "lso e8hibits the e!le!ti! "ppro"!h !h"r"!teristi! of I"&bli!hus/ /Pyth"gore"n/ intro u!tion to philosophy' 5ore et"ile !o&p"risons ;ill be &" e bet;een <iero!les "n I"&bli!hus belo; in the !ourse of revie;ing so&e spe!ifi! "spe!ts of <iero!les/ "ppro"!h in his Commentary' $/
$/

For supple&ents to the in" eBu"te apparatus fontium in DJhler/s e ition of <iero!les !f' Dobus!h 3199:4, S!h;y?er 319984'

*s !o&p"re to the i&pression th"t is !onveye by Photius/ su&&"ry of On Pro*idence, the prologue of the Commentary sho;s th"t <iero!les here sees Pyth"gore"nis& "s e&br"!ing the b"si! truths of "ll philosophy, in!lu ing by i&pli!"tion th"t of Pl"to' #he rel"tion bet;een Pl"to "n Pyth"gor"s is &" e e8pli!it l"ter in the Commentary 3111, 1361-4, ;here Pl"to "ppe"rs "s the interpreter in the Phaedrus 32-: "4 of Pyth"gore"n o!trine "n ;here Pl"to/s person"ge #i&"eus 3!f' !im' -- ! 14 is es!ribe "s "n /"!!ur"te te"!her of Pyth"gore"n o!trines/ 3:, 162F !f' .3, 14' 7&pe o!les is "lso !h"r"!teri?e "s " Pyth"gore"n, "s he h" been by I"&bli!hus' %0
%0

98, 10F !f' I"&bli!hus, Vit3 Pyth' :0, 16:F Bur1ert 319924, 289 3e"rlier sour!es for this i e"4'

If then Pl"tonis& 3in ee "ll true philosophy4 is for <iero!les, "s ;ell "s for I"&bli!hus, to be foun "lre" y in Pyth"gore"nis&, this philosophy is itself to be seen "s ivine revel"tion' #r"!es of this i e" h"ve been note "bove "s o!!urring in Photius/ su&&"ries' #he Commentary on the Golden Verses is &u!h &ore infor&"tive on the &"tter "n !onfir&s th"t <iero!les un erstoo this revel"tory "spe!t of philosophy, "s i I"&bli!hus, in !onne!tion ;ith "n interpret"tion of Pl"to/s Phaedrus' In !h' - of the Commentary <iero!les e8pl"ins the Pyth"gore"n notion of / e&oni!/ &en2 these "re &en e8!elling in virtue "n ;is o& ;ho "re / e&oni!/ be!"use of their free o& fro& subGe!tion to the bo y' Su!h &en "re to be honoure , for they /r"n1/ 3O[UP PQ\T UV[R, 21, 214 ;ith ivine beings "n "re !"rrie "roun ;ith the ivine !hoir 3P ^ dV O[T T UVR, 22, 14' #he !onne!tion bet;een this i&"gery, t"1en fro& the Phaedrus, "n the origins of philosophy e&erges in the follo;ing lines' #hese e&oni!
en p'11.

&en, of superior "n un!orrupte insight, "re s"i to h"ve left us, in ivine6li1e generosity, !o&&"n s, e8hort"tions 3ZQ Q\\ YTQPQ4, pres!riptive ;ritings !ont"ining the ele&ents of virtue "n the prin!iples of truth 322, 36114' #he Golden Verses "re obviously one of those ;ritings "n "re es!ribe l"ter 3122, 16.4 "s "n /e u!"tion"l intro u!tion/ 3ZQNM [PNb OPVNd cONR4 left to us "n ;ritten by &en ;ho h" "lre" y /"s!en e the ivine ;"y/' It oes not see& th"t the Golden Verses "re the only sour!e of philosophi!"l ;is o& !onferre on us for our benefit by those &en of superior insight, those p"rti!ip"nts in the vision of the

Phaedrus' *n it is li1ely th"t their !o&p"ny in!lu es, not only Pyth"gor"s, but "lso Pl"to' %$
%$

If -0, 1.619 3/ ivine &en/4 "llu es to the Phaedo "n `or Phaedrus' %n / e&oni!/ &en in <iero!les !f' "lso *uGoul"t 3198:4, 18168'

<iero!les/ notion th"t the Golden Verses "n other /Pyth"gore"n/ ;ritings "re !o&&"n s or e8hort"tions 3ZQ Q\\ YTQPQ4, !ont"ining b"si! rules "n st"rting6 points in philosophy 3bQU U R, V TQ 4 !onferre on &en for their e ifi!"tion by superior souls, is "n i&port"nt the&e in the first t;o boo1s of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism' Pyth"gor"s is represente in the first boo1 "s instru!ting his follo;ers ;ith e8hort"tions 3ZQ Q\\ YTQPQ4 !on!erning frien ship 3Vita Pyth' 123, 29 ff'4' )h' 3 of the follo;ing boo1, the Protrepticus, is evote to the e8egesis of &or"l "phoris&s 3\U TQN4 !ont"ine in the Golden Verses, "n e8!erpts fro& Pl"to "re presente in !h' . "s Pyth"gore"n &or"l e8hort"tions 3ZQ QbY O NR4' <o;ever there "re signifi!"nt ifferen!es bet;een the e8egesis of the Golden Verses in I"&bli!hus/ Protrepticus !h' 3 "n th"t in <iero!les/ Commentary' I"&bli!hus/ !h"pter on the Golden Verses %%
%%

#hey "re "lso use in Vit3 Pyth3 81, 3 ff'

is " s&"ll portion of " survey th"t in!lu es " very ;i e r"nge of suppose ly Pyth"gore"n "n " &itte ly non6Pyth"gore"n &"teri"ls' <en!e he in!lu es only " sele!tion fro& the Golden Verses, "n interpret"tion is 1ept to " b"re &or"li?ing &ini&u&' %n the other h"n <iero!les/ use of the Golden Verses "s the te8t of his Commentary is &ore e8tensive "n his e8egesis &u!h &ore evelope ' %&
%&

*t 89, 19620 <iero!les "lso !ites the Sacred "iscourse "ttribute to Pyth"gor"s "n , "t 11-, 1ff', the Pyth"gore"n O TXVYQ e8pl"ine by I"&bli!hus in Pr' 123, 3 ff' )f' Dobus!h 3199:4, 1:368, for <iero!les/ use of other Pyth"gore"n &"teri"ls'

#hese ifferen!es &"y help e8pl"in ;hy <iero!les oes not see& to h"ve use Protrepticus !h' 3 "s " sour!e for his e8egesis, espite verb"l p"r"llels "n si&il"rities in the gener"l ten en!y of interpret"tion' %'
%'

e'g', !o&p"re Pr3 11, 1-612, 3 ;ith <iero!les, Comm' 9-, 2612'
en p'11:

If in ee <iero!les is epen ent on " sour!eE"n su!h is the philosophi!"l syste& presuppose by <iero!les th"t it oes not pre6 "te I"&bli!hus %(
%(

)f' I' <" ot 319984, 91, 9369, 99610:, 1096110, 112613'

Eit ;"s in "ll li1elihoo &ore e8tensive th"n Protrepticus !h' 3' %)
%)

@ero&e 3 p3 ad*3 'uf3 108, !h' 39, 296314 refers to "n other;ise un1no;n Commentary on the Golden Verses by I"&bli!hus2 !oul this be <iero!les/ sour!e> For the rel"tion bet;een <iero!les "n the *r"bi! !o&&ent"ries on the Golden Verses, !f' belo;, *ppen i8 II'

<iero!les un erst"n s /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy &u!h "s i Ni!o&"!hus "n I"&bli!hus, "s " 3Pl"toni!4 flight fro& &"teri"l re"lity "n "ssi&il"tion to go ' <e "lso sh"res their vie; "s to the role of &"the&"ti!s in this flight2 &"the&"ti!s "!ts "s "n inter&e i"ry, purifying the soul for the higher vision 311:, 20694' *s is "ppropri"te for the level "n "ppro"!h of his ;or1, he oes not intro u!e &u!h in the ;"y of &"the&"ti!"l theory' <o;ever ;hen the e8egesis of the Golden

Verses involves e8pl"ining the Pyth"gore"n !on!ept of the /tetr"!tys/ 389, 19 ff'4, <iero!les e&b"r1s on " nu&erologi!"l isBuisition on the &"the&"ti!"l "n e8tr"6&"the&"ti!"l !h"r"!teristi!s 3 MN TQPQ4 of the tetr" su!h "s !"n be foun in Ni!o&"!hus, *n"tolius, "n other nu&erologi!"l sour!es' %*
%*

)f' Dobus!h 3199:4, 188691F *uGoul"t 3198:4, 122638F "n espe!i"lly I' <" ot 319994, ;ho provi es e8tensive referen!es'

Before oing this, ho;ever, <iero!les refers to the Sacred "iscourse "ttribute to Pyth"gor"s ;hi!h he reports "s pr"ising the e&iurge go "s the /nu&ber of nu&bers/ 389, 20614' * brief interpret"tion is provi e 2 sin!e the e&iurge go &" e "ll things, #he nu&ber in the for& of e"!h thing is epen ent on the !"use in hi&, "n the first nu&ber is there K b_N , i'e' in go L, for it is fro& there th"t nu&ber !o&es here' 389, 216.4 #he p"ss"ge is too brief to "llo; us to !on!lu e, for e8"&ple, th"t the I"&bli!he"n i e" of /physi!"l nu&ber/ is i&plie ' But it !oul ;ell be !onsi ere "s yiel ing " brief gli&pse into the sort of interpret"tion I"&bli!hus &ight h"ve provi e for the Sacred "iscourse' 5"the&"ti!s is not the only inter&e i"ry for <iero!les in the "s!ent to go ' /<ier"ti!/ purifi!"tions "re reBuire by the /pneu&"ti! vehi!le/ of the soul 311:, 296 119, -4' #he referen!e, it h"s been note , is to the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/, ;hi!h "re Buote e"rlier in the s"&e !onne!tion' %.
%.

I' <" ot 319984, 91F !f' 111, 20 3C Or3 Chald' 1194F 112, 9 3C Or3 Chald' 1204'

#hus not only oes <iero!les "ppropri"te Pl"to for Pyth"gore"nis&, in this sense /h"r&oni?ing/ the& 3O T cUVR, 98,
en p'119

204, but Pyth"gore"nis& is "lso !o&bine ;ith the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/' *ll th"t is &issing for this I"&bli!he"n vie; of philosophy to be !o&plete is %rpheus, yet he "lso is present, i&pli!itly, "s the "llege revel"tory sour!e of the Pyth"gore"n Sacred "iscourse' %/
%/

)f' "bove, )h' - n' 13'

-' )on!lusion
<iero!les/ theories "bout provi en!e "n free ;ill, "bout the stru!ture of re"lity "n &"n/s rel"tion to it, eserve "n h"ve re!eive sep"r"te tre"t&ent' &0
&0

Dobus!h 3199:4F I' <" ot 319984F *uGoul"t 3198:4'

It h"s been the purpose of this !h"pter to sho; th"t <iero!les/ "ttitu e to the n"ture "n history of philosophy !"n be rel"te "t &"ny points to I"&bli!hus/ vie;s "n in p"rti!ul"r to his interpret"tion of Pyth"gore"n philosophy' #here

"ppe"r to be so&e ifferen!es on the subGe!t of *ristotle "n 3possibly4 of *&&onius' #here is "lso the !ontr"st bet;een the "bsen!e of Pyth"gor"s in Photius/ pr;cis of On Pro*idence "n the !entr"lity of Pyth"gore"nis& for philosophy in the Commentary on the Golden Verses' Iet ;e &"y here be the vi!ti& of Photius/ pro!e ures' +et"ile o!trin"l !o&p"risons bet;een the reports on On Pro*idence "n the Commentary o not suggest th"t <iero!les hel ivergent theories in these ;or1s' &$
&$

)f' espe!i"lly I' <" ot 319984, !h' ('

Both ;or1s presuppose "n I"&bli!he"n &i8ing of Pl"toni! 3or Pyth"gore"n4 philosophy ;ith b"rb"ri"n revel"tion' For both ;or1s philosophy is itself " revel"tion ;hi!h, "s Photius/ report see&s to suggest "n "s the Commentary e8pl"ins, is !o&&uni!"te to &"n for his benefit by souls less e&prisone by the bo y "n privy to the tr"ns!en ent vision of Pl"to/s Phaedrus' #he Commentary !orrespon s in f"!t in &"ny respe!tsEin intention, level, "ppro"!hEto the first boo1s of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism' If the Commentary, ho;ever, oes not epen on On Pythagoreanism "s its i&&e i"te sour!e, it re&"ins th"t I"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis& provi es " !onte8t for e8pl"ining ;hy " Neopl"toni! te"!her of the l"te fourth`e"rly fifth !entury ;oul !hoose, "s " ;"y of initi"ting beginners to philosophy, to !o&&ent on the Pyth"gore"n Golden Verses' *n , "s note "bove, <iero!les/ position on the n"ture "n history of philosophy in his Commentary represents the essenti"l points of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e'
en p'118

) Syri"nus
sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
*lthough <iero!les/ Commentary &"y be reg"r e "s "n e8"&ple of the influen!e of I"&bli!hus/ reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis& on the first &e&bers of the *theni"n s!hool, it is by no &e"ns the only or even the &ost i&port"nt evi en!e of this influen!e' * &ore signifi!"nt "n interesting !"se is provi e by the e8t"nt ;or1s of Syri"nus, pupil ;ith <iero!les of Plut"r!h, su!!essor to Plut"r!h "t *thens in -31`2, "n &u!h6" &ire te"!her of Pro!lus' #hree ;or1s of Syri"nus survive2 his Commentary on 7ermogenes 3" te8tboo1 on rhetori!4, his Commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics, "n his le!tures on Pl"to/s Phaedrus "s preserve in <er&i"s/ Commentary on the Phaedrus' I sh"ll is!uss the se!on "n thir of these ;or1s' +espite his i&port"n!e for Pro!lus, Syri"nus h"s not on the ;hole re!eive &u!h "ttention' $

Shepp"r h"s publishe re!ently 31980, 19824 et"ile "n useful stu ies' <o;ever Pr"e!hter 319324 re&"ins the best over"ll survey' )f' "lso S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 III 8l6liF I( 88i86888vii'

)ert"in preli&in"ry but b"si! proble&s !on!erning his ;or1 ;ill therefore reBuire !l"rifi!"tion, "t le"st to the e8tent th"t they h"ve be"ring on the /Pyth"gore"nis&/ of Syri"nus'

1' #he <istory of Philosophy in Syri"nus

Fro& " philosophi!"l point of vie; Syri"nus/ Commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics is oubtless his &ost pro&ising e8t"nt ;or1' Iet the b"si! intentions "n "ssu&ptions of the Commentary h"ve never been est"blishe ' Syri"nus see&s to h"ve so little to s"y "bout *ristotle/s &"ster6;or1, " ing so &u!h th"t see&s irrelev"nt, th"t his Commentary h"s l"rgely been ignore ' %
%

$e!ent e8!eptions "re Shepp"r 319824, (erbe1e 319814, 5" ig"n 3198:4F "ll t"1e Syri"nus/ Commentary seriously' Dre&er 319:14 h"s little to s"y spe!ifi!"lly "bout Syri"nus'

*s " !onseBuen!e su!h " preli&in"ry Buestion "s th"t !on!erning the in!o&plete st"te of the Commentary h"s s!"r!ely been " resse ' Iet "n "ns;er to this Buestion is reBuire if " better
en p'119

un erst"n ing of Syri"nus/ intentions in the Commentary is to be re"!he ' 0hy oes Syri"nus/ Commentary, "s ;e no; h"ve it, !over only Boo1s 5+ <+ M, "n N of *ristotle/s Metaphysics> +o ;e possess only the re&"ins of ;h"t ;"s on!e " &u!h l"rger !o&&ent"ry sp"nning the !o&plete te8t of the Metaphysics> %r i Syri"nus !hoose to !o&&ent only on Boo1s 5 < MN "n , if so, ;hy> #he proble& h"s not been e8"&ine sin!e it ;"s is!usse briefly by Pr"e!hter in " footnote in 1903' &
&

Pr"e!hter 319034, 2:0 n' 1'

In ;h"t follo;s the relev"nt intern"l "n e8tern"l evi en!e ;ill be !onsi ere ' *t the beginning of the e8t"nt Commentary Syri"nus su&&"ri?es the !ontents of Metaphysics A "n Q, but not in su!h " ;"y "s to in i!"te th"t he hi&self h" !o&&ente on these boo1s' Boo1 A is &entione "g"in "t 19., 116132 follo;ing the *ristoteli"n !o&&ent"tor *le8"n er of *phro isi"s, Syri"nus notes th"t *ristotle/s !riti!is& of Pl"to "n the Pyth"gore"ns in Boo1s MN o!!urs "lre" y in Boo1 A' Syri"nus/ referen!e suggests th"t he i not !o&&ent on Boo1 A' #he bul1 of the e8t"nt Commentary e"ls ;ith Metaphysics M "n N 3tre"te "s one4, i'e' ;ith *ristotle/s &"ssive pole&i! ;ith Pl"tonis& "n Pyth"gore"nis&2 Syri"nus "tte&pts in his Commentary to rebuff *ristotle/s !riti!is&s, point by point' In Metaphysics 5 *ristotle for&ul"te " series of pu??les or Buestions relev"nt to the s!ien!e of &et"physi!s 3/first philosophy/ or /theology/ "s he !"lls this s!ien!e4' For e"!h pu??le Syri"nus/ Commentary provi es the re" er ;ith

the right 3S4, i'e' Pl"toni!6Pyth"gore"n, "ns;er 3!f' 1, 2062, 34' Fin"lly *ristotle/s unpole&i!"l "n gener"l !h"r"!teri?"tion of &et"physi!s in Boo1 < "ppe"rs to h"ve been "!!ept"ble to Syri"nus, sin!e he !ontents hi&self ;ith " p"r"phr"se 3e8p"n e "t so&e points4, referring the re" er to *le8"n er of *phro isi"s/ !o&&ent"ry on the boo1 3!f' .-, 1161.4' #he surviving boo1s of Syri"nus/ Commentary therefore give the gener"l i&pression th"t for so&e p"rts of *ristotle/s Metaphysics *le8"n er/s *ristoteli"n !o&&ent"ry !oul serve, but for those p"rts ;here the issues ;ere un!le"r "n 3espe!i"lly4 ;here *ristotle "tt"!1e Pl"tonis&6Pyth"gore"nis& " et"ile !o&&ent"ry ;"s reBuire ' In other ;or s, for " Pl"tonist, " !o&plete ne; !o&&ent"ry on *ristotle/s Metaphysics is not nee e 2 for p"rts of the ;or1 *le8"n er/s !o&&ent"ry suffi!es' #he gener"l i&pression given by the surviving boo1s of Syri"nus/ Commentary !orrespon s e8"!tly to Syri"nus/ v"lu"tion of *ristotle in
en p'120

the i&port"nt prologue to his !o&&ent"ry on Boo1s MN 380, - ff'4' =i1e I"&bli!hus, Syri"nus "!!eptsEin ee " &iresE*ristotle/s te"!hing on logi!, ethi!s, "n physi!s 380, .694' <e is gr"teful "lso for "ll th"t *ristotle sho;s !on!erning ivine un!h"nging tr"ns!en ent re"lities in the Metaphysics' In "ll this *ristotle is truly " benef"!tor 3 \ P]R4 of &"n1in 380, 1061:4' <o;ever in "tt"!1ing Pl"tonis& "n Pyth"gore"nis& in so&e p"rts of the Metaphysics 3espe!i"lly in Boo1s MN4, *ristotle is gr"vely &isle "n &isle" ing' Su!h "tt"!1s, Syri"nus believes, &ust be sho;n to be ;orthless in or er th"t si&pler pupils &"y not be le "str"y "n !o&e to espise ivine re"lities "n ivine s!ien!e' '
'

80, 1:629F S"ffrey 31989-4 tr"nsl"tes "n

is!usses this p"ss"ge'

Syri"nus/ "ttitu e to *ristotle therefore !"lls for the sort of !o&&ent"ry on the Metaphysics th"t h"s in f"!t survive 2 " p"rti"l !o&&ent"ry in!lu ing in p"rti!ul"r the supple&ents "n !orre!tives reBuire to turn *ristotle/s ;or1 into "n "!!ept"ble tre"tise on Platonic &et"physi!s, the s!ien!e of true "n ivine beings' (
(

(erbe1e 319814 sho;s the Pl"toni! !h"r"!ter of Syri"nus/ un erst"n ing of &et"physi!sF !f' "lso %/5e"r" 3198:4'

If the intern"l evi en!e suggests th"t Syri"nus/ Commentary nee not h"ve !overe "ll p"rts of *ristotle/s Metaphysics, there is so&e e8tern"l evi en!e th"t ten s to sho; th"t the Commentary &"y h"ve been so&e;h"t &ore e8tensive th"n it is in its present for&' Pro!lus h" " pupil *&&onius ;ho t"ught in *le8"n ri" "n ;hose le!tures on the Metaphysics ;ere re!or e by " stu ent, *s!lepius' )
)

%n *&&onius "n *s!lepius, !f' #"rHn 319:94, 8F $i!h"r 319.04, 19263F Dre&er 319:14'

In the Commentary on the Metaphysics of *s!lepius, Syri"nus is !ite t;i!e' Neither for the first referen!e in *s!lepius 3-33, 961-4 nor for the se!on 3-.0, 226.4 !"n s"tisf"!tory p"r"llels be foun in the e8t"nt boo1s of Syri"nus/ Commentary' *

Pr"e!hter refers 3lo!' !it'4 for the first !it"tion to Syri"nus, In met3 12, 33 ff', for the se!on to Syri"nus 19, 20 3!f' "lso 82, 2611F but 10, 39611, 1 !ontr" i!ts *s!lepius/ report4'

In f"!t this is ;h"t one ;oul e8pe!t, sin!e both of *s!lepius/ referen!es re!or Syri"nus/ interpret"tion of specific p"ss"ges of Metaphysics =' *s!lepius, one &ust !on!lu e, see&s to h"ve been "!Bu"inte in so&e ;"y ;ith the p"rti!ul"rs of Syri"nus/ e8egesis of 3"t le"st4 p"rts of Metaphysics =' 0h"t is &ore, the first referen!e in *s!lepius !on!erns Syri"nus/ efen!e of Pl"to "g"inst *ristotle/s !riti!is&s in Metaphysics = 13Epre!isely the 1in of te8t th"t ;oul reBuire Syri"nus/ intervention' .
.

)f' "lso *s!lepius, In met3 -18, 1.6182 Pyth"gore"nis& efen e "g"inst *ristotleF Syri"nus is not n"&e , but the efen!e is very &u!h in his &"nner' )f' I' <" ot 31989-4, -'

In !o&&enting on
en p'121

Metaphysics A 3!h' 94, *s!lepius h" "lre" y reGe!te *ristotle/s !ritiBue of Pl"to 39., 19 ff'4 on essenti"lly the s"&e groun s "s those th"t h" been use in "nother, but si&il"r, !onte8t by Syri"nus 3111, 12 ff', on Met3 M -42 *ristotle/s /thir &"n/ "rgu&ent illegiti&"tely "ssu&es " si&il"rity 3*s!lepius4 or synony&ity 3Syri"nus4 bet;een For&s "n sensible obGetsF For&s of rel"tions "re not "bsur , "s *ristotle suggests, in those !"ses 3su!h "s physiologi!"l "n !os&i! org"ni?"tion4 ;here rel"tions "re of the essen!e 3V ON M]R4 of things' *s!lepius 3*&&onius4 &"y be epen ent here on Syri"nus or possibly on "n ulti&"te !o&&on sour!e, n"&ely I"&bli!hus, to ;ho& he refers shortly "fter;"r s' /
/

99, 9' <o;ever, it is not !le"r th"t I"&bli!hus ;rote " Commentary on the MetaphysicsF !f' "bove, )h' 3, n' :.'

If the rel"tion bet;een the !o&&ent"ries of Syri"nus "n *s!lepius re&"ins to be eter&ine , $0
$0

)f' Pr"e!hter 319034, 2:063 3in!on!lusive4F *s!lepius "t so&e points iffers fro& Syri"nus2 he so&eti&es "!!epts *ristotle/s istin!tion bet;een Pyth"gore"ns "n Pl"to "n ten s to reg"r *ristotle "s "tt"!1ing !ert"in Pl"tonists r"ther th"n Pl"to hi&self 3!f' Pr"e!hter, 2.94F this &ust be *&&onius/ "ppro"!h, fro& ;ho& *s!lepius presu&"bly h"s ;h"t he 1no;s "bout I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nusF !f' 5" ig"n 3198:4'

it !"n "t le"st be !on!lu e here th"t there "re in i!"tions in *s!lepius th"t Syri"nus !o&&ente on portions of Metaphysics = "n possibly of A' But here "g"in Syri"nus too1 the line th"t is i&plie in the e8t"nt boo1s of his Commentary, n"&ely re!tifi!"tion of *ristotle/s Metaphysics "t those points ;here it iverges fro& Pl"tonis& "n Pyth"gore"nis&' In !orre!ting the "berr"tions in *ristotle/s Metaphysics Syri"nus believe he ;"s re!on!iling it ;ith the /"n!ient/, /true/, "n /best/ of philosophies on ;hi!h *ristotle hi&self ;"s epen ent, the philosophy of Pyth"gor"s 381, 9611 "n 2.6314' *ristotle, ;e "re tol , o;e his boo1 On Generation and Corruption to the /Pyth"gore"n/ %!ellusF his physi!s in gener"l to Pl"to/s Pyth"gore"n, #i&"eusF his Categories to *r!hyt"s' $$
$$

19., 8611F 192, 1:621F !f' In 7ermog3 II .8, 236.'

Iet *ristotle so&eti&es se!e e fro& the "n!ient philosophy, p"rti!ul"rly in the Metaphysics 3In met3 10, 394, intro u!ing ish"r&ony 3P MN cUVU4 through "tte&pting, it see&s, to !o&bine philosophi! insight ;ith the re!eive opinions of /the &"ny/ 3:0, 296304' Pyth"gor"s h" &ore f"ithful " herents, /Pyth"gore"ns/ ;ho h" re!eive the o!trines of the / ivine/ Pyth"gor"s in the /pure boso& of their thought/, P"r&eni es, 7&pe o!les, "n espe!i"lly Pl"to' $%
$%

In met3 2:, 2162F :0, :69F 191, 961. 3P"r&eni esF !f' I"&bli!hus, Vit3 Pyth3 1--, 10F Bur1ert K1992L, 280 n' 132 Ni!o&"!hus4F 11, 3.6:F -3, 968 37&pe o!lesF !f' "bove, p' 11.4F 183, 163F 190, 3. 3Pl"toF Syri"nus reGe!ts *ristotle/s !l"i& th"t Pl"to "n the Pyth"gore"ns is"gree2 83, 1261-F 1::, 196184'

#o
en p'122

these ;e shoul " So!r"tesESyri"nus oes not "!!ept *ristotle/s istin!tions bet;een the i e"s of the Pyth"gore"ns, So!r"tes, "n Pl"to 310-, 9619 "n 336 10., 124E"n those ;ho l"ter /unfol e / the vision of the Pyth"gore"ns, Plotinus, Porphyry, "n I"&bli!hus 32:, 21634' Pyth"gore"n philosophy is lin1e up in turn ;ith the "n!ient /theologi"ns/, %rpheus, the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/, "n <o&er' $&
$&

182, 9628F 1-, 3.6: 3Or3 Chald3 108, 24F 89, 1:619 3Or3 Chald3 84F 12:, 2- 3!f' Or3 Chald3 39, 26 84F 192, 316193, 11'

In ee Syri"nus ;rote " ten6volu&e ;or1 3sin!e lost4 on /the h"r&ony 3O[T cU Q4 of %rpheus, Pyth"gor"s, "n Pl"to ;ith the %r"!les/, "n this is presu&"bly the "ppro"!h t"1en in the other ;or1s 3"lso lost4 he evote to <o&er' $'
$'

)f' Pr"e!hter 3192:4 "n espe!i"lly Shepp"r 319804'

In issenting fro& Pyth"gore"nis& *ristotle !ut hi&self off fro& the truth' #he ifferen!e bet;een *ristotle "n the true Pyth"gore"ns is "lso e8presse in Syri"nus "s " istin!tion bet;een their / ivine/ "n his 3&erelyS4 / e&oni!/ n"ture' $(
$(

In met3 :, :69F 10, 32F 11., 236.F !f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I 1-1 n' .'

Shoul this istin!tion be un erstoo in the light of Pl"to/s Phaedrus "n its epi!tion of souls Goine to " ivine vision "n souls f"llen fro& this vision> *n e8tr"or in"ry p"ss"ge in Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics points in this ire!tion2 #hose ivine &en s"y th"t go is /one/ "s the !"use of unity for "ll ' ' ' ;here"s this e&oni! &"n , t"1ing the s&"llest Bu"ntity "n th"t ;hi!h through s&"llness "ppe"rs the !o&&on &e"sure of ho&ogeneous things, insists th"t there is no &e"sure, nor /one/, th"t is not foun in " substr"te' *n it is obvious ho; fro& the first !"use of beings, or fro& its !ogn"te &on" , the "!!ount f"lls 3bQPQZ O U Y \VR4 ' ' ' slipping fro& the in!orpore"l re"l& of subst"n!es "n fro& the en!os&i! level, "n , brought o;n to the lo;est egree of !orpore"l things, is thro;n upsi e o;n, $)

$)

ZPNVRF !f' Pl"to !im3 -3 e "n Pro!lus, In !im3 III 3-3, 18 ff'

busying itself ;ith the s&"llest ' ' ' of &"sses' $*

$*

1:8, 261-F !f' (in!ent 319914, 219620, "n her !o&&ents, 22063'

7lse;here in the Commentary Syri"nus oes not f"il to lin1 e!line "n f"ll in philosophi!"l insight ;ith the &yth of the Phaedrus 382, 1.620F 83, 9611F 10:, 36 .4' But " &u!h fuller tre"t&ent of the !onne!tion
en p'123

bet;een the the&e of true "n egr" e philosophy "n interpret"tion of the Phaedrus !"n be foun in Syri"nus/ e8egesis of the Phaedrus "s preserve in <er&i"s/ Commentary on the i"logue'

2' Philosophy "s $evel"tion in <er&i"s/ )o&&ent"ry on the Ph"e rus

It is gener"lly "gree th"t <er&i"s/ Commentary on the Phaedrus !onsists of notes b"se on the le!tures 3th"t he "tten e in !o&p"ny ;ith Pro!lus4 of Syri"nus on the Phaedrus' <er&i"s reports, for e8"&ple, " pu??le put by /&y !onfrgre Pro!lus/ "n /the 5"ster/s/ response, "n there "re tr"!es else;here in the Commentary of !l"ssroo& is!ussion' $.
$.

92, : ff'F 1.-, 19623 "n 28630F !f' Pr"e!hter 319134, 933F Biel&eier 319304, 3162F S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I( 888i6888ii'

It h"s "lso been suggeste th"t <er&i"s " e to his notes &"teri"l he too1 fro& I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the Phaedrus' $/
$/

Biel&eier 319304, 336.F his position, to ;hi!h he oes not !o&&it hi&self, h"s not gener"lly been "!!epte F !f' Shepp"r 319804, 20 n' 8'

If this ;ere the !"se, ;e ;oul not be Gustifie in using <er&i"s simply "s evi en!e for Syri"nus/ vie;s' #he theory th"t <er&i"s supple&ente Syri"nus/ le!tures ;ith I"&bli!he"n &"teri"l is b"se on the iversity "n so&eti&es "pp"rently !ontr" i!tory ten en!ies of the e8egeses th"t <er&i"s provi es for p"rti!ul"r p"ss"ges in Pl"to' <o;ever the iversity "n "pp"rent is"gree&ent in e8egeses in so&e inst"n!es h"ve to o ;ith the f"!t th"t they represent ifferent %inds of interpret"tion, "n "re thus Buite !o&p"tible in " Neopl"toni! vie; of things' %0
%0

)f' Pr"e!hter 319324, 19--' #hus the interpret"tions of Phaedrus 229 b in <er&i"s 28, 13 ff' "n 29, 11 ff', represent ethi!"l, theologi!"l, "n "n"gogi!"l e8egeses' For ifferent 1in s of interpret"tion !f' <er&i"s, 1., 13 ff'F .-, 19 ff' #he e8egeses "t 39, 10623, "re perfe!tly !o&p"tible'

*n it is possible th"t is"greeing interpret"tions &ight h"ve been presente , "s "ltern"tives, by Syri"nus hi&self' %$

%$

)f' 21., 9 ff'2 I"&bli!hus/ interpret"tion is /!ite /, perh"ps by Syri"nus hi&self' #here is no !ontr" i!tion bet;een the e8egeses "t 1-., 2 ff' "n 10 ff'2 they h"ve to o ;ith ifferent Pl"toni! te8ts'

* &etho for testing the theory th"t <er&i"s/ Commentary is " !o&posite of I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus ;oul !onsist in e8"&ining the ;"ys in ;hi!h <er&i"s !ites I"&bli!hus' Is he !ite "t first h"n , "s " ition"l &"teri"l, or is he reporte "s "n integr"l p"rt of " le!ture> 5ost of <er&i"s/ referen!es to I"&bli!hus "re si&ple o8ogr"phi!"l
en p'12-

reports th"t re" &ore li1e p"rts of " post6I"&bli!he"n e8egesis th"n "s supple&ents !opie ire!tly fro& I"&bli!hus' %%
%%

)f' 9, 10 3;hi!h Biel&eier, 31, reg"r s "s p"rt of "n /Unterri!htseinheit/4F :8, 2:F 200, 29F note espe!i"lly the l"ngu"ge "t 113, 2. "n 21., 12 ff'

%ne te8t is p"rti!ul"rly reve"ling2 the opinion of the / ivine/ I"&bli!hus is !ontr"ste ;ith /our/ interpret"tion ;hi!h follo;s &ore !losely Pl"to "n the /theologi"ns/ 313:, 1962:42 Syri"nus, it see&s, is spe"1ing, noting I"&bli!hus/ position "n t"1ing the liberty of is"greeing' In "nother p"ss"ge 31.0, 2-61.1, 34, <er&i"s reports " efen!e of I"&bli!hus/ position "g"inst "n obGe!tionF the efen er of I"&bli!hus in "ll li1elihoo is Syri"nus' I !on!lu e therefore th"t <er&i"s/ ;"y of referring to I"&bli!hus oes not support the i e" th"t he inserte I"&bli!he"n &"teri"ls in Syri"nus/ le!ture notes' %&
%&

#he Buot"tion "t 1-3, 2-, is too brief to prove the !ontr"ry'

It see&s r"ther th"t in the !ourse of e8pl"ining the Phaedrus Syri"nus too1 "!!ount of I"&bli!hus/ vie;s, efen e the& ;hen "ppropri"te "n even "t ti&es is"gree ' *t "ny r"te the groun s "g"inst re" ing <er&i"s/ Commentary "s b"se si&ply on Syri"nus/ le!tures "re in" eBu"te' But ;h"t then of Syri"nus/ vie;s, "s reporte by <er&i"s, on the rel"tion bet;een philosophy, its history, "n the Phaedrus> #he t;o "!tors of Pl"to/s i"logue, So!r"tes "n Ph"e rus, e&bo y the "ns;er' #he Phaedrus e8e&plifies the &ission of " superior soul sent o;n to s"ve f"llen souls, to re!"ll the& through philosophy to higher re"lities2 So!r"tes h"s been sent o;n 3bQP Z T ^]4 to the ;orl of be!o&ing to benefit 3 Z \ O 4 &"n1in "n the souls of the young' Sin!e souls iffer gre"tly in !h"r"!ter "n pr"!ti!es, he benefits e"!h in " ifferent ;"y, the young, the sophists ' ' ' turning the& to philosophy' 31, 16.4 So!r"tes thus provi es " protrepti! to philosophy t"ilore to the p"rti!ul"r !h"r"!ter "n nee s of the soul to be s"ve , in this !"se Ph"e rus/' #his pr"!ti!e of ;or1ing on e"!h soul in "n "ppropri"te ;"y is !onne!te l"ter 32.9, 196234 ;ith the /Pyth"gore"ns/' But ;h"t is of &ore i&&e i"te !on!ern here is the ifferen!e bet;een the soul of So!r"tes "n th"t of Ph"e rus th"t "!!ounts for So!r"tes/ p"rti!ul"r soteriologi!"l fun!tion'

So!r"tes is referre to "s " /s"viour/ %'

%'

)f' .-, 3163F 33, 2F :-, 306:., 1F on the i e"li?e portr"it of So!r"tes in gener"l !f' Biel&eier 319304, :26.'

;ho see1s to bring b"!1 souls ;ho h"ve f"llen fro& the ivine !o&p"ny of the go s 3P] R O[TZ NZVY O cR Pc U ^_ U4, ;ho h"ve n"rro;e "n p"rti!ul"ri?e the&selves in the ;orl of be!o&ing, !utting the&selves off fro& the ;orl
en p'12.

"bove 3:3, 186234' So!r"tes is /sent o;n/Ehe h"s not /f"llen/E"n preserves int"!t his !lose rel"tion to the ivine vision of the go s of the Phaedrus' %(
%(

)f' 1-, 1.61:F 32, 236:2 this !"uses iffi!ulties l"ter sin!e Pl"to/s So!r"tes !onfesses to ;rong6 oing "n h"s to re!"ntF su!h efi!ien!ies in So!r"tes "re e8pl"ine ";"y "t 9-, 23633F 9:, 1.6 19'

<e is in f"!t the "gent "n instru&ent of " go , 7ros, ;ho is therefore the pri&"ry s"viour of souls 38, 869F -8, 1:6194' It is fro& 7ros th"t So!r"tes re!eives his eroti!, i'e' "n"gogi!, po;er 3., 286:, 24' So!r"tes is su!h " 1ey figure in this interpret"tion of the Phaedrus th"t <er&i"s/ Commentary is !hiefly !on!erne ;ith hi&' <is rel"tion to other philosophers re&"ins so&e;h"t in the b"!1groun ' <o;ever his /Pyth"gore"n/ pr"!ti!e of " "pting his instru!tion to the !h"r"!ter of his "u ien!e h"s "lre" y been note ' <e is "lso s"i to sh"re Pyth"gor"s/ "ttitu e to ;riting 3210, 2162F 2.8, 104 "n "t one point is interprete "s referring to the Pyth"gore"ns "s ;iser th"n he 32.2, 94' In ee So!r"tes, "!!or ing to <er&i"s, ;"s in the h"bit of giving !re it for his ;or1 to the go s "n to those &en ;ho "re /!o&p"nions of the go s/ 3 ZQMV R ^_c U UM QR42 *n in ee he thought it right to !"ll the ivine &en go s in the Sophist, for the ;ise "n ivine &en "re "s go s in rel"tion to &en' *n so he ;"s ;ont often to !re it his ;or1s to the ivine &en, in the Phaedrus to Pyth"gor"s, in the Charmides to j"l&o8is, " ;ise &"n, "n the story of *tl"ntis in the !imaeus to the 7gypti"ns' %)
%)

2.3, 1862. 3there is no referen!e to Pyth"gor"s in the Phaedrus, but the !onne!tion is "lre" y &" e in <iero!les, In carm3 aur3 111, 1361-, "bove, p' 11.4' #his p"ss"ge sho;s Syri"nus/ ten en!y not to istinguish bet;een the i e"s of So!r"tes "n of Pl"to'

So!r"tes is therefore " &e&berEin his o;n eyes " subor in"te &e&berEof " !o&p"ny of / ivine/ &en, p"rti!ip"nts ;ith hi& in the ivine vision of the Phaedrus, " !o&p"ny in!lu ing Pyth"gor"s "n , ;e &"y "ssu&e, Pl"to' *s for *ristotle, he is use in <er&i"s in " ;"y &"t!hing in its pr"!ti!e Syri"nus/ Gu ge&ent of *ristotle in the Commentary on the Metaphysics2 <er&i"s resorts to *ristotle espe!i"lly ;hen it !o&es to e"ling ;ith proble&s in logi! "n physi!s "n ;hen syllogisti! for&ul"tion for Pl"to/s te8t is esire ' %*
%*

)f' 10., 9 ff'F 11., -6:F 219, 2: ff'F 22., 2.6:' For *ristotle/s ebt in logi! to Pl"to, !f' .1, 326.2, 1' #here is " re&inis!en!e of Met3 A 1 in 2-9, 3062-8, 1'

%n the &ove&ent of the soul there is no is"gree&ent 3V M MNQncUV[ ONU4, it is !l"i&e , bet;een *ristotle "n Pl"to 310-, 186224' In the Phaedrus So!r"tes "ppro"!hes philosophy "s one of the for&s of ivinely6 inspire &" ness th"t h"ve &u!h benefite &"n1in '

en p'12:

Poetry is "nother for& of su!h &" ness 32-. "4' #here is therefore goo "uthority 3or prete8t4 for the freBuent re!ourse in <er&i"s to the ivinely inspire 3 U^V[ONc UP_R4 poets, <o&er "n %rpheus, p"rti!ul"rly in &"tters rel"ting to theology' %.
%.

)f' 122, 2062 3P"r&eni es is "lso n"&e 4F 1-9, 162F 88, 2.633F 138, 1:619F 1-2, 10618F 1-9, 19622F 1-8, 2161-9, -F 1.-, 19621 "n 2369F 139, 236138, 10F 1-9, 2261-8, 2 3the blin ness of <o&er !re"tes e8egeti!"l proble&s ho;everSF !f' 9-, 9 ff'F Biel&eier K1930L, :.6:4'

Proof te8ts for theology "re "lso foun in the )h"l "e"n %r"!les, %/
%/

)f' 110, . 3Or3 Chald3 19-4F 1.9, 19 3Or3 Chald3 234F 18-, 21 3Or3 Chald3 .3, 24F 130, 28 3Or3 Chald3 10-, not note in es Pl"!es/s e ition4'

"n throughout the Commentary e&ph"sis is pl"!e on the "gree&ent bet;een theologi"ns, poets, "n philosophers' &0
&0

139, 236138, 10F 1-:, 2.61-9, : 3" istin!tion bet;een ivine "n hu&"n poets s"ves <o&er "n %rpheus fro& Pl"to/s !riti!is&4F 1-8, 26- "n 19619'

In short ;e &"y !on!lu e th"t the un erst"n ing in <er&i"s/ Commentary of the n"ture of philosophy, its history "n rel"tion to other for&s of ;is o&, is the s"&e "s th"t foun in Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics' #here "re so&e ifferen!es in e&ph"sis, but this h"s to o ;ith ifferen!es in the te8ts being interprete ' So!r"tes is the 1ey figure in <er&i"s' Iet there "re in i!"tions of the subor in"tion to Pyth"gor"s th"t is so e&ph"ti! in the Commentary on the Metaphysics' #he positive "spe!t of Syri"nus/ ev"lu"tion of *ristotle is pre o&in"nt in <er&i"s' #he neg"tive "spe!tE*ristotle/s errors in &et"physi!s 3theology4Eis e!lipse 2 for theology in the Phaedrus higher "n &ore relev"nt "uthorities !oul be use , Pl"to hi&self, %rpheus, <o&er, ;here"s *ristotle/s Metaphysics is the pri&"ry theologi!"l te8t ;ith ;hi!h Syri"nus/ Commentary &ust !onten ' Fin"lly the gener"l position of Plotinus, Porphyry, "n I"&bli!hus "s the &ore re!ent heirs of the Pyth"gore"n tr" ition is less e8pli!it in <er&i"s, "lthough of !ourse these philosophers "re tre"te i&pli!itly "s &e&bers of it' Iet <er&i"s/ Commentary &"1es one signifi!"nt !ontribution to ;h"t is 1no;n of Syri"nus/ vie;s on philosophy in the Commentary on the Metaphysics2 it &"1es !le"r the revel"tory "n soteriologi!"l n"ture of philosophy "n the !onne!tion of this ;ith interpret"tion of the Phaedrus' #rue philosophers "re ivine6li1e souls ;ho h"ve not !ut the&selves off fro& p"rti!ip"tion in the vision of the he"venly retinue of the Phaedrus' #o this they o;e their superior ;is o&' By !o&&uni!"ting this ivine ;is o& to f"llen souls they help bring "bout the return of the l"tter to their i&&"teri"l origins' In this sense
en p'129

their philosophy is in ee the ivinely6inspire benefi!i"l &" ness th"t So!r"tes !l"i&s it to be in the Phaedrus'

It ;oul be so&e;h"t repetitious to revie; "ll of the points on ;hi!h Syri"nus/ un erst"n ing of the n"ture, fun!tion, "n history of philosophy "grees ;ith th"t of I"&bli!hus "s presente "bove in P"rt I' %ne possible ifferen!eEbut " ifferen!e !onsistent ;ith the gener"l s!he&eEis the i&port"n!e given to <o&er in Syri"nus' Iet this is h"r ly " ne) ele&ent, either in Syri"nus or in <iero!les in ;ho& ;e h"ve "lre" y foun it 3"bove, p' 1124' If <iero!les/ "ppro"!h to philosophy is "lso I"&bli!he"n in its gener"l !h"r"!ter, Syri"nus see&s to be !loser to I"&bli!hus th"n is <iero!les, "s reg"r s "t le"stE"n this is not uni&port"ntEthe ev"lu"tion of *ristotle' 7ven ;here Syri"nus h"s been foun 3"bove, p' 12.4 to is"gree ;ith I"&bli!hus, it is in " thoroughly I"&bli!he"n &"nner2 fi elity to Pl"to "n the /theologi"ns/ reBuires his issent' #his !"se of Syri"nus being &ore I"&bli!he"n th"n I"&bli!hus hi&self ;ill be is!usse in &ore et"il belo;' %ne !"n sho; ;ithout &u!h iffi!ulty ho; it ;"s possible for Syri"nus to !o&e so !lose to I"&bli!hus/ vie;s' tuite "p"rt fro& ;h"t he &"y h"ve le"rnt fro& Plut"r!h, he use I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on the Phaedrus "n on the !imaeus' &$
&$

Syri"nus/ referen!es to I"&bli!hus, in his le!tures on the Phaedrus 3"s reporte by <er&i"s4, in i!"te he is using I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the PhaedrusF Pro!lus/ Commentary on the !imaeus, ;hi!h refle!ts Syri"nus/ le!tures, suggests th"t Syri"nus referre to I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the !imaeus 3I"&bli!hus, In !im3 fr' 94'

<e !ert"inly e8ploite I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism "s " &"Gor sour!e6boo1 in his Commentary on the Metaphysics' *s this f"!t h"s not yet been " eBu"tely note , &%
&%

*lthough Pr"e!hter 319034, 2.968, h"s pointe it out "n !olle!te so&e of the &ore i&port"nt evi en!e'

it ;ill reBuire so&e "ttention here' It ;ill "lso provi e " st"rting6point fro& ;hi!h Syri"nus/ &et"physi!"l syste& &"y !onveniently be "ppro"!he '

3' 5"the&"ti!s "n Philosophy in Syri"nus/ )o&&ent"ry on the 5et"physi!s

3I4 Syri"nus/ )o&&ent"ry "n I"&bli!hus/ %n Pyth"gore"nis&
Syri"nus believes, "s ;e h"ve seen, th"t *ristotle/s Metaphysics !"n be use in Pl"toni!, i'e' /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy, if !ert"in i&port"nt
en p'128

" Gust&ents "n !orre!tions "re supplie ' #his ;ill ent"il re" ing the Metaphysics ;ith the help of gui elines 3th"t &ust be suffi!iently ifferenti"te "n !o&prehensive4 provi e by true /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy' It is in this spirit th"t he pref"!es his !o&&ent"ry on Boo1s MN ;ith " synopti! "!!ount of

/Pyth"gore"n/ &et"physi!s 381, 31683, 314' But ;here "re su!h gui elines to be foun > 0hen!e !"n su!h " synopti! "!!ount be erive > It h"s been sho;n "bove 3p' .04 th"t /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy for I"&bli!hus !onsists in the &"in of t;o p"rts, or st"ges, 314 &"the&"ti!s 3in!lu ing &"the&"ti!"l tr"nspositions in physi!s, ethi!s, "n theology4, "n 324 theology 3&et"physi!s, the ivine s!ien!e or s!ien!e of the go s4' %n the subGe!t of &"the&"ti!s, Syri"nus respon s "s follo;s to *ristotle/s !l"i& th"t &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts "re &ere "bstr"!tions fro& sensible obGe!ts2 But if one f"&ili"ri?es oneself ;ith the noblest Pyth"gore"n o!trines one ;ill !le"rly !o&prehen the being, po;er, "n "!tivity of "ll &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e' ' ' ' 3101, 2:694 0h"t follo;s for &ore th"n " p"ge 3101, 296102, 3.4 is " igest of the !h"pter he" ings of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III 3Comm3 3, 968, :4 in!lu ing v"ri"nts sho;ing th"t Syri"nus is ";"re of the !ontents of the !orrespon ing !h"pters' &&
&&

#his is sho;n by Pr"e!hter 3lo!' !it4'

On Pythagoreanism III ;"s therefore in Syri"nus/ opinion " b"si! te8t6boo1 in Pyth"gore"n general &"the&"ti!s' On Pythagoreanism III ;"s follo;e by boo1s on e"!h of the four &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es 3Boo1s I(, (III6f4' )orrespon ing to this Syri"nus ne8t suggests on the s"&e p"ge 3102, 3:684 th"t one le"rn the indi*idual e&onstr"tions in the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es fro& the /le" ers/ 3 \ T UcU4 in &"the&"ti!s, "n he borro;s the l"ngu"ge of Pl"to/s 'epu-lic .29 86e 2 3C I"&bli!hus Comm3 22, 20634 to e8press the intelle!tu"l regener"tion "n purifi!"tion th"t &"the&"ti!s !"n pro u!e' Fin"lly 3103, -6104 he refers, "s further re" ing, to /the !olle!tions of Pyth"gore"n o!trines of Ni!o&"!hus "n of the ivine I"&bli!hus/' 0e h"ve seen th"t I"&bli!hus 3On Pyth3 III4 is the te8t6boo1 Syri"nus uses for /gener"l/ &"the&"ti!s' I"&bli!hus 3On Pyth3 I(4 is "lso Syri"nus/ sour!e for /Pyth"gore"n/ "rith&eti!' &'
&'

1-2, 1.62. C I"&bli!hus, In Nic3 10, 1262-F !f' Syri"nus, In met3 123, :69F 1:., 1361- C I"&bli!hus, In Nic3 :, 2062F Syri"nus, In met3 1-0, 9610 C I"&bli!hus, In Nic3 11, 869'

#he loss of
en p'129

I"&bli!hus/ "!!ounts of the re&"ining three &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es 3 On Pyth3 (III6f4 &e"ns th"t ete!tion of their use in Syri"nus is not possible' <o;ever Syri"nus oes not in "ny !"se h"ve &u!h re!ourse to those s!ien!es in his Commentary' Syri"nus "lso re" "n use I"&bli!hus/ /"rith&eti!"l physi!s/ "n /"rith&eti!"l theology/ 3On Pythagoreanism ( "n (II4' In ee it is Syri"nus/ Buot"tion fro&

On Pythagoreanism ( "t 1-9, 28631, th"t !onfir&s the I"&bli!he"n origin of Psellus/ e8!erpts' 0h"t follo;s 31-9, 31 ff'4 &"y "lso be inspire by On Pythagoreanism (' *t 1-0, 1. Syri"nus refers us to On Pythagoreanism (II for the !le"rest "!!ount of the Pyth"gore"n istin!tion bet;een intelligible "n intelle!tu"l &on" s 31-0, 10613F !o&p"re I"&bli!hus, On Pyth3 (II, in Psellus, On th3 !heol3 arith3 926-4' #here "re " nu&ber of other p"ss"ges in Syri"nus ;hi!h re!"ll the "rith&eti!"l physi!s of On Pythagoreanism ( "n " s&"ller nu&ber of pl"!es 3!orrespon ing to the s&"ller "&ount of e8!erpts in Psellus4 ;hi!h &"y be !o&p"re to the "rith&eti!"l ethi!s "n theology of On Pythagoreanism (I6(II' &(
&(

)f' belo; *ppen i8 I' )o&p"re in p"rti!ul"r Syri"nus, In met3 190, 3063, ;ith Psellus, On Phys3 Num3 8611F Syri"nus, 188, 16- ;ith Psellus, On Phys3 Num3 -869' Syri"nus su&&"ri?es On Pyth3 I 3Vit3 Pyth3 :-, 1:6:., 1.4 in his In 7erm3 I 22, 3619'

If I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism 3in p"rti!ul"r Boo1s III, I(, (, (II4 ;"s Syri"nus/ sour!e for Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!s 3gener"l &"the&"ti!s, "rith&eti!, tr"nspositions of "rith&eti!4, for Pyth"gore"n theology he h" re!ourse to other sour!es besi es the theologi!"l foresh" o;ings of "rith&eti! set forth in On Pythagoreanism (II' In )h"pter - I h"ve "rgue th"t I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On God 3or On the Gods4 !o&plete the !urri!ulu& of Pyth"gore"n philosophy begun in On Pythagoreanism "n th"t it is li1ely th"t On 3the4 God3s4 in!lu e e8egesis of the Sacred "iscourse "ttribute to Pyth"gor"s' Syri"nus !ites the Sacred "iscourse " nu&ber of ti&es, on!e i&&e i"tely "fter referring to On Pythagoreanism (II 31-0, 1-6184Ethus pre!isely in the or er reBuire by I"&bli!hus/ !urri!ulu&E"n "g"in "t 10, .F 123, 2 "n 19., - ;here it is !o&p"re to the /theologies/ of Pl"to, %rpheus, "n P"r&eni es' &)
&)

)f' "lso In met3 192, 10613F 10:, 1- ff'

#hese p"ss"ges sho; th"t for Syri"nus the Sacred "iscourse ;"s " sour!e6 boo1 for /Pyth"gore"n theology/' <iero!les "lso use , "s ;e h"ve seen, the Sacred "iscourse "s " theologi!"l sour!e' Fro& these te8ts Syri"nus erive the interpret"tion of Pyth"gore"n philosophy in the light of ;hi!h he re" "n , ;hen ne!ess"ry, !orre!te *ristotle/s Metaphysics' If, "s I h"ve "rgue in )h"pter 3, I"&bli!hus h" in On Pythagoreanism (II is!usse "n respon e "t
en p'130

le"st in p"rt to *ristotle/s pole&i! ;ith Pl"tonis&6Pyth"gore"nis& in the Metaphysics, then he h" set the pre!e ent for Syri"nus/ Commentary' *s I"&bli!hus h" begun the !onstru!tion in On Pythagoreanism (II of " /Pyth"gore"n/ theology or &et"physi!s, in p"rt through re"!tion to the Metaphysics, so Syri"nus, in possession of su!h " theology, !oul respon "t gre"ter length "n in et"il to the *ristoteli"n te8t'

3II4 #he #rip"rtite Stru!ture of $e"lity in Syri"nus

*s note "bove, Syri"nus pref"!es his et"ile response to *ristotle/s "tt"!1 in Metaphysics MN on Pl"tonis&6Pyth"gore"nis& ;ith " synopsis of true, /Pyth"gore"n/ &et"physi!s 381, 31 ff'4, i'e' the Pyth"gore"n6Pl"toni! theory of For&s "n of nu&bers, ;hi!h he t"1es to be 3unGustly4 !riti!i?e by *ristotle' Syri"nus/ synopsis oes not therefore !over the full e8tent of the Pyth"gore"n stru!ture of re"lity' But it oes present " f"irly syste&"ti! fr"&e;or1 th"t !"n be fille out in &ore et"il "n e8ten e by referen!e to other p"rts of his Commentary' Pyth"gore"n re"lity, "!!or ing to Syri"nus, is "rr"nge in three &"in levels, the intelligible 3UV]P 4, the is!ursive 3MNQUV]P 4, "n the sensible 3Q O^]P 4' &*
&*

For this ivision in I"&bli!hus, !f' "bove, p' -- 3I"&bli!hus/ te8t is very prob"bly the sour!e of inspir"tion of Syri"nus/ trip"rtite ivision of re"lity4'

*t e"!h level For&s "re to be foun th"t &"t!h the p"rti!ul"r ontologi!"l !h"r"!teristi!s of the level 381, 38682, 24' #he intelligible For&s "re /by the go s/ 3ZQ ^_VN R4 "n /!o&plete/ the r"n1s of the ivine 382, 3 "n 126134Ethese v"gue for&ul"tions ;ill be !l"rifie l"ter' #he is!ursive For&s i&it"te the intelligible For&s, "ssi&il"ting the psy!hi! or er to the intelligible 382, 1-61.4' *s !onte&pl"te by ivine "n e&oni! souls, is!ursive For&s fun!tion "s e&iurgi! prin!iples' But for souls th"t h"ve f"llen, "s in the Phaedrus, fro& !onte&pl"tion "n thus fro& the po;er of &"1ing, they "re no &ore th"n obGe!ts of 1no;le ge' &.
&.

82, 1.620F !f' Pr"e!hter 319324, 19-:'

0e h"ve "!!ess to the& in virtue of the f"!t th"t the e&iurge of Pl"to/s !imaeus !onstru!te soul through geo&etri!, "rith&eti!"l, "n h"r&oni! "n"logies 382, 20624' In this ;"y is!ursive For&s "re inn"te in us "n &"1e possible the re!olle!tion of For&s in the f"llen soul 382, 2.4' #hese For&s "re /univers"ls/ 3bQ^ YV[ Y \VN4, not in *ristotle/s sense, "s "bstr"!te fro& sensible obGe!ts, but "s e8isting " priori "s
en p'131

p"rt of the being of souls 382, 2:684' <o;ever for higher souls, "s note "bove, they "re "lso e&iurgi! prin!iples gui ing the !"uses i&&"nent in "n org"ni?ing n"ture 382, 28694' #hese i&&"nent !"uses 3Y \VN Q PNQ4, ;hi!h "re insep"r"ble fro& sensible bo ies, represent the lo;est level "t ;hi!h for& is foun 383, .694' #o "ll levels /the Pyth"gore"ns/ "pplie &"the&"ti!"l ter&s, not be!"use they ;ere un"ble to istinguish bet;een levels, but be!"use of the rel"tion of i&"ge to &o el lin1ing e"!h level to the level "bove it' &/
&/

83, 1-62:F Syri"nus reg"r s &u!h of *ristotle/s !riti!is& "s sho;ing only " f"ilure to gr"sp this point 3!f' 180, 1962.F 18:, 306:4'

In ;h"t follo;s I sh"ll "tte&pt to fill out this gener"l s!he&e ;ith ;h"t !"n be gle"ne fro& other p"rts of Syri"nus/ Commentary, beginning ;ith the inter&e i"te, / is!ursive/ levelE;here nu&bers, properly spe"1ing, "re foun E

"n then !onsi ering ho; nu&bers fun!tion in p"r" ig&"ti! e8tr"pol"tion in physi!s, "s the !"uses of sensible bo ies, "n ho; they "nti!ip"te "n e8press the obGe!ts of &et"physi!s, true being "n the ivine'

3III4 Nu&ber "n the Soul

#he rel"tion bet;een the obGe!ts of &"the&"ti!s "n soul is, in ;h"t re&"ins of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, so&e;h"t un!le"r' #his is not the !"se in Syri"nus2 inter&e i"te bet;een intelligible "n sensible re"lity, the obGe!ts of &"the&"ti!s "re p"rt of the n"ture of soul 3-, .6114' *s ;e h"ve seen, &"the&"ti!"ls h"ve " ouble fun!tion, "s prin!iples gui ing the e&iurge "!tion of unf"llen souls on the ;orl '0
'0

#hese "re subor in"tes of the e&iurge proper of the !imaeus 3!f' 82, 1.6224'

"n "s inn"te univers"ls in f"llen souls "llo;ing the& to reg"in their lost 1no;le ge' #he !orrespon en!e bet;een the e&iurgi! prin!iples of unf"llen souls "n the inn"te univers"ls in f"llen souls e8pl"ins ho; ;e 3the l"tter4 "re !"p"ble of s!ientifi! e&onstr"tions !on!erning the physi!"l he"vens "n other &"teri"l obGe!ts2 by eveloping e&onstr"tions "pplying to physi!"l obGe!ts fro& first prin!iples, or univers"ls, th"t ;e possess inn"tely "n !ognitively 3\UcOPNbc R4, ;e rehe"rse the "!tu"l !onstitution of these obGe!ts fro& the s"&e prin!iples fun!tioning / e&iurgi!"lly/ 3M]TNV[ \Nbc R4' '$
'$

)f' 88, 2-632F 99, 16.F 82, 3:683, 1F 29, 3069F +uhe& 3191-4, II 10263F "lso Pro!lus, In !im3 II 23:, 2369'

In ee , Syri"nus "rgues, s!ientifi! e&onstr"tion, "s *ristotle un erst"n s it, is not possible if ;e follo; *ristotle in
en p'132

tre"ting /univers"l prin!iples/ "s "bstr"!te 3 a posteriori4 fro& physi!"l obGe!ts' For ho; !oul su!h prin!iples be ;h"t is prior s!ientifi!"lly, ;h"t is &ost !le"r "n ;ell 1no;n, "s *ristotle !l"i&s, if they "re eriv"tives of sensible p"rti!ul"rs> *ristotle/s 3"nti6Pl"toni!4 vie; in Metaphysics M of /univers"ls/, espe!i"lly &"the&"ti!"l univers"ls, "s erive fro& p"rti!ul"rs is in!onsistent ;ith his o;n un erst"n ing of the n"ture of s!ientifi! e&onstr"tion' )onsisten!y is re!overe if su!h univers"ls "re reg"r e "s prin!iples e8isting prior to the sensible ;orl , fun!tioning !ognitively in our souls "n e&iurgi!"lly in the souls th"t org"ni?e the ;orl ' '%
'%

90, 8623F !f' 9., 2969:, :' %n the /univers"ls/ in the soul, !f' -, 396., 2F 12, .61.F 1:3, :68F 91, 2061F 9., 13619'

#he rel"tion bet;een soul "n &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts reBuires further spe!ifi!"tion, ho;ever' 5"the&"ti!"ls !onstitute but " portion of the univers"ls in the soul 38-, 1634' 0h"t the other univers"ls "re is not Buite !le"r in Syri"nus, "n ;e &ust turn to Pro!lus for further infor&"tion on this point 3belo;, p' 2014' Further&ore, &"the&"ti!"ls "ppe"r "t sever"l levels in the soul' In pro u!ing

soul the e&iurge gives it nu&ber ;hi!h &"y be !"lle /i e"l/ 3 M]PNb R4 nu&ber E"lthough it is not properly spe"1ing i e"l nu&ber, i'e' intelligible For&Eto istinguish it fro& the nu&ber it pro u!es fro& itself, &"the&"ti!"l or /&on" i!/ 3TVUQMNb R4 nu&ber' '&
'&

123, 1962-F !f' 88, 869F Pr"e!hter 319324, 19.96:0F &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber is /&on" i!/ be!"use it is &" e up of units, &on" sF !f' I"&bli!hus "s Buote by Si&pli!ius, In cat3 138, 10611 3C fr' -. ="rsen4F 5erl"n 319:.4, 19162F ,ersh 319984, 139'

So&e light is she on soul/s gener"tion fro& its i e"l or essenti"l nu&ber of &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber "t 132, 1-623, "n 133, 1061., ;here Syri"nus represents soul "s pro u!ing &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers fro& t;o prin!iples th"t it possesses ;ithin itself, " &on" "n " y" ' #hus ;e o, "fter "ll, /thin1 up/ &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber, but not in *ristotle/s sense2 our souls !ont"in essenti"l nu&bers, i&"ges presu&"bly of intelligible For&s, in p"rti!ul"r " &on" "n y" th"t pre6!ont"in "ll of the for&"l fe"tures of &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers "n fro& ;hi!h ;e gener"te &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers' * si&il"r psy!hi! gener"tion t"1es pl"!e for geo&etri!"l obGe!ts2 geo&etri!"l figures "re pro u!e fro& essenti"l, in ivisible prin!iples in the soul 3V ON M NR, T_ _N R Y \VN4 ;hen geo&etry, in its !ognitive ;e"1ness, proGe!ts these in i&"gin"tion, "n thus in e8tension, so "s to gr"sp the& &ore e"sily' ''
''

91, 2.692, . 3!f' Philoponus, In de an3 .8, 96134F Pr"e!hter 319324, 19.2'

#here "re sever"l i&port"nt " v"nt"ges for the Pl"tonist in this istin!tion bet;een levels of &"the&"ti!"ls in the soul "n in the i e"
en p'133

th"t the lo;er level is " proGe!tion of the higher2 " pl"!e is foun for the !re"tivity of &"the&"ti!s th"t re!on!iles it ;ith " foun "tion th"t is not invente , but /given/, " priori, univers"l, "n ne!ess"ryF further&ore Bu"ntity "n e8tension in &"the&"ti!"ls !"n be "!!ounte for ;ithout s"!rifi!e of the in ivisible, une8ten e !h"r"!ter of their origin"ls in the soul' '(
'(

)f' )h"rles 319824, 192 3on Pro!lus4' #he theory th"t &"the&"ti!"ls "re proGe!tions, i&"gings forth, of intelligible prin!iples &"y go b"!1 to I"&bli!hus 3!f' Comm3 3-, 9612F -3, 21F --, 9F Steel K1998L, :3, :9684 "n "ppe"rs to h"ve been " opte by Plut"r!h of *thens 3in Philoponus, In de an3 .1., 2069F !f' Beier;"ltes K198.L, 2:0, Blu&enth"l K199.L, 13-6:4' Its b"!1groun &ust be the interpret"tion of ;h"t pre!isely &ight be the &e iu& responsible for the i&"ge st"tus of &"the&"ti!"ls in Pl"to/s 'ep3, "n the i entifi!"tion of the i&"gin"tion 3 QUPQO Q4 ;ith this &e iu&' )h"rles 319914, 2.1, refers to Plotinus, I( 3, 30, ;here i&"gin"tion "!ts "s " &irror sho;ing forth, "rti!ul"ting thought' )f' belo;, p' 1:8'

3I(4 /Physi!"l Nu&ber/

#he rel"tion bet;een psy!hi! &"the&"ti!"ls, "s both !"us"l "n episte&i! prin!iples, "n the org"ni?"tion of the physi!"l ;orl h"s "lre" y been note ' #o un erst"n physi!"l pheno&en" ;e &ust rel"te the& b"!1 3 UQ V 4 to their p"r" ig&"ti! &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples 3!f' 98, 1:631F 1.., 3:61.:, :4' In ee the

;orl is org"ni?e by !"uses th"t, "s p"tterne "fter nu&ber, !"n be es!ribe "s /physi!"l nu&bers/' ')
')

)f' 122, 2.69F 1-2, 29 "n 32F 188, . "n 10F 190, 22F <er&i"s refers briefly to MVZVNV 3In Phaedr3 1:, -6.4'

N^TV

Syri"nus spe"1s of " s!ien!e !orrespon ing to this I"&bli!he"n i e" of physi!"l nu&ber, /physi!"l "rith&eti!/ 3189, 13F 192, 2634' #he ifferen!es bet;een physi!"l nu&bers "n &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers 3in p"rti!ul"r &on" i! nu&bers pro u!e fro& essenti"l nu&bers in the soul4 &ust be !"refully observe , for !onfusing the& is the sour!e of so&e of *ristotle/s !riti!is&s in the Metaphysics' '*
'*

)f' 122, 2.69F 1-3, -610F 190, 3.69F Pro!lus, In !im3 I 1:, 2.619, -'

#hus the y" th"t pro u!es &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber is not th"t ;hi!h pro u!es physi!"l soli s 3180, 226.4' Iet the !onne!tions bet;een physi!"l "n &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers Gustify Pyth"gore"n "n"logies bet;een physi!s "n &"the&"ti!sF &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers e8e&plify, they bring out for&"l properties th"t e8pl"in physi!"l pheno&en" 3!f' 1-3, 9610F 122, 28694' Su!h in ee is the /physi!"l "rith&eti!/ evelope in I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism ( "n ;hi!h Syri"nus in p"rt repro u!es 3"bove, p' 1304' <o;ever, Syri"nus/ tre"t&ent of the subGe!t is li&ite 2 he is !on!erne ;ith it to the e8tent th"t it involves istin!tions
en p'13-

th"t serve to is&iss so&e of *ristotle/s "ssu&ptions "bout Pyth"gore"n6 Pl"toni! nu&ber6theory'

3(4 Nu&ber in 5et"physi!s

*ristotle/s pole&i! ;ith Pl"tonis&6Pyth"gore"nis& in Metaphysics MN h"s to o &"inly, of !ourse, ;ith the theory of tr"ns!en ent i&&"teri"l For&s "n i e"l nu&bers 3 M]PNbV N^TV 4' Syri"nus !onseBuently h"s " goo e"l &ore to s"y "bout this &et"physi!"l level of re"lity' <e un erst"n s the rel"tion bet;een For&s "n nu&bers in " /Pyth"gore"n/ ;"y2 i e"l nu&bers represent " Pyth"gore"n ;"y of spe"1ing of For&s' For&s the&selves "re not 3&"the&"ti!"l4 nu&bers, '.
'.

)f' 103, 1. ff'F 18:, 306.F -., 336-:, .F for the ifferen!e bet;een For&s "n univers"ls in the soul !f' 10., 39610:, .'

but by referring to For&s "s nu&bers the Pyth"gore"ns e8presse through &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy signifi!"nt ontologi!"l 3for&"l "n yn"&i!4 fe"tures of For&s' For&s !"n be es!ribe "s nu&bers in th"t "s !"uses they "!t "s &e"sures for their effe!ts, fitting the& together "n unifying the& 3103, 1.610-, 2F 13-, 226:4' #he For&s !onstitute " e!" in the sense th"t they "re " !o&prehensive p"r" ig& for the ;orl , Gust "s the e!" !ont"ins "ll nu&bers 31-9, 2961-8, 94' *n Gust "s nu&ber is pro u!e fro& " &on" "n y" , so there "re t;o prin!iples pro u!ing For&s ;hi!h, by re"son of their "n"logous

fun!tion, !"n be referre to "s &on" "n y" 3!f' 132, 1-620F 13-, 2263.F -8, 236.4' <o;ever the f"!t th"t the re"l& of For&s is being "ppro"!he through "n"logies st"rting fro& their i&"ges, &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers, &ust not be ignore , sin!e &"the&"ti!"l nu&bers oper"te ;ith units "n Bu"ntity, fe"tures not relev"nt to " proper "!!ount of For&s 3131, 396132, 2F 18:, 306.4' #he ifferen!e bet;een " &"the&"ti!"l foresh" o;ing of the for&"l !h"r"!teristi!s of pure For& "n " true 1no;le ge of the For&s is foun "lso in the istin!tion Syri"nus &"1es 3"s i I"&bli!hus4 bet;een the e&onstr"tive &etho of &"the&"ti!s "n the higher, ire!t insight 3 ZNXVY 4 ;hereby &et"physi!s "tt"ins its obGe!ts 3-, 296., 24' Iet even ;hen it !o&es to e8pressing the rel"tion bet;een &et"physi!s "n the s!ien!es subor in"te to it 3&"the&"ti!s "n physi!s4, Syri"nus !"nnot "voi &"the&"ti!"l "n"logy' In reply to *ristotle/s pu??le in Metaphysics 5 1, "s to ;hether &et"physi!s shoul stu y 3only4 the first !"uses of subst"n!es, or "lso the prin!iples of "ll e&onstr"tions, Syri"nus efen s the l"tter "ltern"tive on the groun s th"t &et"physi!s,
en p'13.

li1e " &on" , pre6!ont"ins the prin!iples of "ll the s!ien!es subor in"te to it 33, 196304' It is !le"r th"t Syri"nus i entifies *ristoteli"n &et"physi!s, the s!ien!e of being, ;ith / i"le!ti!/, the stu y of pure intelligible being 3or the For&s4 of Pl"to/s 'epu-lic' '/
'/

)f' .., 3632F .8, 1361-F (erbe1e 319814F %/5e"r" 3198:4, .69'

Both in turn rel"te in so&e ;"y to the Pyth"gore"n s!ien!e of the ivine ;hi!h is to be foun "lso in the theology of Pl"to/s Parmenides 3!f' 121, .F 12:, 1.61:4' #his theology e"ls ;ith the ivine !h"r"!teri?e "s / ivine nu&ber/ 3^_N VR N^T R4 in the s"&e ;"y "s the For&s "re !"lle /i e"l nu&bers/' (0
(0

)f' 12-, 2-6.F 1-:, 9F 1::, 1:62-F 199, 19629F 199, 23630'

Pyth"gore"n6Pl"toni! theology, it see&s, !on!erns &ore th"n the For&s2 higher prin!iples !o&e ;ithin its s!ope' Before su!h prin!iples "re intro u!e , "n i&port"nt ifferenti"tion ;ithin the re"l& of For&s &ust first be note ' In )h"pter 3 "bove " istin!tion ;"s foun in On Pythagoreanism (II bet;een /intelligibles/ 3UV]P 4 "n /intelle!tu"ls/ 3UV 4' It re"ppe"rs in Syri"nus/ Commentary 3!f' -, 196184 "n e8presses itself "s " istin!tion bet;een /intelligible/ "n /intelle!tu"l/ nu&bers 3122, 31624' In ee Syri"nus refers us to On Pythagoreanism for the ifferen!e bet;een intelligible "n intelle!tu"l &on" s 31-0, 1161.4' Syri"nus "lso intro u!es the istin!tion in his e8egesis of so&e 3Pyth"gore"n> %rphi!>4 verses "t 10:, 1. ff'2 For&s !o&e to be /intelligibly/ "n /tetr" i!"lly/ in the /i e"l "ni&"l/ 3P Q PVe VU4 "n then /intelle!tu"lly/ "n / e!" i!"lly/ in the e&iurgi! intelle!t' #he l"ngu"ge in i!"tes th"t this is in f"!t "n interpret"tion of Pl"to/s !imaeus in ;hi!h the proble& of the rel"tion bet;een e&iurge "n &o el is solve by subor in"ting the e&iurge to the &o el' ($
($

#h"t this is in f"!t Syri"nus/ interpret"tion of the !imaeus is !onfir&e by Pro!lus, In !im3 I 322, 186323, 22F !f' ,ersh 319984, 1396-0'

5"the&"ti!"l e8pression is given to the subor in"tion2 the e&iurgi! intelle!t !o&prises the For&s fully "rti!ul"te "s "re the nu&bers in the e!" , ;here"s the /i e"l "ni&"l/ !ont"ins the For&s in the ;"y th"t the tetr" !ont"ins the essenti"l fe"tures of nu&bersF the i e"l "ni&"l is to the e&iurge "s the tetr" is to the e!" ' #hus &"the&"ti!"l rel"tions !"n serve to for&ul"te the stru!ture intern"l to the re"l& of For&s' #he /intelle!tu"l e!" / of For&s is subor in"te "n pre6!ont"ine then in " &ore unifie ;"y in the /intelligible tetr" / ;hi!h itself erives fro& t;o &ore ulti&"te prin!iples, " &on" "n y" ' In ee
en p'13:

the &on" "n y" pl"y " !entr"l role in the !onstitution of re"lity' #he i entity "n iversity by ;hi!h they pro u!e For&s "re e!hoe "t e"!h su!!ee ing level of being, &ore "n &ore f"intly, o;n to the org"ni?"tion of n"ture, e"!h level /unfol ing/ fro& " &on" 6 y" p"ir !orrel"tive to th"t level but eriving ulti&"tely fro& the first "n highest p"ir' (%
(%

)f' ., 1:631F -8, 23631F Pr"e!hter 319324, 19.:F "n espe!i"lly Shepp"r 319824 on the i&port"n!e of &on" "n y" "s prin!iples'

#his first p"ir is not to be i entifie ;ith the first &e&bers of the intelligible tetr" , the /&on" itself/ "n / y" itself/, but it tr"ns!en s the tetr" , "n therefore pure intelligible being' #he supr"6intelligible &on" , "s " unity, itself presupposes " higher prin!iple, the ulti&"te origin, the %ne' *lthough Syri"nus/ nee to invo1e theologi!"l "uthorities so&eti&es blurs r"ther th"n sh"rpens these istin!tions bet;een the ulti&"te %ne, the supr"6intelligible &on" "n y" "n the intelligible &on" "n y" , they e&erge ;ith suffi!ient !l"rity fro& the follo;ing t;o p"ss"ges2 It see&s to &e th"t 7&pe o!les supposes /Frien ship/ to be nothing other th"n the %ne, not the %ne th"t is not !o6or in"te ;ith "nything , but th"t ;hi!h is !o6 or in"te ;ith the unli&ite y" , ;hi!h he refers to "s /Strife/, fro& ;hi!h ;h"t pri&"rily is "n "ll the intelligibles "n the sensible ;orl !o&e to be' 311, 28631F !f' -3, 116204 Metaphysics N 1p one shoul s"y th"t these &en in!lu e in the first !"uses, not su!h opposites "s "re non6beings in the sense of being inferior to being, but ' ' ' su!h "s "re non6beings in the sense of superior to being' For the first prin!iples of beings &ust tr"ns!en being' *n yet these &en i not begin fro& opposites , but they ;ere ";"re of ;h"t tr"ns!en s the t;o opposite or ers, ;itness Philol"us ;ho s"ys go pro u!e li&it "n the unli&ite ' (&
(&

1:., 3161::, 1F !f' 112, 3.6113, . 3M[ R

d]\Nb `Q PVM[ R4F Shepp"r 319824, 26-'

So&e of the ele&ents of this &et"physi!"l stru!ture !"n be foun in <er&i"s/ Commentary on the Phaedrus' $e"lity, in <er&i"s, "lso !ul&in"tes in "n ulti&"te %ne 3121, 194' <e too "ssu&es " istin!tion bet;een the /intelligible/ "n /intelle!tu"l/ or ers 313-, 36-F 89, 861.4' *n he "llu es to " supr"6intelligible level in the follo;ing te8t2

But if you ;ere to !onte&pl"te the be"utiful, the ;ise "n the goo "!!or ing to " &o e tr"ns!en ing the go s/ intelle!t, you shoul s"y th"t there is " light ('
('

Or3 Chald3 -9, 1F !f' Pro!lus, In !im' III 13, 2961-, -'

pro!ee ing fro& the ,oo ' ' ' Pl"to s"ys in the Phile-us th"t it is not possible
en p'139

for hu&"n thought to gr"sp the For& of the ,oo ;ith si&ple insight' Sin!e thus th"t light pro!ee s i&&e i"tely fro& the ,oo , it still re&"ins "bove For& "n si&pli!ity' It is thus i&possible to gr"sp it by si&ple insight 3 ZNXVY 4' 313-, 126184

3(I4 Syri"nus "n I"&bli!hus

If one !o&p"res the &et"physi!"l l"n s!"pe presuppose by Syri"nus/ Commentary "n <er&i"s ;ith th"t re!onstru!te "bove in )h"pter 3 fro& ;h"t re&"ins of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, one ;ill fin " l"rge &e"sure of "gree&ent, but "lso, it "ppe"rs, so&e ifferen!es' %ne ifferen!e reg"r s the level intervening bet;een the ulti&"te %ne "n intelligible being 3the For&s4' In I"&bli!hus it see&s th"t this level in!lu e not only &on" "n y" , but "lso tri" "n 3prob"bly4 the follo;ing &e&bers of " supr"6intelligible e!" ' #hese / ivine nu&bers/ !onstitute the &ost unifie or er of &e&bers ;ho "re the&selves unities' Iet in Syri"nus it "ppe"rs th"t only " &on" "n y" inh"bit this level' #his &"y, ho;ever, be " &"tter of e&ph"sis "n !onte8t' <er&i"s refers to the prin!iples th"t follo; the ulti&"te %ne "s /the first hen" s/ 3121, 194' Syri"nus "lso spe"1s of /&on" s or hen" s ;hi!h pro!ee fro& the very first !"use/ 3In Met' 183, 2-6.4 "n he &"1es " istin!tion, for For&s prior to the e&iurgi! 3i'e' /intelle!tu"l/4 For&s, bet;een /unifie / 3 UNQN VR4 "n /essenti"l/ 3V ON M]R4 nu&bers 312:, 194Esin!e the l"tter !onstitute the intelligible or er, the for&er &ust represent the or er "bove it' *n if the supr"6intelligible level in Syri"nus !ont"ins /hen" i! nu&bers/, it see&s re"son"ble to e8pe!t th"t it e8ten s beyon &on" "n y" to the follo;ing 3properly spe"1ing4 nu&bers of " e!" ' ((
((

#his "llo;s us to e8pl"in the rel"tion bet;een Syri"nus/ supr"6intelligible &on" 6 y" p"ir "n the o!trine of ivine hen" s "ttribute to Syri"nus by Pro!lus 3 In Parm' 10:2, 2063-F !heol3 Plat' I l888vi4' #he proble& pose by this rel"tion is r"ise by Shepp"r 319824'

)le"r is"gree&ent bet;een I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus !"n be ete!te ho;ever on so&e spe!ifi! points' * p"rti!ul"rly reve"ling !"se is foun in <er&i"s' *t issue is the interpret"tion of the !o&p"ny of t;elve go s, le by jeus, in the Phaedrus 32-: e4' So&e possible e8egeses "re e8"&ine "n reGe!te "n then th"t of I"&bli!hus is intro u!e 313:, 1962942 <o;ever the ivine I"&bli!hus, noting the n"&e jeus, rel"tes the p"ss"ge to the one e&iurge of the universe ;ho is spo1en of in the !imaeus up
en p'138

/intelle!tu"l/ e&iurgep' But ;e, here "lso " &iring the &"n/s insight 3 ZNXVY 4, ;oul " only this2 th"t by jeus is not to be un erstoo si&ply the one "n tr"ns!en ent e&iurge, for this tr"ns!en ent e&iurge oes not h"ve " p"rti!ul"r pl"!e in the /"r&y/ Phaedrusp, ' ' ' but is present eBu"lly in "ll r"n1s' ' ' ' #his is then our vie;, follo;ing Pl"to "n the theologi"ns2 "fter the e&iurgi! &on" , the one "n tr"ns!en ent jeus, !o&e three jeuses ' ' ' e"!h of ;ho& h"s subor in"te to hi& four further go s' jeus is foun "t three levels2 the tr"ns!en ent e&iurge proper on the /intelle!tu"l/ levelF belo; hi& " tri" F "n belo; this t;elve go s, le by the jeus of Pl"to/s Phaedrus' ()
()

)f' "lso 139, :610F 138, 296139, 1F 1-2, 10612F Pro!lus, In !im' I 310, 36311, - 3on Syri"nus4'

%f p"rti!ul"r interest is the sour!e of Syri"nus/ is"gree&ent ;ith I"&bli!hus' #he l"tter h" i entifie the jeus of the Phaedrus, the first &e&ber of " series of t;elve, ;ith the e&iurge of the !imaeus' But, for Syri"nus, the e&iurge is not the first of " series of t;elve' <e is r"ther " tr"ns!en ent intelle!tu"l &on" , prin!iple 3vi" " tri" 4 of the series of t;elve "s " ;hole' In other ;or s pre!isely be!"use of the sort of &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples th"t I"&bli!hus h" use for theologyEhere in p"rti!ul"r the istin!tion bet;een the first 3i&&"nent4 &e&ber of " series "n the tr"ns!en ent prin!iple of the series "s " ;holeEhis interpret"tion of the theology of the Phaedrus &ust be "&en e ' (*
(*

#he istin!tion bet;een i&&"nent "n tr"ns!en ent &on" is "lso "pplie to theologi!"l rel"tionships "t 1.2, 1.619' %ne &ight &ention here "lso Syri"nus/ insisten!e, "g"inst I"&bli!hus, th"t the ulti&"te %ne is not to be tre"te "s if !o6or in"te ;ith the hen" s in the interpret"tion of the first hypothesis of the Parmenides 3!f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' III 8l ff'4'

Pro!lus reports "nother !"se of Syri"nus being &ore rigorous in his "ppli!"tion of &"the&"ti!s th"n I"&bli!hus, (.
(.

In !im' I 20, 29 ff'

"n the gener"l spirit of this is"gree&ent is ;ell e8presse by " l"ter &e&ber of the *theni"n s!hool2 #his is Si&pli!ius/ ;or1, I"&bli!hus besto;er of blessings, Forgive &y efe"ting you, but it is through your ;or sS (/
(/

S!holiu& on Pro!lus, In !im' I 19., 2 3-:8, 1.61:4F !f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I !liiiF I' <" ot 31989-4, 3061'

It is li1ely enough th"t ;ere &ore to be re!overe of I"&bli!hus/ lost ;or1s "n ;ere " truly !o&prehensive "n et"ile tre"t&ent by Syri"nus of the stru!ture of re"lity "v"il"ble, other ifferen!es !oul be note ' Useful !o&p"risons !oul "lso be &" e bet;een the hosts of lesser eities "n e&ons in I"&bli!hus/ On

Mysteries "n their !ounterp"rts, /hyper!os&i!/ "n /en!os&i!/Eof ;hi!h the /Govi"l/
en p'139

plethor" en!ountere "bove is but " is&"ying s"&pleSEin Syri"nus "n <er&i"s' 7nough evi en!e h"s, ho;ever, been !olle!te , I believe, to !on!lu e th"t Syri"nus/ gener"l "ppro"!h to the stru!ture of re"lity o;es &u!h to I"&bli!hus, "n in p"rti!ul"r to On Pythagoreanism' Nu&ber per&e"tes this stru!ture, not in virtue of the !ru e i entifi!"tions of nu&bers ;ith things th"t *ristotle fin s in the Pyth"gore"ns, but in virtue of the inter&e i"te "n pivot"l st"tus of &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts2 "s e8e&pl"rs of the physi!"l ;orl they e8press p"r" ig&"ti!"lly the for&"l prin!iples i&&"nent in the ;orl F "s lo;er i&"ges they foresh" o; their origins, the re"l& of For&s "n its o;n ulti&"te prin!iples' In istinguishing bet;een &"ny levels or sorts of nu&berEphysi!"l, &"the&"ti!"l or psy!hi!, intelle!tu"l, intelligible, hen" i! or ivineESyri"nus follo;s I"&bli!hus/ e8"&ple "n "lso e&ph"si?es I"&bli!hus/ point th"t this e8presses the tr"nspos"bility of &"the&"ti!"ls to other o&"ins' #he result, in Syri"nus "s in I"&bli!hus, is " /physi!"l "rith&eti!/ "n " /theologi!"l "rith&eti!/' If the l"tter is &u!h &ore fully represente in Syri"nus/ Commentary on the Metaphysics th"n in the fe; re&"ins of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (II, its fun!tion on the ;hole is so&e;h"t neg"tive2 it "!ts "s " st"n "r "g"inst ;hi!h *ristotle/s "nti6Pyth"gore"nis& is !orre!te , r"ther th"n "s " s!ien!e presente in its o;n right' <o;ever, enough e&erges to in i!"te th"t Syri"nus, li1e I"&bli!hus, fin s in &"the&"ti!s istin!tions "n rel"tionships th"t !"n be use to es!ribe the !h"r"!teristi!s of For&s, the stru!ture of the re"l& of For&s, "n its rel"tion to " higher or er, th"t of /hen" s/, ;hi!h is "lso "ppro"!he in &"the&"ti!"l ter&s' Syri"nus is "s ";"re "s is I"&bli!hus th"t su!h " /theologi!"l "rith&eti!/ is b"se &erely on "n"logy' Besi es the evi en!e given "bove fro& Syri"nus/ Commentary, " goo e8"&ple of this &etho ologi!"l !"ution !"n be foun in <er&i"s' #he subGe!t in Buestion is "g"in the series of t;elve go s of the Phaedrus2 So&e fit, in "n "rith&eti!"l ;"y, e"!h of the ten go s 3subtr"!ting t;o &on" s fro& the t;elve4 ' ' ' to the ten nu&bers of the e!" ' ' ' , giving the &on" to *pollo, the y" to <er",' ' ' But is not to be un erstoo in " si&ple "rith&eti!"l f"shion, but e"!h go org"ni?es "n is provi ent "!!or ing to his !h"r"!teristi! 3 MN P]R4' ' ' ' #he !h"r"!teristi! of e"!h is to be le"rnt fro& theology' ' ' ' So there "re !ert"in !h"r"!teristi!s in nu&bers ;hi!h i&it"te the !h"r"!teristi!s of the go s "n "re thus tr"nspose to the&' 3139, 36204' Syri"nus reGe!ts the si&ple i entifi!"tions of nu&bers ;ith go s foun in tr" ition"l Pyth"gore"n e!" i! ;or1s su!h "s th"t "ttribute to
en p'1-0

*n"tolius' If he freBuently !o&p"res the nu&bers ;ith the go s )0

)0

)f' e'g' <er&i"s, 90, 21 ff'F 139, -6:F 138, 11613'

it is on the b"sis of tr"nspositions ;hose b"sis "n li&it"tions he re!ogni?es' 5"the&"ti!s !"n help to le" us to higher things 3191, 106124' It !"n fun!tion "s " /bri ge/ENi!o&"!hus/ i&"ge use by Syri"nus in his Commentary 3In Met' 9:, 286304' But its is!ursive &etho s "n the i&"ges it uses "re inferior in &et"physi!s to the ire!t /insight/ into the For&s "n ;h"t tr"ns!en s the& su!h "s is reve"le by the inspire poets "n the ivine souls of Pyth"gore"n philosophers'
en p'1-1

* Pro!lus2 So&e Preli&in"ry Issues

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
/* gre"t h"ven/2 so 5i!h"el Psellus es!ribe the enor&ous !olle!tion of Pro!lus/ ;or1s fro& ;hi!h he !oul so often istil his o;n philosophi!"l ;ritings' Psellus/ interest is no oubt responsible in p"rt for the preserv"tion of so &u!h of this !olle!tion' But presu&"bly it h" i&pose itself in su!h " ;"y "s to suppl"nt the ;or1s of others long before, in the "ys of Pro!lus/ is!iples "n su!!essors "t *thens' $
$

)f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I !liiF Segon s 3198.6:4, liv ff'

#he thous"n s of p"ges of Pro!lus th"t h"ve survive represent, ho;ever, but " s&"ll fr"!tion of the origin"l corpus' Iet there is &ore th"n enough to provi e infor&"tion on Buestions th"t re&"in un"ns;ere in the s!"r!e re&"ins of the ;or1s of I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus' #his &"1es it possible not only to "ppro"!h Pro!lus/ ;or1 fro& the point of vie; of I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e to revive Pyth"gore"nis&, but "lso to fill so&e g"ps in this progr"&&e, "t le"st "s it ;"s un erstoo "n " "pte by Pro!lus' For this re"son our is!ussion of Pro!lus !"n be &u!h fuller th"n is possible in the !"se of Syri"nus' ,iven, ho;ever, our li&ite purposes in P"rt II, " sele!tive r"ther th"n " !o&prehensive tre"t&ent of Pro!lus ;ill be "ppropri"te' Pro!lus pro u!e his ;or1s uring " long lifeti&e of gre"t "n regul"r in ustriousness' It see&s then re"son"ble to suppose th"t his i e"s &ight h"ve evelope or !h"nge in the !ourse of this long "!tivity' <o;ever, fe; of his ;or1s !"n be "ssigne to spe!ifi! perio s of his life' %
%

%n this Buestion !f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I 88iii688ivF Shepp"r 319804, 3-68F Segon s 3198.6:4, 8li ff'

<is pupil 5"rinus tells us 3Vita Procli, !h' 134 th"t the Commentary on the !imaeus ;"s ;ritten ;hen Pro!lus ;"s " young &"n, still very &u!h un er the influen!e 3one !oul "ssu&e4 of Syri"nus' #he ;or1 On Pro*idence ;"s ;ritten

;hen Pro!lus ;"s no longer young 3v -., .6114' #he Platonic !heology is !ert"inly l"ter th"n the Commentary on the Parmenides' &
&

)f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, lo!' !it'

<o;ever "n "tte&pt to "rgue th"t the lements of Physics is " very e"rly ;or1 h"s not been su!!essful' '
'

)f' +o

s, in Pro!lus, l3 theol' 8viii, 201, 2.0'

It h"s been suggeste th"t the lements of !heology &ight "lso be e"rly, in vie; of
en p'1-2

the rel"tive si&pli!ity of its stru!ture of re"lity "s !o&p"re ;ith th"t of the Platonic !heology' (
(

)f' +o

s, op' !it' 8vi68viiF but !f' #rouill"r /s !o&&ents 319:.4, -.'

Iet "llo;"n!e &ust be &" e for the p"rti!ul"r pe "gogi! purposes "n restr"ints !h"r"!teristi! of the lements of !heology 3see belo;, )h"pter 94' %n the other h"n the Platonic !heology h"s been thought to sho;, in its style, signs of senility, )
)

)f' +o

s, op' !it, 8v'

" suggestion th"t ;oul be iffi!ult to prove' #he !ross6referen!es in Pro!lus/ ;or1s ten to sho; th"t he !oul "lso revise his ;or1s "t l"ter st"ges' *
*

)f' +o

s, lo!' !it'

It h"s been !onvin!ingly "rgue on the b"sis of ifferen!es in o!trine th"t the ess"ys !onstituting the Commentary on the 'epu-lic ;ere ;ritten "t ifferent perio s of Pro!lus/ life' .
.

Shepp"r 319804, 1.621, 3-68'

<o;ever o!trin"l !o&p"risons bet;een ;or1s or p"rts of ;or1s !"n in so&e !"ses yiel only tent"tive results' /
/

)f' Blu&enth"l 3199.4'

In gener"l then one h"s little !hoi!e but to "ppro"!h Pro!lus on " syste&"ti! r"ther th"n !hronologi!"l b"sis' <o;ever, the pre!"ution !"n be t"1en of !onsi ering e"!h ;or1 in ivi u"lly, in so f"r "s this is possible, so "s to "llo; ;h"t o!trin"l ifferen!es there &ight be bet;een the ;or1s to e&erge'

1' #he $iv"lry 0ith the 5"the&"ti!i"n +o&inus of ="riss"

Pro!ulus/ fello;6pupil "n !olle"gue <er&i"s left *thens "t so&e point "fter his stu ies ;ith Syri"nus "n ;ent to *le8"n ri" ;here he, "n &ore espe!i"lly his

son *&&onius, ;oul tr"in "n i&port"nt group of Neopl"toni! philosophers' #he rel"tions bet;een the t;o e86pupils of Syri"nus "ppe"r to h"ve been goo 2 <er&i"s &"rrie " rel"tive of Syri"nus, "n their son *&&onius ;ent to *thens to re!eive his philosophi!"l e u!"tion fro& Pro!lus before returning to *le8"n ri" to be!o&e hi&self " very influenti"l te"!her' Syri"nus h" , ho;ever, "nother pupil in the fin"l ye"rs of his life, +o&ninus of ="riss", ;hose rel"tions ;ith Pro!lus be!"&e f"r fro& frien ly' $0
$0

Pro!lus/ referen!e to /&y !olle"gue +o&ninus/ in In !im3 I 109, 306110, I 3!f' 122, 18620F the report of +o&ninus/ vie;s &"y e8ten to 123, 104 is not unfrien ly "n is prob"bly "n e!ho fro& the perio of their !o&&on stu y of Pl"to/s !imaeus un er Syri"nus'

5"rinus, Pro!lus/ biogr"pher, or r"ther en!o&i"st 3"n su!!essor4, reports in his Life of Proclus2
en p'1-3

propose to interpret for hi& "n for the philosopher "n su!!essor, the Syri"n +o&ninus, either the poe&s of %rpheus or the u/)h"l "e"np %r"!les/, "n he "s1e the& to !hoose' But sin!e they i not "gree, e"!h &"1ing " ifferent !hoi!e, preferring %rpheus "n our the /%r"!les/, Syri"nus, ;ho "lso h" not long to live, ;"s prevente ' $$
$$

Vita Procli, !h' 2:'

#his report is isturbing not only on "!!ount of its portr"y"l of "n unsee&ly ish"r&ony bet;een Syri"nus/ pupils in the l"st "ys of their &"ster/s life' 5ore is!on!erting is the suggestion th"t the su!!essor of Syri"nus ;"s not the young "n brilli"nt Pro!lus, but +o&ninus' <o;ever, it is possible th"t the phr"se /the philosopher "n su!!essor/ in 5"rinus is in f"!t " &"rgin"l gloss e8pl"ining the ;or /hi&/ in the te8t, " gloss ;hi!h, "s freBuently h"ppens, ;"s l"ter in!orpor"te in the bo y of the te8t' $%
$%

<ults!h 3190.4, 1.22F S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat' I, 8vii68i8'

Sin!e this is the only pie!e of evi en!e in f"vour of +o&ninus/ su!!ession to Syri"nus, "n sin!e, in one interpret"tion, it !"n be set "si e, it oes not provi e " strong enough b"sis for !l"i&ing th"t +o&ninus, not Pro!lus, su!!ee e Syri"nus' $&
$&

Pro!lus/ su!!ession to Syri"nus is "tteste else;here in 5"rinus/ Vita Procli 3!hs' 12, 3:4F !f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1, lo!' !it'

<o;ever the is"gree&ent bet;een Pro!lus "n +o&ninus ;"s !le"r, "n it ;ent further' Pro!lus ;rote " spe!i"l tre"tise ire!te "g"inst +o&ninus, in ;hi!h he /purifie / Pl"to/s o!trines' $'
$'

+"&"s!ius, Vita Isidori 191, 2 ff'

#hus +o&ninus ;"s reg"r e "s " /hereti!/ ;ho !orrupte the Pl"toni! herit"ge, ;hi!h therefore reBuire , "s it h" in Nu&enius/ ti&e, purifi!"tion' 0e "re not tol of the n"ture of the !orruption for ;hi!h +o&ninus ;"s "llege ly

responsible' +"&"s!ius, pupil of *&&onius "n of 5"rinus, "llo;s +o&ninus &"the&"ti!"l s1ill but fin s hi& " superfi!i"l philosopher' $(
$(

+"&"s!ius, lo!' !it'

*n e8"&ple of +o&ninus/ in" eBu"!y "s " philosopher is given2 the or"!le of *s!lepius "t *thens pres!ribe to +o&ninus "n to Plut"r!h, Syri"nus/ te"!her, the e"ting of por1 to !ure the& of "n illness' +o&ninus uly !"rrie out the pres!ription "lthough it viol"te the l"; of his l"n 3so +"&"s!ius4, ;here"s Plut"r!h got the or"!le to !o&e up ;ith " pres!ription &ore !o&p"tible ;ith religious beliefs' $)
$)

Vita Isidori 183, 8 ff'F !f' the *r"bi! Commentary on the Golden Verses "ttribute to Pro!lus, 11'

#he story not only isso!i"tes +o&ninus

en p'1--

fro& the ortho o8 tr" ition running fro& Plut"r!h through Syri"nus to Pro!lus, but "lso points to " hereti!"l tr"it in +o&ninus ;hi!h I"&bli!hus h" foun before in Porphyry2 " f"ilure to t"1e religious pr"!ti!es seriously "n to re!on!ile the& ;ith other sour!es of ivine revel"tion' It is thus "g"inst I"&bli!he"n !riteri" for the true philosopher th"t +o&ninus ;"s foun ;"nting' )onsi ering the purge ;hi!h +o&ninus suffere "t the h"n s of Pro!lus, it is re&"r1"ble th"t so&e of his ;or1, "lbeit little, h"s survive ' It is no oubt ue to its pe "gogi!"l e8!ellen!e th"t +o&ninus/ short Manual of Introductory Arithmetic ;"s preserve in !o&p"ny ;ith other &"the&"ti!"l intro u!tions su!h "s Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction to Arithmetic, Ni!o&"!hus/ Manual of 7armonics, "n 7u!li /s lements' $*
$*

)f' #"nnery 3190:4, 2:263'

+o&ninus/ &"nu"l provi es " very !le"r "n si&ple e8pl"n"tion of the &"in ter&s, !on!epts, "n istin!tions in the theory of nu&bers' #he !on!ision "n or erliness of his e8position is not interrupte by e8tr"6&"the&"ti!"l inferen!es or le"rne " itions su!h "s "ppe"r in Ni!o&"!hus/ Introduction "n in I"&bli!hus/ version of Ni!o&"!hus 3On Pyth' I(4' +o&ninus/ use of 7u!li e"n i e"s in his Manual h"s even provo1e " &o ern " &irer to see in his ;or1 " reGe!tion of the Ni!o&"!he"n tr" ition of "rith&eti! "s perpetu"te by I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus "n " return to the /&"the&"ti!"lly soun er/ 7u!li e"n "ppro"!h to "rith&eti!' $.
$.

#"nnery 3188-4, 109 ff'F 3190:4, 2.9 ff'

#his see&s e8"gger"te 2 +o&ninus &"1es e8tensive use of Ni!o&"!hus in his Manual "n his !hief !ontribution !onsists in the !l"rity "n si&pli!ity "bsolutely essenti"l to " ;or1 "s short "s his' $/
$/

)f' <ults!h 3190.4, 1.236-, ;ith his gener"l esti&"te of the ;or1, 1.2.F +o&ninus is "lso is!usse in so&e et"il by Dlein 319:84, 326:F 7bbesen 319814, 2.162'

*t the en of the Manual he pro&ises "n lements of Arithmetic 3 N^T]PNb OPVNd cONR4, prob"bly " &ore "&bitious proGe!t in ;hi!h he inten e to e8pl"in, "&ong other things, &"the&"ti!"l theories in Pl"to' %0
%0

+o&ninus, Manual -2869F $uelle/s suggestion 318834, 83, th"t the other short surviving &"the&"ti!"l pie!e "ttribute to +o&ninus is " !h"pter fro& the lements of Arithmetic see&s unli1ely2 it is " self6!ont"ine te!hni!"l solution to " spe!ifi! &"the&"ti!"l proble& 3the "ttribution to +o&ninus is Buestione by #"nnery K188.-L, 1394'

2' Pl"to "n Pyth"gor"s

#he ispute ;ith +o&ninus h" little effe!t on Pro!lus/ profession"l !"reer' 0h"tever iffi!ulties it &ight suggest ;ere soon over!o&e "s
en p'1-.

Pro!lus Bui!1ly est"blishe his position "t the he" of the Pl"toni! s!hool "t *thens' #he effe!t of the !onfli!t on Pro!lus/ intelle!tu"l life is less e"sily g"uge sin!e so little is 1no;n of +o&ninus/ i e"s "n of the et"ils of Pro!lus/ "rgu&ent ;ith hi&' #he reports of Pro!lus/ su!!essors !onsi ere "bove, if they &"y be t"1en to refle!t the &"ster/s vie;, suggest th"t Pro!lus felt it ne!ess"ry to insist on the proper 3I"&bli!he"n4 "!!ept"n!e of religious !usto&s in the f"!e of +o&ninus/ hetero o8 pr"!ti!e, "n on the pl"!e "n 3espe!i"lly4 li&its of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy' #he l"tter point ;ill be is!usse in &ore et"il belo;' It ;ill be "ppropri"te, ho;ever, to begin our stu y of Pro!lus ;ith so&e !onsi er"tion of his vie;s on the n"ture, fun!tion, "n history of philosophy' <is vie;s on these topi!s "re in gener"l the s"&e, it ;oul "ppe"r, "s those of I"&bli!hus "n of Syri"nus' %ne oes not h"ve to re" f"r into his &"Gor !o&&ent"ries to fin Pyth"gore"ns "n %rphi!s Buote "s "uthorities supporting Pl"to' *ristotle is given " subor in"te pl"!e2 he is so&eti&es right, freBuently &ist"1en' %$
%$

Belo;, )h' 9'

It is "ssu&e th"t true ,ree1 philosophy "grees ;ith, "n !"n be illustr"te by, the inspire poetry of <o&er "n <esio "n the b"rb"ri"n revel"tions of the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/' %%
%%

%n Pro!lus/ tre"t&ent of inspire poetry "n its rel"tion to Syri"nus/ theory, !f' Shepp"r 319804, 9. ff', 1:2682'

* te8t fro& the opening of the Platonic !heology 3I, !h' ., 2., 2-62:, 94 &"y serve to in i!"te in p"rti!ul"r the rel"tion bet;een Pyth"gor"s "n Pl"to2 But ;e &ust sho; th"t e"!h of these o!trines is in h"r&ony ;ith the first prin!iples of Pl"to "n ;ith the se!ret revel"tions of the theologi"ns' For "ll ,ree1 theology erives fro& %rphi! &yst"gogy, Pyth"gor"s first 3Z PV[4 le"rning fro& *gl"ophe&us the se!rets !on!erning the go s, Pl"to "fter hi& 3M [P V[4 re!eiving the !o&plete s!ien!e of the go s fro& Pyth"gore"n "n %rphi! ;ritings' For in "ttributing in the Phile-us the o!trine of the t;o 1in s of prin!iples to the Pyth"gore"ns, he !"lls the& / ;ellers ;ith the go s/ 31: ! 84 "n blesse ' In ee Philol"us the Pyth"gore"n h"s ;ritten &"ny ;on erful things "bout these '

Pl"to/s theology, or s!ien!e of the ivine, is then Pyth"gore"n in inspir"tion' Pro!lus/ "uthority for this, "s the referen!e to *gl"ophe&us in i!"tes, is the s"&e "s th"t use for the s"&e purpose by I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, n"&ely the 3pseu o64 Pyth"gore"n Sacred
en p'1-:

"iscourse' %&
%&

)f' S"ffrey "n 0esterin1/s note " lo!'

#he Sacred "iscourse is "lso referre to "s the "uthority for the %rphi! "n Pyth"gore"n sour!e of ,ree1, i'e' Pl"toni!, theology in the Commentary on the !imaeus 3III 1:1, 36:4' In )h"pter 9 belo; evi en!e ;ill be presente sho;ing th"t in the Commentary on the !imaeus Pro!lus "lso reg"r s Pl"to/s physi!s "s /Pyth"gore"n/' Fin"lly, in provi ing v"lu"ble infor&"tion on the history of &"the&"ti!s in his Commentary on uclid Pro!lus gives Pyth"gor"s " pivot"l role2 he !re its hi& ;ith the intro u!tion of " philosophi!"l "ppro"!h to geo&etry, "s !o&p"re ;ith the non6philosophi!"l "ppro"!h th"t pre!e e it2 %'
%'

In ucl3 :., 1.619F this h"s been note by Breton 319:94, 2.69'

*fter these Pyth"gor"s tr"nsfor&e the un erst"n ing u/philosophy/p of geo&etry so th"t it !oul serve to e u!"te the free &"n, e8"&ining its first prin!iples fro& " b"sis tr"ns!en ing the& "n investig"ting the theore&s in "n i&&"teri"l "n intelle!tu"l &"nner' In other ;or s Pyth"gor"s r"ise geo&etry to the role &"the&"ti!s is given in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic2 to intro u!e the soul to i&&"teri"l re"lityF to re!eive its groun ing for the true philosopher in &ore ulti&"te prin!iples' Pro!lus "lso "!!epte his te"!her/s I"&bli!he"n un erst"n ing of the history of philosophy "s " tr" ition of the revel"tion of ivine truth by the souls not only of Pl"to, but "lso of Plotinus, Porphyry, I"&bli!hus, "n even Syri"nus hi&self' %(
%(

)f' !heol3 Plat3 I ., :69, 8F In Parm3 :18, 1613F S"ffrey 3199:4, 20-612'

<e too !onsi ers the souls of true philosophers to be superior to or in"ry souls, to be p"rti!ip"nts in the ivine vision of the Phaedrus th"t "re sent o;n to s"ve &"n1in ' #hus his interpret"tion of the figure "n fun!tion of So!r"tes in the Alci-iades, in his Commentary on th"t i"logue, is in its essenti"ls the s"&e "s Syri"nus/ tre"t&ent of So!r"tes in the Phaedrus' *lre" y the ety&ology of So!r"tes/ n"&e "s Pro!lus un erst"n s itE/s"viour of the strength of the soul/ 3In Crat3 8, 186194Ein i!"tes the n"ture of his fun!tion' #here is &u!h &ore infor&"tion to be foun in Pro!lus on the theory of superior s"ving souls, "n I sh"ll return to it in &ore et"il in the ne8t se!tion' In gener"l, then, philosophy for Pro!lus, "s for I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, is " tr" ition of ivinely reve"le truth !onveye to f"llen souls for their s"lv"tion by " sele!t, i'e' Pl"toni!, su!!ession of superior
en p'1-9

souls' In the te8ts !ite "bove it "ppe"rs "lso th"t Pl"tonis&, in theology, &"the&"ti!s, "n physi!s, !"n be re u!e to Pyth"gore"nis&' <o;ever this re u!tion, "lthough o!!urring in Pro!lus, is not "s r" i!"l "s it is in I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, "n oes not give " b"l"n!e vie; of Pro!lus/ gener"l "ttitu e to the rel"tion bet;een Pyth"gor"s "n Pl"to' *s this point is of so&e !onseBuen!e in eter&ining Pro!lus/ position ;ith respe!t to the i e"s of I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus "n rel"tes to i&port"nt &o ifi!"tions in the use he &"1es of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy, it ;ill rep"y !loser "ttention here' In re" ing Pro!lus, one soon noti!es th"t he ten s to "ttribute so &u!h i&port"n!e to Pl"to th"t Pl"to e&erges fro& the sh" o; of Pyth"gor"s "n even o&in"tes hi&' #his &"y be illustr"te fro& the very s"&e opening p"ges of the Platonic !heology in ;hi!h Pl"to/s epen en!e on /Pyth"gore"n/ theology is stresse ' 0hile in i!"ting briefly th"t Pl"toni! philosophy h" " long "n !h"nging life, Pro!lus insists th"t it ;"s one &"n, Pl"to, ;ho reve"le the se!rets of theology to &en 3., :6:, 94' #he uniBue pl"!e of Pl"to is stresse "g"in " little l"ter 313, 8 ff'4, ;here Pro!lus !l"i&s th"t ;h"t istinguishes Pl"to/s theology fro& th"t of the %rphi!s, Pyth"gore"ns, "n )h"l "e"ns is its s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter 320, -62.4' Pro!lus is thin1ing here of the s!ien!e of i"le!ti! ;hi!h he t"1es to be the proper s!ien!e of theologi!"l obGe!ts "n ;hi!h he fin s e8poun e in p"rti!ul"r in Pl"to/s Parmenides' <e "ssu&es th"t su!h " s!ien!e is not to be foun in the Pyth"gore"ns, ;ho e&ploy "n inferior "ppro"!h, n"&ely &"the&"ti!"l "n"logies ire!te up;"r s to the ivine 3lo!' !it'4' #hus, fro& " s!ientifi! point6of6vie;, Pl"to/s i"le!ti! is superior "s theology to the &"the&"ti!"l theology of the Pyth"gore"ns' * si&il"r ten en!y to pl"y o;n the s!ientifi! !l"i&s of the Pyth"gore"ns !"n "lre" y be foun in the e"rly "n &ost Pyth"gore"ni?ing of Pro!lus/ ;or1s, the Commentary on the !imaeus2 there Pro!lus !h"r"!teri?es the Pyth"gore"n "ppro"!h "s lofty, inspire , sy&boli!, "n"gogi!, re*elatory, ;here"s th"t of So!r"tes is ethi!"l, demonstrati*e 3 ZVM NbPNb U4F in the !imaeus Pl"to !o&bines the revel"tory style of Pyth"gore"nis& ;ith the e&onstr"tive &etho of So!r"tes 319, 2168, -4' %ne ;ill re" ily "gree ;ith Pro!lus th"t Pl"to/s i"logues e&bo y s!ientifi! &etho f"r &ore th"n o su!h suppose ly e"rly Pyth"gore"n ;or1s "s the Sacred "iscourse' But Pro!lus/ re!ognition of this f"!t i&plies " signifi!"nt rev"lu"tion of the respe!tive i&port"n!e of Pyth"gor"s "n Pl"to, "n " note;orthy ep"rture fro& I"&bli!hus/ position' For I"&bli!hus, Pyth"gor"s ;"s the first /s!ientifi!/ philosopher'
en p'1-8

<en!e Pyth"gore"n liter"ture ;"s to be seen "s the st"n "r "g"inst ;hi!h the rest of ,ree1 philosophy, in!lu ing Pl"to, ;"s to be re" ' Pl"to ;"s &" e &ore /s!ientifi!/, i'e' &ore Pyth"gore"n, through " syllogi?ing of his i"logues' For Pro!lus, ho;ever, Pl"to h" gre"ter !l"i&s to being s!ientifi!' *s " !onseBuen!e Pl"to/s i"logues re!eive " pri&"!y "n !entr"lity in Pro!lus/ philosophy th"t go beyon ;h"t is "llo;e for by I"&bli!hus/ position' Spe!ifi! e8pressions "n

!onseBuen!es of this i&port"nt shift in perspe!tive ;ill be en!ountere further on' #his !ontr"st bet;een Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus &ust not, ho;ever, be e8"gger"te ' It ;oul be &isle" ing to !on!lu e, for e8"&ple, th"t Pro!lus h" oubts "bout the "uthenti!ity "n priority of the Pyth"gore"n o!u&ents invo1e by I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus' *p"rt fro& the Sacred "iscourse "n Philol"us 3his f"vourite Pyth"gore"n "uthority4, Pro!lus &"1es use of the Golden Verses, #i&"eus of =o!ri, the 7ymn to Num-er, "n other si&il"r 3pseu o64 Pyth"gore"n ;or1s' %)
%)

)f' In !im3 I 199, 36-F 203, 2.69F 31:, 1862-F II 8, 9610F .3, 269 3for #i&"eus of =o!ri !f' belo;, )h' 94F In 'emp3 II :9, 263' Pro!lus/ usu"l pr"!ti!e, ho;ever, is to !ite /the Pyth"gore"ns/ in gener"l, r"ther th"n spe!ifi! Pyth"gore"n "uthorities "n ;or1s' *n e8!eption is Philol"us, ;ho is single out in p"rti!ul"r, it "ppe"rs, for his !loseness to Pl"to/s Phile-usF !f' !heol3 Plat3 I 2:, -69F III 30, 19623 3;ith S"ffrey "n 0esterin1/s note, 120 n' 84'

Nor !"n it be inferre th"t Pro!lus ;ent so f"r "s to fin " o!trin"l ifferen!e bet;een Pl"to "n Pyth"gore"nis&' $"ther, "s I"&bli!hus believe th"t Pyth"gor"s first g"ve s!ientifi! for& to revel"tions of gre"t 3)h"l "e"n, 7gypti"n4 "ntiBuity, so Pro!lus in!lu e %rphis& "n Pyth"gore"nis& in the "n!ient revel"tions "n first foun s!ientifi! e8pression of the& in Pl"to'

3' #he #heory of Superior Souls

%ften enough it h"s been note th"t Pro!lus, follo;ing I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, i not "!!ept Plotinus/ !ontention th"t p"rt of the hu&"n soul re&"ins /"bove/ in the intelligible ;orl even ;hen the soul es!en s in its preo!!up"tion ;ith the &"teri"l ;orl ' %*
%*

)f' +o

s/s !o&&ents 33094, in Pro!lus, l3 theol3F "bove, p' 38F S"ffrey 3198-4, 1:-6:'

<"r ly "ny noti!e h"s been t"1en, ho;ever, of the f"!t th"t !ert"in Bu"lifi!"tions nee to be intro u!e into this vie; of Pro!lus/ position' For hi& so&e souls possess " privilege !onne!tion ;ith the tr"ns!en ent
en p'1-9

;orl in virtue of ;hi!h they !"n in their es!ent reve"l truth "n bring "bout the return of souls th"t h"ve f"llen fro& their intelligible /f"therl"n /' *spe!ts of this theory h"ve been en!ountere "bove in I"&bli!hus, <iero!les, "n Syri"nus' It !"n be foun es!ribe in so&e et"il in " nu&ber of Pro!lus/ surviving ;or1s ;hi!h thus "llo; of " fuller es!ription "n !l"rifi!"tion of the theory "t le"st in the version th"t it "ssu&es in Pro!lus' #he Commentary on the !imaeus is!usses "t v"rious points the ifferent egrees in the es!ent of the soul in the ;orl ' *t the top Pro!lus pl"!es the souls of the go s th"t o not es!en into the ;orl , but govern it fro& "bove ;ithout being "ffe!te or !h"nge in "ny ;"y in their tr"ns!en ent in epen en!e' %.

%.

%n these !f' +o

s, op' !it' 29.6:'

#hese ivine souls "re /"!!o&p"nie / ;ithout interruption by lo;er souls ;ho never es!en ' Belo; these !o&e souls ;ho o es!en , but re&"in pure 3 d QUPVR4, unt"rnishe by vi!e "n "ffe!tions' *n these "re follo;e in turn by souls ;ho not only es!en but "lso be!o&e !orrupte by the &"teri"l ;orl ' %/
%/

III 2.9, 11629F !f' I 131, 286132, .F II 112, 236. 3s"&e theory in In Alc' vv 32, 1363-, 104' #he syste&"ti! tri" i! "rr"nge&ent of everything in the l3 theol3 le"ves no roo& for the istin!tion bet;een the thir "n fourth egrees in th"t ;or1 3!f' Propositions 18., 202, 20-4'

Fro& the first t;o egrees of this stru!ture it !"n be seen th"t it represents " for&"li?"tion of the ivine !o&p"ny of go s "n their follo;ers, unf"llen "n f"llen, of the Phaedrus' &0
&0

)f' +o

s, op' !it' 29:'

#he Commentary else;here provi es &ore et"ils on the !l"ss of es!en e but pure souls2 they "!!o&plish gre"t things in the ;orl 3I 111, 1-6194F their es!ent is "!!o&p"nie by n"tur"l portents 3113, -694Eone thin1s of su!h portents "s I"&bli!hus re!ounts in On the Pythagorean LifeF they "re !"lle /heroes/ by Pl"to 3II 230, 9694Ethe referen!e is to Cratylus 399 , "s ;ill soon be !le"rF "n , &ost i&port"ntly, they possess in their es!ent " superior 1no;le ge inspire in the& by the go s2 the e8"&ples of the Sibyl "n <er"!les "re given' &$
&$

III 1.9, 2961:0, 12F !f' "lso In Alc' vv 132, 106133F 13F "e pro*3 v 19'

<er"!les is n"&e "g"in in the notes t"1en fro& Pro!lus/ !o&&ents on Cratylus 399 2 there he is one of " !l"ss of /heroi! souls/ ;ho es!en into the &"teri"l ;orl but re&"in pure 3 d QUPVR4 "n &ore insightful 3UV P VR4 th"n other es!en e souls' Su!h heroi! souls es!en so "s to benefit 3 \ O Q4 &"n1in , sh"ring "s they o in the p"rt th"t /;eighs/ &"n o;n, but "lso in the po;er to le" up "n es!"pe fro& &"tter 3In Crat3 :8, 196294' #hese souls "re /heroes/ or
en p'1.0

/ e&ons/, ho;ever, by rel"tion 3Od O N4, not by n"ture 3 O N42 in their higher st"tus "s souls they !"n be compared to heroes "n e&ons ;hi!h, ho;ever, "re ontologi!"lly ifferent "n superior, "n !orrespon , it "ppe"rs, to the souls th"t !ontinuously follo; the go s of the Commentary on the !imaeus' &%
&%

In Crat3 :8, 13619F 99, 1-618F !f' In 'emp3 II 310, 18621F +o s, lo!' !it' #he e&ons "n heroes proper "lso pl"y " role in elev"ting &"n 3 In Crat3 9., 1969:, -4, "s e8e&plifie for e8"&ple in 7ros/ "!tion on So!r"tes 3"bove, p' 12:4'

#he theory of superior souls is foun "lso in the ess"ys of the Commentary on the 'epu-lic, in p"rti!ul"r in the si8teenth ess"y' #here, in is!ussing the figure of 7r in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic, Pro!lus "ppe"rs to hesit"te "s to ;hether 7r possesses " soul superior in su-stance to other hu&"n souls or &erely superior in 1in of life 3II 123, 23612-, 124' Pro!lus prefers, it see&s, to "ssign to 7r " superior subst"n!e' *t "ny r"te, through his superiority, 7r ;"s given the po;er by the go s to re!eive the vision ;hi!h he i&p"rts in the 'epu-lic 3123, 1-612-, 84' * little l"ter Pro!lus &entions other souls ;ho h"ve !o&&uni!"te to &en ivine

&ysteries, ivin"tion, &e i!ine ' ' ' 31.3, .61.-, .4' <e oes not &"1e !le"r the ontologi!"l r"n13s4 of su!h souls, but suggests th"t soul !"n be r"ise to " superior r"n1 by the ivine theurgi! po;er in the universe "s ;ell "s by philosophy 31.-, 16124' =ess !o&p"tible ;ith the !l"ssifi!"tions of the Commentaries on the !imaeus "n on the Cratylus is the theory presente l"ter in the s"&e ess"y 3331, 106332, 34 th"t /heroi! souls/, superior in being to hu&"n souls, es!en into "n "ssu&e " hu&"n e8isten!e' If these heroi! souls ;ere to !orrespon to the souls of the heroes proper &entione in Pro!lus/ other t;o !o&&ent"ries, then they ought not to es!en ' Neither o they !orrespon to the /heroi! souls/ th"t o!!ur in those ;or1s ;hi!h "re superior in rel"tion, but not in being, to other hu&"n souls' It see&s ;e &ust suppose th"t the psy!hi! hier"r!hy is &ore !o&pli!"te th"n it "t first "ppe"rs, "n in!lu es un es!en ing heroes, es!en ing heroes in hu&"n for&, es!en ing pure hu&"n souls, "n es!en ing i&pure hu&"n souls' %r one &ight infer th"t Pro!lus !h"nge his &in in his interpret"tion of the ontologi!"l r"n1 of the heroi! !o&&uni!"tors of ivine truth to &"n' #he l"tter possibility &ight "!!ount for the ifferen!e bet;een the i e"s of the si8teenth ess"y "n the f"irly st"n "r o!trine of the !o&&ent"ries on the !imaeus+ Cratylus, "n Alci-iades' But the f"!t th"t the v"rious "!!ounts of the o!trine in these !o&&ent"ries "re not ne!ess"rily e8h"ustive &"1es it iffi!ult to be !ert"in "bout this'
en p'1.1

#he istin!tion in being bet;een 3hu&"n4 /heroi! souls/ "n heroes or e&ons proper ent"ils of !ourse " gre"ter istin!tion bet;een su!h souls "n the go s' Pro!lus e&ph"si?es the l"tter istin!tion in the Commentary on the !imaeus in "rguing "g"inst Plotinus/ vie; 3"s he un erst"n s it4 th"t f"llen hu&"n souls "re i enti!"l in n"ture ;ith those of the go s 3III 2-., 1962-:, 234' It nevertheless re&"ins th"t in "llo;ing for higher insight "n ivine inspir"tion in " certain !l"ss of es!en e souls, Pro!lus preserves "t le"st for p"rt of hu&"nity th"t "!!ess to higher truth th"t Plotinus/ theory ;"s esigne to &"1e possible' &&
&&

%ne &ight "lso &ention in this reg"r Pro!lus/ o!trine of the /flo;er/ of the soul ;hi!h, in provi ing "n ontologi!"l lin1 ;ith the tr"ns!en ent, "lso &itig"tes his "nti6Plotini"n positionF !f' ,ron iGs 319:04, 39 ff'F Beier;"ltes 319:34, 2:16:F 3198.4, 19-682'

-' =e"rning, +is!overy, "n $evel"tion

Besi es provi ing &ore et"ils on the ontologi!"l !h"r"!ter "n pl"!e of the superior es!en e souls ;ho !o&&uni!"te insight to &"n, Pro!lus "lso thro;s light on so&e proble&s !onne!te ;ith their s"ving &ission' %ne of these proble&s h"s been r"ise "bove in P"rt I on the subGe!t of I"&bli!hus/ interpret"tion of the figure of Pyth"gor"s2 Pyth"gor"s is s"i to h"ve / is!overe / &"ny things, but ho; is this to be rel"te to the i&pression given th"t he le"rnt &u!h fro& the 7gypti"ns "n )h"l "e"ns "n ;ith the !l"i& th"t he 3&erely4 reve"le ivinely inspire truths> *nother proble& &"y "lso be r"ise 2 !"n f"llen souls, by their o;n effortsE"s "ppe"rs to be the !"se in PlotinusEreturn to true

intelligible insight, or o they epen entirely on the intervention of superior souls to &"1e their return possible> 5u!h help ;ith these Buestions !"n be foun in Pro!lus/ Commentary on the Alci-iades ;hi!h, in so f"r "s it is!usses the inter"!tion bet;een So!r"tes "n *l!ibi" es in the i"logue, is l"rgely evote to e8pl"ining the proble&s "n &etho s of " philosophi!"l, i'e' soteriologi!"l, e u!"tion' It is !le"r fro& Pro!lus/ !o&&ent"ry, first of "ll, th"t le"rning fro& "nother "n is!overing by oneself "re not to be istinguishe in su!h " ;"y "s to represent "ltern"tives in the "!Buisition of 1no;le ge' $"ther, both le"rning "n is!overy "re to be un erstoo "s " pro!ess of re!olle!tion2 in le"rning, the pupil is gui e by the te"!her so "s to
en p'1.2

is!over ;ithin hi&self the 1no;le ge th"t is inn"te in his soul' 5ore " v"n!e souls "lso is!over the 1no;le ge inn"te in the&, but "re !"p"ble of this ;ithout h"ving so &u!h re!ourse to " te"!her' #here "re therefore egrees in le"rning6 is!overy rel"ting to the egrees to ;hi!h the souls h"ve f"llen2 "t lo;er egrees souls reBuire te"!hers "n gui es to "rouse or provo1e in the& the is!overy ;hi!h is self6 is!overyF "t higher egrees souls "re &ore !"p"ble of su!h is!overy "n reBuire less gui "n!e' &'
&'

In Alc' vv 22., -622:, 9F 299, 106298, 13F 280, 26281, 1-'

#hese i e"s &ight be suit"bly "pplie , I believe, "s " Pro!line "!!ount of Pyth"gor"s in his role "s both s!ientifi! is!overer "n pupil of b"rb"ri"n s"ges2 his is!overy of the s!ien!es ;"s " self6 is!overy, " is!losure of the intelligible prin!iples inn"te in his soulF for this purpose, in his youth "t le"st, so&e sti&ul"tion ;"s provi e by his te"!hers, "lthough one &ust "ssu&e th"t, in vie; of the superior st"tus of his soul, his nee for this ;"s &ini&"lS Both Pyth"gor"s "n his te"!hers reve"le ivinely6inspire truths' <o;ever ;e &ust be !"reful "g"in not to set ivine inspir"tion "g"inst self6 is!overy' Pro!lus intro u!es ivine inspir"tion "s the highest egree in " hier"r!hy es!en ing through is!overy o;n to le"rning 3v 2-2, -6114' #his suggests so&e !ontinuity bet;een ivine inspir"tion "n self6 is!overy, " !ontinuity "lso i&plie in the f"!t th"t the prin!iples th"t "re the obGe!ts of self6 is!overy "re psy!hi! i&"ges of higher ivine prin!iples 3belo;, p' 1.94 "n thus "re "lre" y the&selves inspir"tions eriving fro& "bove' #hese inn"te prin!iples "re !ite , in one unfortun"tely !orrupt p"ss"ge, "s the re"son ;hy ;e nee 3or don't nee , in "nother re" ing of the p"ss"ge4 " gui e for le"rning th"t tr"ns!en s our n"ture' &(
&(

In Alc' v 23., 1.618F !f' %/Neill 319:.4, " lo!'

0h"tever the true sense of the p"ss"ge, it is Pro!lus/ gener"l vie; th"t ;e "tt"in higher truths through the gui "n!e "n &e i"tion of go s "n e&ons' *n the "n"logy bet;een our reli"n!e on superior gui "n!e for su!h insights "n the fun!tion of gui es 3te"!hers4 in self6 is!overy "g"in points to so&e !ontinuity

bet;een ivine inspir"tion "n is!overy' #hus the !o&bin"tion of revel"tion ;ith is!overy in the figure of Pyth"gor"s 3or Pl"to4 is no &ore " !ontr" i!tion th"n th"t of is!overy ;ith le"rning' #he theory of is!overy "n le"rning in the Commentary on the Alci-iades "lso points to "n "ns;er to the Buestion of the f"llen souls/ nee for gui "n!e "n te"!hing' #he egree of in ispens"bility of su!h gui "n!e &ust epen n"&ely on the egree to ;hi!h the soul h"s f"llen' Pro!lus le"ves little oubt th"t souls "t lo;er levels reBuire
en p'1.3

gui es "n te"!hers if they "re ever to "!hieve self6 is!overy' <e interprets this "!tion of the te"!her on the pupil/s soul ;ith the help of *ristotle/s "!!ount of le"rning "n of !h"nge in gener"l' #he te"!her represents the prior "!tu"lity of 1no;le ge, the &oving !"use "!tu"li?ing the potenti"l 1no;le ge in the pupil/s soul 3v 228, 1:6204, or the perfe!tion th"t brings the i&perfe!t to perfe!tion 3v 23., 106124' Pro!lus ;"rns us, ho;ever, "g"inst !ert"in inferen!es th"t this "!!ount of te"!hing &ight pro u!e' #he pupil/s soul is not " ta-ula rasa, "s in *ristotle, but possesses inn"tely the 1no;le ge th"t is le"rne , i'e' is!overe , by the pupil 3vv 299, 10618F 280, 196281, 94' Further&ore the te"!her/s "!tion on the pupil is not to be seen "s the sole "gen!y responsible for the pupil/s self6 is!overy 3v 281, 1061-42 If, then, one shoul e!l"re the &"tter "!!ur"tely, souls "re &ove by e8tern"l "gen!ies, but eter&ine of the&selves their s!ientifi! replies "n so spont"neously e&onstr"te the truth of Pl"to/s st"te&ent th"t the soul 1no;s everything in!lu ing itself "n reBuires only "n outsi e sti&ulus by &e"ns of s!ientifi! Buestions' 3%/Neill tr"nsl'4 #he pri&"ry "gent, then, of the pupil/s progress in 1no;le ge is hi&self' #o illustr"te this Pro!lus e&ph"si?es the So!r"ti! i e" th"t it is So!r"tes/ !o&p"nion ;ho refutes hi&self, ;ho brings upon hi&self the is!overy of the f"lsity of his opinions' #he situ"tion is Buite ifferent fro& th"t of irr"tion"l "ni&"ls ' ' ' /shepher e ;ith " st"ff/ 3Crit3 109 b4 ' ' ' "ll those ;ho ";"it he"ling fro& outsi e !"uses, "n ;herever the le" er le" s there the le "re le , bereft of the po;er of ruling "n s"ving the&selvesF but the hu&"n soul, on "!!ount of its pe!uli"r !h"r"!teristi! of spont"neity "n self6&ove&ent 3Phaedr' 2-. ! e4 is of su!h " n"ture "s to be "!tive in its o;n reg"r , &ove itself "n provi e itself ;ith the goo ' 3v 299, 18623F %/Neill tr"nsl'4 #o illustr"te the p"rti!ul"r 1in of "!tion ;hereby the te"!her sti&ul"tes the pupil to is!over hi&self, "!ting on the pupil in su!h " ;"y "s not to overri e the primary "gen!y for ;hi!h the pupil hi&self is responsible, Pro!lus refers to the ;"y the go s "n e&ons ;or1 upon us fro& ;ithin, not fro& ;ithout, "n in !o&&union ;ith our o;n n"tures "s self6&overs' &)
&)

vv 281, 1.620F 2-1, 1-618F !f' In Parm3 1031, 11619F #rouill"r 319.94, 33.'

#hese !onsi er"tions in i!"te th"t for Pro!lus the pri&"ry "gen!y for the s"lv"tion of f"llen souls is to be foun in their o;n selves' In this sense these souls !"n s"ve the&selves' *t the s"&e ti&e, ho;ever,
en p'1.-

"nother "gent is reBuire to provo1e the souls into self6 is!overy, " te"!her, " gui e, " soul of superior insight, " P"r&eni es, " So!r"tes, " Pl"to, " Plotinus, " Syri"nus' &*
&*

)f' In Alc3 vv 93, 16.F 133, :613F In Parm3 :19, 236:18, 13F 1030, 2263.F !heol3 Plat3 I, !h' 1'F #rouill"r 319.94, 33.68 3" goo is!ussion of the Buestion of gui "n!e "s " ;hole4F Steel 319894, on P"r&eni es/ &"ieuti! role in the Parmenides "s interprete by Pro!lus'

In this ;"y So!r"tes/ &ission of unsettling, pri!1ing, provo1ing the !iti?ens of *thens h" be!o&e "n e8pression, so&e thous"n ye"rs l"ter, in the s"&e !ity, of the ne!essity "n role of the su!!ession of / ivine/ Pl"toni! philosophers in the ;orl '
en p'1..

. Pro!lus on 5"the&"ti!s
sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
In this !h"pter Pro!lus/ "ttitu e to &"the&"ti!s ;ill be is!usse for the &ost p"rt "s it is e8presse in his Commentary on uclid' <is re!ourse in other ;or1s to &"the&"ti!s in rel"tion to physi!s "n &et"physi!s ;ill be e8"&ine in the ne8t t;o !h"pters' In these !h"pters I point "lso to !ontinuities bet;een Pro!lus/ gener"l "!!ount of &"the&"ti!s in the Commentary on uclid "n his use of &"the&"ti!s in his other ;or1s' #his presupposes, ho;ever, "n "!!ount of the philosophy of &"the&"ti!s of the Commentary on uclid in p"rti!ul"r "s !o&p"re to the philosophies of &"the&"ti!s of Ni!o&"!hus "n of I"&bli!hus, the subGe!t of the follo;ing p"ges' 0h"t survives of Pro!lus/ Commentary on uclid &"y be ivi e into four p"rts2 the first prologue 3on gener"l &"the&"ti!s4F the se!on prologue 3on geo&etry4F the e8egesis of the efinitions, postul"tes, "n "8io&s "t the he" of 7u!li /s lements IF "n !o&&ent"ry on the theore&s of 7u!li Boo1 I' $
$

Pro!lus !ert"inly inten e to go beyon lements I in his !o&&ent"ry, "lthough he &"y not h"ve !overe the ;holeF !f' <eiberg 318824, 1:-68F 5orro; 319904, 888i' 5"rinus/ intro u!tion to the "ata !"n "lso be re" "s evi en!e of the stu y of 7u!li in Pro!lus/ s!hool'

0ith the e8!eption of the lements of !heology, no other ;or1 of Pro!lus h"s been so often tr"nsl"te "n stu ie ' In p"rti!ul"r the first prologue h"s "ttr"!te &u!h interest "n " &ir"tion, fro& Depler, ;ho inserte l"rge e8tr"!ts fro& it in

his 7armonice Mundi, to Ni!ol"i <"rt&"nn, ;ho use it "s "n i&port"nt "n relev"nt &"the&"ti!"l philosophy' %
%

For "n e8"&ple of unbri le enthusi"s& for the Commentary on uclid !f' Ste!1 319-.4'

*s the !ontents of the first prologue h"ve been su&&"ri?e often enough, &
&

<"rt&"nn/s "!!ount 319094 !"n be use , "llo;"n!e being &" e for his neo6D"nti"n "ppro"!h'

I ;ill not "tte&pt "nother su&&"ry here' #here re&"in, ho;ever, so&e b"si! issues !onne!te ;ith the first prologue, the resolution of ;hi!h ;ill reBuire et"ile "n"lysis le" ing, "s I hope to sho;, to so&e ne; insights into Pro!lus/ "ssu&ptions in the first prologue'
en p'1.:

1' ,ener"l 5"the&"ti!s

3I4 I"&bli!hus/ %n Pyth"gore"nis& III "n Pro!lus/ %n 7u!li Prol' I
It h"s long been 1no;n th"t Pro!lus/ first prologue subst"nti"lly !orrespon s to the thir boo1 of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism+ On General Mathematical Science' '
'

)f' 5erl"n 319:04, 8 ff'F 5ueller 31989-4 for et"ile !o&p"risons' #he !orrespon en!es bet;een the !h"pters in Pro!lus 3the first nu&ber in e"!h set4 "n in I"&bli!hus 3the follo;ing nu&berKsL4 "re2 12 162F 22 3F 36-2 .F .2 8F 92 11612F 82 1.61:F 92 2:F 112 29F "n !o&p"re 122 9F 1.2 11 "n 3-' 3I use the !h"pter ivisions intro u!e by 5orro; in his tr"nsl"tion of Pro!lus, "n his tr"nsl"tion &u!h revise '4

#he &ost n"tur"l inferen!e fro& this ;oul see& to be th"t Pro!lus use I"&bli!hus/ te8t e8tensively in ;riting his prologue' Pro!lus "fter "ll ;"s Syri"nus/ pri?e pupilF he h" re" ;ith Syri"nus *ristotle/s Metaphysics 35"rinus, Vita Procli, !h' 134F "n it h"s been sho;n in )h"pter : "bove th"t Syri"nus, in his tre"t&ent of the Metaphysics, referre the stu ent to I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism "s " sour!e6boo1 for true 3i'e' Pyth"gore"n4 &"the&"ti!s, su&&"ri?ing in p"rti!ul"r the !ontents of Boo1 III of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1' #his inferen!e h"s not, ho;ever, been f"voure in ;h"t little is!ussion there is of the Buestion' It h"s been felt r"ther th"t Pro!lus is using, in epen ently of I"&bli!hus, "n ol er sour!e ;hi!h I"&bli!hus "lso use ' (
(

Propose by Fest" 3;ithout "rgu&ent4 in I"&bli!hus Comm3, IfF inti&"te by 5orro; 319904 in " note, 3--6.F "n evelope by v"n er 0"er en 319804' Un er the influen!e of this i e" 5ueller 31989-4 see&s isin!line to !on!lu e th"t I"&bli!hus is Pro!lus/ sour!e, "lthough he oes not see& to h"ve goo groun s "g"inst su!h " !on!lusion'

It h"s been !l"i&e , in support of this position, th"t there "re fe; verb"l p"r"llels bet;een the te8ts of Pro!lus "n of I"&bli!hus' #he f"!t th"t this !l"i& is &"nifestly untrue )

)o&p"re Pro!l' :, 1361., I"&bl' 13, 18621F Pro!l' 9, 2069, I"&bl' 18, 2:619, :F Pro!l' 8, 2.69, 2, I"&bl' 20, 16.F Pro!l' 20, 2.621, -, I"&bl' .., 1261:F Pro!l' 2., 1, I"&bl' .9, 23F Pro!l' 2., -6., I"&bl' .9, 2-6.F Pro!l' 2., 2362:, 3, I"&bl' 99, 206-F Pro!l' 29, 2968, I"&bl' 82, 11613F Pro!l' 32, 2163, I"&bl' 9, 10613F Pro!l' 3-, 2063., ., I"&bl' 8:, 2:689, .'

is not, ho;ever, enough to isprove the position it is suppose to support' 5ore e!isive "ppe"rs to be the f"!t th"t Pro!lus/ te8t is better org"ni?e , !le"rer, &ore !onsistent th"n I"&bli!hus/' #he gre"ter !l"rity, it is "ssu&e , erives fro& the origin"l sour!e "n therefore testifies to the in epen en!e of Pro!lus/ te8t ;ith respe!t to I"&bli!hus' #he origin"l sour!e h"s even been i entifie 2 ,e&inus, " &"the&"ti!i"n of
en p'1.9

the first !entury *+ ' )h"pters 169, 9, 11, "n 13 of Pro!lus/ prologue "re t"1en, it is !l"i&e , fro& ,e&inus, ;hose ;or1 re"ppe"rs in " !orrupt "n !onfuse for& in I"&bli!hus' *
*

("n er 0"er en 319804' %n ,e&inus/ "te, !f' *uG"! 3199.a4, 8i8688iv' For " et"ile !ritiBue of v"n er 0"er en !f' %/5e"r" 319884, the &"Gor points of ;hi!h "re su&&"ri?e in the follo;ing p"ges' )f' "lso 5ueller 31989a4'

#he "ssu&ption th"t the gre"ter !l"rity "n org"ni?"tion of Pro!lus/ te8t "rgues "g"inst his use of I"&bli!hus/ so&e;h"t !onfuse te8t, "n for his pro8i&ity to "n even e"rlier origin"l, is " &issible if one oes not !onsi er Pro!lus/ other ;or1s' #he i&plie eni"l th"t Pro!lus hi&self is the sour!e of the !l"rity "n org"ni?"tion of the !h"pters of the first prologue of his Commentary on uclid be!o&es i&pl"usible, ho;ever, if one refle!ts, for e8"&ple, on the s1ill Pro!lus e&onstr"tes in org"ni?ing the ;hole tr" ition of Pl"toni! &et"physi!s in his lements of !heology' In !o&p"rison to this, the t"s1 of pro u!ing " !le"rer version of I"&bli!hus ;oul h"ve been " si&ple &"tter' In ;h"t follo;s I ;oul li1e "lso to sho; th"t the thesis th"t Pro!lus/ te8t !o&es in l"rge p"rt fro& ,e&inus, not fro& I"&bli!hus, ent"ils "n"!hronis&' I sh"ll then sho; ho; " !h"pter in Pro!lus/ prologue 3!h' 84 ;hi!h is not !l"i&e for ,e&inusEfor it Buotes PlotinusErepresents " revision of the !orrespon ing !h"pter in I"&bli!hus, "n provi es infor&"tion on Pro!lus/ modus operandi in !o&posing his prologue, infor&"tion th"t yiel s "n e8pl"n"tion of v"rious ifferen!es bet;een Pro!lus/ prologue "n its I"&bli!he"n sour!e' #he !h"pters !l"i&e for ,e&inus in Pro!lus/ prologue !ont"in &"tter ;hi!h !"nnot be "te ;ithout "n"!hronis& to the first !entury *+ ' For e8"&ple the ter&inology of the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/ 3se!on !entury *+ 4 "ssi&il"te into " Neopl"toni! !onte8t 3first possible ;ith Porphyry, then fully ;or1e out by I"&bli!hus4 !"n be foun in !h' 2 3:, 94 in the referen!e to intelligible "n /hi en/ prin!iples 3b [n cU dc U4' /<i en/ is " ;or erive by the l"ter Neopl"tonists fro& the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/ "n use "s " te!hni!"l ter& for the highest intelligible !"uses' .
.

)f' Or3 Chald' 198 3;ith es Pl"!es/s referen!es4F Syri"nus, In met3 182, 2-F Pro!lus, In Crat3 32, 22 "n 28F S"ffrey "n 0esterni1/s notes in Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 III 1-.F I( 12061'

#he /,e&inus/ !h"pters in Pro!lus "lso !ont"in "rgu&ents "n theories ;hi!h !onstitute el"bor"tions on i e"s first foun in I"&bli!hus "n 3espe!i"lly4 in Syri"nus' For e8"&ple !h"pter : is evote to "rguing "g"inst the *ristoteli"n theory th"t nu&bers "re &ere "bstr"!tions fro& &"teri"l obGe!ts' In the !h"pter !orrespon ing to
en p'1.8

Pro!lus/ pre!e ing !h"pter 3Comm3 3-, 96104 I"&bli!hus briefly reGe!ts the theory of "bstr"!tion, but ;ithout "rgu&ent' In his !h"pter : 312, 9 ff'4 Pro!lus "sse&bles "rgu&ents "g"inst *ristotle2 ho; !oul &"the&"ti!"ls possess "!!ur"!y if they "re erive fro& sensible obGe!ts> 0here is the in ivisibility in &"the&"ti!"ls to be foun in sensibles ;here "ll is ivisible> <o; !oul i&&ut"ble l";s be erive fro& ever6!h"nging sensibles> <o; !oul the gener"l be prior in e&onstr"tion if it is posterior to sensible p"rti!ul"rs> So&e of these "rgu&ents, e8presse in the s"&e interrog"tive "n "!!u&ul"tive for&, "ppe"r "lre" y in Syri"nus' /
/

Syri"nus, In met3 9., 29638F 90, 19623F !f' "bove, p' 133' Pro!lus returns to the pole&i! "g"inst "bstr"!tion 3"pplie to geo&etri!"ls4 in In ucl3 -9, 12 ff'F 139, 2:61-0, 18F In Parm3 89-, 2- ff'F 980, 19 ff'

#his suggests th"t Pro!lus, in !h"pter : of his prologue, is strengthening the "nti6 *ristoteli"n position of I"&bli!hus ;ith the help of the "nti6*ristoteli"n "rgu&ents th"t he h" le"rnt fro& Syri"nus' Pro!lus "lso reGe!ts in !h"pter : the *ristoteli"n i e" th"t the soul is " ta-ula rasa 31:, 86104' It is r"ther /" t"blet th"t h"s "l;"ys been ins!ribe "n is "l;"ys ;riting itself "n being ;ritten on by intelle!t'/ Pro!lus is "ssu&ing " theory of inn"te i e"s 3here in p"rti!ul"r &"the&"ti!"ls4 th"t erive fro& intelle!t "n "re unfol e by the soul, " theory in ;hi!h *ristotle/s i&"ge of the soul "s t"blet 3\ QTTQP_N VU, "e an3 -30 " 14 is given " Pl"toni! turn' $0
$0

)f' "lso In ucl3 18:, :69F In Crat3 2:, 2:69F In Alc3 vv 299, 10618F 280, 196281, 9'

#he origin of this Pl"toni! interpret"tion of the i&"ge of the "e anima "ppe"rs to be I"&bli!hus' $$
$$

)f' Philoponus, In "e an3 .33, 2. ff'F Steel 319984, 1-8F Segon s 3198.6:4 II -3.F !f' Plotinus ( 3, -, 2063'

In the s"&e !h"pter fin"lly Pro!lus e8pl"ins &"the&"ti!"ls "s /proGe!tions/ 3Z VXVYQ 4 by the soul of inn"te intelligible prin!iples' $%
$%

In ucl3 19, 22618, -F !f' "lso 13, : ff'F .2, 20 ff'F 98, 20 ff'F 1-1, 2 ff'F belo;, pp' 20061' %n the theory of &"the&"ti!"ls "s proGe!tions in Pro!lus, !f', for e8"&ple, Breton 319:94, 28631, 111622F )h"rles 319824, 1916201F Beier;"ltes 3198.4, 2.8 ff'

#his is "g"in " theory first !le"rly foun in Syri"nus "n ;hi!h "ppe"rs to h"ve its ulti&"te origin in I"&bli!hus 3"bove, pp' 1336-4' #he pl"!e in the history of philosophy of the el"bor"te Pl"toni! episte&ology of the si8th !h"pter of Pro!lus/ prologue is not then the first !entury *+ ' It

represents r"ther " evelope st"ge of the "nti6*ristoteli"n "rgu&ents "n Pl"toni! theories first foun in Syri"nus "n ;hose ulti&"te sour!e of inspir"tion "ppe"rs to be I"&bli!hus' 0e &"y !on!lu e in other ;or s th"t the "uthor of this !h"pter is Pro!lus hi&self' #he o!!"sion th"t provo1e it !"n be foun in the
en p'1.9

!h"pter in I"&bli!hus !orrespon ing to Pro!lus/ !h"pter .2 " &ention of the *ristoteli"n theory of "bstr"!tion' #he te!hni!"l use of )h"l "e"n ter&inology in !h"pter 2 "lso sho;s th"t this !h"pter !"nnot si&ply be "te to the first !entury *+ , but in i!"tes " "te no e"rlier th"n Porphyry "n very prob"bly l"ter' #he hypothesis th"t &u!h of Pro!lus/ prologue is not b"se on I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III, but is to be "ssigne to "n e"rlier sour!e fro& ;hi!h I"&bli!hus "lso ;"s inspire , then 314 involves " nu&ber of "n"!hronis&sF 324 &"1es the Buestion"ble "ssu&ption th"t Pro!lus is not hi&self the sour!e of the gre"ter !l"rity "n or er of his prologueF "n 334 ignores the evi en!e of Syri"nus/ opinion of I"&bli!hus/ boo1 "n his re!o&&en "tion of it to stu ents "s " &"nu"l of gener"l &"the&"ti!s' *s the &ore obvious "n li1ely thesis th"t Pro!lus is using I"&bli!hus h"s not been e8"&ine in "ny et"il, it is esir"ble to !o&p"re the t;o "uthors fro& this vie;point' )h"pter : in Pro!lus !o&es "fter " !h"pter ;hi!h !orrespon s to I"&bli!hus/ te8t, but it oes not itself h"ve "ny eBuiv"lent in I"&bli!hus' #he e8pl"n"tion of this h"s "lre" y been foun 2 Pro!lus is el"bor"ting in !h"pter :, in the light of Syri"nus/ te"!hing, " efen!e of I"&bli!hus/ reGe!tion of *ristoteli"n "bstr"!tion in the !h"pter !orrespon ing to Pro!lus/ fifth !h"pter' 78pl"n"tions !"n "lso be foun fro& this point6of6vie; for other " itions "n o&issions in Pro!lus/ prologue "s !o&p"re to I"&bli!hus/ te8t' $&
$&

For e8"&ple, nothing in Pro!lus/ prologue !orrespon s to I"&bli!hus, Comm3 !h' -2 "n e8pl"n"tion of this is suggeste by " s!holiu& on I"&bli!hus/ !h"pter2 /<ere the "uthor intro u!es intelligible &"tter, "s i the Pyth"gore"ns before hi&, but Pro!lus oes not "gree ;ith the&/ 3Comm3 100, 116134' *t 8, 9 Pro!lus refers to /they !"ll ' ' ' /F ;ho /they/ "re is not "t "ll !le"r fro& Pro!lus/ te8tF ho;ever, I"&bli!hus, in the !orrespon ing !h"pter 3!h' .4, is su&&"ri?ing Pyth"gore"n o!trine'

I ;oul li1e to e8"&ine in p"rti!ul"r the !"se of !h"pter 8, ;hi!h h"s not been "ttribute to ,e&inus 3"lthough it h"s " !orrespon ing se!tion in I"&bli!hus, Comm3 !hs' 1.61:4, sin!e this !"se ;ill reve"l not only Pro!lus/ ;"y of pro!ee ing *is9:9*is I"&bli!hus/ te8t, but "lso intro u!e the&es of so&e i&port"n!e to our l"rger interests' $'
$'

)f' 5ueller/s "n"lysis 31989-4 of this !h"pterF he notes &"ny of the f"!ts th"t I ;ish to &ention'

In !o&p"ring !h"pter 8 of Pro!lus/ prologue ;ith !h"pters 1.61: of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III, one noti!es first " ifferen!e in the ;"y sour!es "re !ite ' In I"&bli!hus, for inst"n!e, ;e fin "n un e!l"re "llusion to Plotinus I 3, 3, .69 3Comm3 .., 1:6194F in Pro!lus Plotinus is n"&e "n the Plotini"n te8t is &ore !"refully repro u!e

en p'1:0

321, 206-4' %n the supposition then th"t Pro!lus is using I"&bli!hus, ;e &ust !on!lu e th"t Pro!lus re!ogni?e the Plotini"n "llusion "n repl"!e it ;ith " &ore f"ithful Buot"tion' #his is not "t "ll unli1ely2 Pro!lus, "fter "ll, ;rote " Commentary on Plotinus, " singul"r honour he reserve other;ise for the "n!ient philosophers "n theologi"ns' $(
$(

)f' 0esterin1 319.94' %f !ourse Pro!lus/ Buot"tion of Plotinus is, by &o ern st"n "r s, loose'

#he s"&e pheno&enon !"n be observe in rel"tion to the t;o "uthors/ use of Pl"to2 Pro!lus Buotes e8pli!itly "n &ore fully the te8ts of Pl"to i&pli!itly use by I"&bli!hus $)
$)

)o&p"re I"&bl' .., 8612, ;ith Pro!l' 20, 1-62:F I"&bl' .9, 236.8, -, ;ith Pro!l' 2., 3611'

"n espe!i"lly Buotes te8ts fro& Pl"to ;hi!h support "n illustr"te points &" e in I"&bli!hus' $*
$*

)o&p"re I"&bl' .., 226.:, -, ;ith Pro!l' 22, 19623, 11F I"&bl' .:, 8613, ;ith Pro!l' 2-, -620'

If then Pro!lus is in ee using I"&bli!hus, he is t"1ing " v"nt"ge of his i&&ense le"rning to revise the te8t by n"&ing, Buoting &ore fully, "n supple&enting I"&bli!hus/ un e!l"re sour!es' * !loser !o&p"r"tive e8"&in"tion of the !h"pters in Buestion in Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus strengthens the i&pression th"t Pro!lus is re;or1ing, e8p"n ing, "n !l"rifying the I"&bli!he"n !h"pters' Both "uthors "re !on!erne ;ith sho;ing the i&port"n!e of &"the&"ti!s for theology 3&et"physi!s4, physi!s, politi!s, ethi!s, "n the pro u!tive "rts' #he I"&bli!he"n te8t h"s been su&&"ri?e "bove 3pp' -8, .04F I sh"ll therefore !onfine &yself here to noting so&e of the ifferen!es in Pro!lus/ version' >a? !heology' *fter his un e!l"re "llusion to Plotinus I 3, 3 I"&bli!hus !on!lu es his se!tion on this subGe!t thus2 /For "ll su!h things provi e " &"Gor st"rting point for 1no;le ge of beings "n intelligibles/ 3.., 21624' <"ving n"&e "n Buote Plotinus &ore fully, Pro!lus s"ys2 But th"t &"the&"ti!s pro u!es " !ontribution of the first or er to philosophy is !le"r fro& these points' But it is ne!ess"ry to re!"ll the in ivi u"l "n sho; th"t for theology &"the&"ti!s prep"res intelle!tu"l insight' For those truths "bout the go s th"t "re iffi!ult for i&perfe!t &in s to is!over "n un erst"n , these &"the&"ti!"l theories, through i&"ges, sho; to be trust;orthy, evi ent, "n irrefut"ble' $.
$.

)f' In Parm3 92:, 1:629'

For they sho; the i&"ges in nu&bers of the !h"r"!ters of ;h"t tr"ns!en s being, reve"ling in is!ursive obGe!ts the po;ers of intelle!tu"l figures' #hus
en p'1:1

Pl"to e8pl"ins to us &"ny ;on erful o!trines "bout the go s by &e"ns of &"the&"ti!"l for&s, "n the philosophy of the Pyth"gore"ns !on!e"ls its se!ret theologi!"l initi"tion using su!h veils' Su!h "lso is the entire Sacred "iscourse, the 5acchae of Philol"us, "n the ;hole "ppro"!h of Pyth"gor"s/ e8egesis !on!erning the go s' 321, 2.622, 1:4 0ith this Pro!lus en s his theologi!"l se!tion' 0h"t is " ition"l here in Pro!lus, it is !le"r, is " re!"pitul"tion of the &"Gor point !on!erning the theologi!"l

relev"n!e of &"the&"ti!s "s e8poun e by I"&bli!hus, ;ith the " ition of so&e referen!es' #he !ontr"st i&plie in the l"tter bet;een Pl"to/s e8pl"n"tions "n the se!retiveness of Pyth"gore"n initi"tion ;ill not "ppe"r fortuitous if seen in !onne!tion ;ith Pro!lus/ istin!tion, foun else;here 3"bove, p' 1-84 bet;een Pl"to/s s!ientifi! "n the Pyth"gore"n &ysti!"l "ppro"!h' >-? Physics' Pro!lus lists &ost of the &"the&"ti!"l "spe!ts of physi!s th"t o!!ur in I"&bli!hus' <o;ever I"&bli!hus/ /"n"logy th"t tr"vels throughout everything in n"ture/ 3.., 2.4 "ppe"rs in &ore !orre!t Pl"toni! for& in Pro!lus "s the /"n"logy th"t bin s together everything in the ;orl , "s #i&"eus s"ys so&e;here ' ' ' / 322, 196214' * little l"ter Pro!lus returns to the !imaeus to illustr"te further the &"the&"ti!"l stru!turing of n"ture 323, 26114, ;here"s I"&bli!hus en s his se!tion ;ith " v"gue referen!e to /noble stu ents of n"ture ;ho st"rt fro& first prin!iples/ 3.:, 36-4' I"&bli!hus/ gener"l referen!e, inten e presu&"bly to !over "ll sorts of "n!ient Pyth"gore"n !os&ology, is n"rro;e in Pro!lus so "s to refer spe!ifi!"lly to Pl"to/s !imaeus' >c? Politics and thics' #he !hief ifferen!e here is the use &" e of Pl"to in Pro!lus 323, 1262-, 204 to illustr"te "n el"bor"te on points &" e &ore briefly in I"&bli!hus 3.:, -6134' >d? !he Arts' Pro!lus/ tre"t&ent of theoreti!"l "rts 32-, 23694 is &u!h shorter th"n the se!tion on this in I"&bli!hus 3.9, 96224, but it &"1es I"&bli!hus/ point &ore !le"rly "n n"&es the "rt I"&bli!hus is is!ussing, rhetori!' *s for pro u!tive "rts I"&bli!hus s"ys &erely 3.9, 226342 /for pro u!tive "rts h"s the r"n1 of p"r" ig&/, ;here"s Pro!lus tells us2 /for pro u!tive "rts h"s the r"n1 of p"r" ig&, gener"ting before in itself the prin!iples "n &e"sures of ;h"t "re pro u!e / 32-, 2962., 34' #he "ll6too6brief st"te&ent in I"&bli!hus be!o&es, ;ith the further ;or s in Pro!lus,
en p'1:2

intelligible' Fin"lly, on the subGe!t of the pr"!ti!"l "rts, Pro!lus &"1es e8pli!itly 32., :694 the use i&pli!itly &" e in I"&bli!hus 3.9, 2:694 of Pl"to/s Phile-us' #he ifferen!es then bet;een Pro!lus/ !h"pter 8 "n the !orrespon ing p"rt of I"&bli!hus/ boo1 !"n be "!!ounte for "s eriving fro& " esire on Pro!lus/ p"rt to !l"rify, e8pl"in, "n o!u&ent I"&bli!hus/ te8t' #he re"sons for his syste&"ti! intro u!tion of p"ss"ges fro& Pl"to ;ill only be!o&e fully !le"r ;hen his vie;s on the rel"tions bet;een 7u!li "n Pl"to "re e8"&ine ' But "lre" y " istin!tive ten en!y of Pro!lus th"t h"s been noti!e else;here, n"&ely his in!lin"tion to see Pl"to "s &ore s!ientifi! "n the Pyth"gore"ns "s &ore &ysti!"l, h"s e&erge in our !o&p"risons' #his result in i!"tes th"t the ifferen!es in Pro!lus/ te8t *is9:9*is I"&bli!hus/ boo1 "re to be t"1en "s e8pressions of Pro!lus/ o;n preferen!es' #he stu y of !h"pter : of Pro!lus/ prologue, in the !ritiBue of the ,e&inus theory "bove, "lso sho;s th"t this !h"pter is to be un erstoo "s "n el"bor"tion of I"&bli!hus/ te8t in the light of ;h"t Pro!lus h" le"rnt fro& Syri"nus "n evelope further'

0e &"y !on!lu e then th"t the supposition th"t Pro!lus use I"&bli!hus ire!tly in !o&posing his prologue yiel s s"tisf"!tory results in the !"se of the t;o !h"pters e8"&ine ' Fro& this vie;point the si&il"rities "n ifferen!es bet;een the te8ts of Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus !"n be e8pl"ine ' In ee so&e of the ifferen!es refle!t i e"s !h"r"!teristi! of Pro!lus "n his te"!her Syri"nus' #he revisions th"t these ifferen!es i&ply "re "lso !o&p"tible ;ith ;h"t is other;ise 1no;n of Pro!lus/ s1ill "s " philosophi!"l ;riter' *n his use of I"&bli!hus is &" e in "ny !"se e8tre&ely li1ely through ;h"t h"s been sho;n !on!erning Syri"nus/ use "n re!o&&en "tion of I"&bli!hus/ boo1' %n the other h"n the "ttribution of so&e !h"pters in Pro!lus !orrespon ing to I"&bli!hus to "n e"rlier sour!e h"s been sho;n to be unten"ble' $/
$/

I o not &e"n to eny th"t Pro!lus uses ,e&inus, &erely th"t the !h"pters in Pro!lus !orrespon ing to I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 "re t"1en, not fro& I"&bli!hus, but fro& ,e&inus' It is ;orth p"ying "ttention to the ;"y in ;hi!h Pro!lus intro u!es ,e&inus in the first prologue2 he is n"&e "s " proponent of " ivision of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es other th"n th"t of the Pyth"gore"ns 338, 16-4, i'e' th"t of Ni!o&"!hus repro u!e by I"&bli!hus 3 Comm3 !h' 94 "n su&&"ri?e by Pro!lus in the pre!e ing p"ges 33., 19 ff'4' #he for&er ivision is "llu e to by I"&bli!hus 39., 226-4, but Pro!lus gives it " represent"tive, ,e&inus' *g"in Pro!lus is !l"rifying "n o!u&enting I"&bli!hus/ te8t' 5ore gener"lly on the liberties t"1en by Pro!lus ;ith his sour!es, !f' <e"th 319.:4, 1336-'

#hese !on!lusions eserve perh"ps so&e e&ph"sis' #hey in i!"te

en p'1:3

th"t Pro!lus h" stu ie 3"t le"st4 Boo1 III of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism "s !"refully "s Syri"nus !oul h"ve ;ishe , "n th"t Pro!lus/ prologue !"n Gustifi"bly be use "s evi en!e for his "ttitu e to I"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis& "s e8presse in On Pythagoreanism III' %0
%0

In In Parm3 9.8, 3968 Pro!lus "ppe"rs to be using On Pythagoreanism I( 3In Nic3 20, 1-6194 r"ther th"n Ni!o&"!hus Intro3 arith3 1., -610' Pro!lus/ referen!es outsi e In ucl3 to Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l i e"s "re often not pre!ise "n full enough to en"ble us to be sure th"t his sour!e is I"&bli!hus r"ther th"n so&e other te8t, for e8"&ple Ni!o&"!hus'

#his &"1es the prologue " privilege sour!e for the stu y of the evolution of Pro!lus/ i e"s in rel"tion to those of I"&bli!hus'

3II4 Pro!lus/ $evisions of I"&bli!hus

#he "n"lysis "bove h"s in i!"te so&e of the ;"ys in ;hi!h Pro!lus "ltere the I"&bli!he"n origin"l2 he o!u&ente the I"&bli!he"n &"teri"l by n"&ing "n Buoting &ore "!!ur"tely "n fully fro& I"&bli!hus/ sour!es, "n !l"rifie I"&bli!hus by si&plifying so&e p"ss"ges "n e8p"n ing others' It !"n be seen th"t he "!!epts the essenti"ls of I"&bli!hus/ position on the i&port"n!e of &"the&"ti!s2 !onseBuent on the inter&e i"te position of its obGe!ts in the stru!ture of re"lity, &"the&"ti!s h"s " pivot"l "n f"r6re"!hing fun!tion, for it !onstitutes " p"r" ig& for physi!s, ethi!s, politi!s, "n the "rts, "n fore6 sh" o;s the obGe!ts of theology or &et"physi!s' #he l"tter "spe!t e8presses " fun!tion of &"the&"ti!s th"t Pro!lus o!u&ents 320, 1- ff'4 ;ith the te8t of

Pl"to/s 'epu-lic th"t I"&bli!hus 3.., 8 ff'4 silently uses, n"&ely the fun!tion of le" ing the soul up to i&&"teri"l being' #he one i&port"nt o!trin"l ifferen!e bet;een Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus note so f"r !on!erns the rel"tion bet;een &"the&"ti!"ls "n the soul' #he so&e;h"t !onfusing situ"tion in I"&bli!hus/ te8t is not "llo;e to persist in Pro!lus2 he fir&ly pl"!es &"the&"ti!"ls in the soul in the ;"y Syri"nus h" one, th"t is, they "re /proGe!tions/ by the soul of intelligible prin!iples inn"te in it' #his !l"rifi!"tion is of so&e i&port"n!e, for it eter&ines, "s I sh"ll sho; l"ter, the pre!ise ;"y in ;hi!h &"the&"ti!s &"y be use in physi!s "n &et"physi!s' In ;h"t follo;s I sh"ll supple&ent these results ;ith !o&p"risons bet;een so&e other !h"pters of Pro!lus/ prologue "n I"&bli!hus/ te8t' #he effort observe "bove to n"&e "n Buote &ore "!!ur"tely "n fully the sour!es I"&bli!hus in!orpor"te in his te8t !"n be foun else;here in Pro!lus/ prologue' %ne &ight note for e8"&ple his use of
en p'1:-

*ristotle to this effe!t' %$

%$

)o&p"re Pro!lus, 32, 236: "n 33, 2163-, 1, ;ith I"&bli!hus 8-, 216. 3;ith the s!holiu& " lo!', 103, 224 "n 8:, 26:'

7spe!i"lly note;orthy, ho;ever, is his use of Pl"to2 he not only supple&ents I"&bli!hus/ te8t ;ith Buot"tions fro& Pl"to, but "lso substitutes the origin"l Pl"toni! p"ss"ge for the 3Pseu o64 Pyth"gore"n pl"gi"ry !ite "s "n "uthority by I"&bli!hus' #hus I"&bli!hus/ /*r!hyt"s/ te8t in Comm3 12, 9613, is repl"!e in Pro!lus 33, 1-61:4 by " referen!e to the origin"l te8t of the 'epu-lic' #he s"&e h"ppens else;here, %%
%%

)o&p"re "lso I"&bli!hus, Comm3 --, 10 ff' 3/*r!hyt"s/4 ;ith Pro!lus -., 1. ff' 3Pl"to/s Meno4F the substitution of Pl"toni! for Pyth"gore"n te8ts is noti!e by 5ueller 31989-4'

&ost not"bly "t 10, 1. ff', ;here I"&bli!hus/ "uthorities, Brontinus "n *r!hyt"s 3Comm3 3-, 20 ff'4, "re not repro u!e F Pro!lus refers r"ther to Pl"to/s 'epu-lic 3the sour!e of I"&bli!hus/ "uthorities4, s"ying2 /=et us e8"&ine "fter this ;h"t the !riterion of &"the&"ti!s &ight be "n let us pl"!e before us Pl"to "s gui e to this revel"tion 3Z VOP]O T ^Q bQ P] R PV PV[ ZQ QM O cR \ T UQ P U mY PcUQ4/ 310, 1:6194' #he l"ngu"ge is I"&bli!he"n' %&
%&

)f' "bove, )h' - n' 20'

But it "lso in i!"tes, I believe, ho; Pro!lus/ substitution of Pl"toni! for /Pyth"gore"n/ te8ts is to be un erstoo ' It is not the !"se th"t Pro!lus suspe!te th"t I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"n "uthorities ;ere forge , !opie fro& Pl"to' Pro!lus oes not hesit"te "fter "ll to !ite hi&self in his prologue the Sacred "iscourse 3"bove, p' 1:24' $"ther he prefers Pl"to to *r!hyt"s, Brontinus, et!', "s his gui e to &"the&"ti!s' %'
%'

)f' the opening of Pro!lus/ se!on prologue2 mY PcUN O[TZV [ T UVN 3!f' Phaedr3 2-9 !4, -8,

3'

#his preferen!e h"s to o pri&"rily ;ith the f"!t th"t he reg"r s 7u!li , "s ;e sh"ll see, "s " f"ithful e8ponent of Pl"to, "n this in turn &"1es Pl"to into the prin!ip"l "uthority of his Commentary on uclid' But ;e &"y suspe!t "lso th"t the istin!tion for Pro!lus bet;een Pl"to/s s!ientifi! e8pl"n"tion "n Pyth"gore"n revel"tion 3"bove, p' 1:24 is responsible "t " eeper level for his !hoi!e of Pl"to/s i"logues, r"ther th"n I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ns, "s "ppropri"te sour!es for the stu y of the n"ture "n fun!tion of &"the&"ti!s' ,re"ter "ttention to Pl"to le" s, ho;ever, to " proble& ;hi!h Pro!lus is!usses in !h"pter 10 of his prologue, " !h"pter !o&ing bet;een t;o !h"pters !orrespon ing respe!tively to I"&bli!hus/ Comm3 !h"pters 2: "n 29' #he proble& is the follo;ing2 " &"Gor the&e in I"&bli!hus/ boo1 3follo;ing Ni!o&"!hus4 is the scientific !h"r"!ter of &"the&"ti!s' Iet so&e &e&bers of Pro!lus/ s!hool 329,
en p'1:.

1- ff'4 foun th"t Pl"to "fter "ll oes not reg"r &"the&"ti!s "s s!ientifi!' In the 'epu-lic in p"rti!ul"r Pl"to reg"r s &"the&"ti!s "s efe!tive sin!e it oes not e8"&ine the hypotheses fro& ;hi!h it pro!ee s' 5"the&"ti!s is therefore subor in"te to i"le!ti!, " s!ien!e th"t ;or1s b"!1 to "n ulti&"te unhypotheti!"l first prin!iple upon ;hi!h "ll 1no;le ge epen s' In efen ing the s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter of &"the&"ti!s Pro!lus fully re!ogni?es its subor in"tion to i"le!ti!, ;hi!h he !"lls /perfe!t/ "n /true/ s!ien!e 331, 196234' *s re!eiving its first prin!iples fro& i"le!ti!, &"the&"ti!s is s!ien!e in " se!on "ry ;"y' %(
%(

32, 36.' )f' "lso "e pro*3 vv .0, 2869F I' <" ot 3198-4, 1236- "n 3on e"rlier is!ussions of the proble&4 9969'

*s if feeling, ho;ever, th"t this &ight still not be suffi!ient to s"ve the s!ientifi! !l"i&s of &"the&"ti!s, Pro!lus "tte&pts to efen further these !l"i&s' It is not the !"se th"t &"the&"ti!s is ignor"nt of its first prin!iples, but it re!eives these prin!iples 3"s !on!epts inn"te in the soul4 "n e&onstr"tes ;h"t follo;s fro& the&' In this ;"y &"the&"ti!s el"bor"tes " s!ientifi! 1no;le ge of its &"tter 332, .69 "n 1:6184' Pro!lus/ "rgu&ent in f"!t gives to &"the&"ti!s the !h"r"!teristi!s of s!ien!e "s i entifie by *ristotle' Pl"to/s o;n "ppro"!h in the 'epu-lic is h"r ly "s positive' #he ist"n!e sep"r"ting Pl"to fro& Pro!lus/ interpret"tion of Pl"to !"n be &e"sure by the f"!t this interpret"tion "rises fro& the "tte&pt to re!on!ile I"&bli!hus/ Ni!o&"!he"n e&ph"sis on the s!ientifi! !h"r"!ter of &"the&"ti!s ;ith Pl"to/s !ritiBue of the efi!ien!y of &"the&"ti!s, " re!on!ili"tion b"se on *ristotle/s !h"r"!teri?"tion of s!ien!e'

2' *rith&eti! "n 3%r>4 ,eo&etry

<"ving intro u!e /gener"l &"the&"ti!s/ in Boo1 III of On Pythagoreanism I"&bli!hus presente in the follo;ing boo1s "rith&eti! 3" version of Ni!o&"!hus pref"!e by pr"ise of Ni!o&"!hus "s " true Pyth"gore"n4F the tr"nsposition of "rith&eti! to physi!s, ethi!s, "n theologyF "n the three other &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, geo&etry, &usi!, "n "strono&y' Pro!lus, ho;ever, &oves ire!tly

fro& gener"l &"the&"ti!s in his first prologue to "n intro u!tion to geo&etry in his se!on prologue 3in!lu ing pr"ise of 7u!li "s " Pl"tonist4 "n to the !o&&ent"ry on 7u!li /s lements' %ne &"y !onseBuently ;on er if "n intro u!tion to "rith&eti!, perh"ps " version of Ni!o&"!hus, on!e !"&e "fter the first prologue, or if, r"ther, the un eni"ble preferen!e
en p'1::

for geo&etry in physi!s "n &et"physi!s th"t ;ill be observe in the ne8t t;o !h"pters le Pro!lus to use geo&etry for the gener"l purposes th"t "rith&eti! fulfille for I"&bli!hus' 5ight he "lso h"ve preferre the Pl"toni! s!ientifi! ;or1 of 7u!li to the Pyth"gore"n Ni!o&"!hus> It is !le"r first of "ll fro& the beginning of Pro!lus/ se!on prologue 3-8, 1684 th"t the intro u!tion to geo&etry is inten e to follo; directly on the intro u!tion to gener"l &"the&"ti!s' #his rules out therefore the possibility th"t "n intro u!tion to "rith&eti! on!e !"&e bet;een the first "n se!on prologues' %)
%)

5orro; &istr"nsl"tes the l"st lines 3-9, :684 of the first prologue, ;hi!h shoul re" 2 /*n so, e i!"ting this boo1 to hi&, ;e ;ill !ir!u&s!ribe 3Z N\ kVT U, i'e' finish, " &"the&"ti!"l pun4 the stu y of &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e '/ 5orro;/s spe!ul"tions " lo!' "re !onseBuently unfoun e '

%n the other h"n , it !"nnot be inferre th"t 7u!li suppl"nte Ni!o&"!hus in Pro!lus/ &in 2 Pro!lus 1no;s "n Buotes Ni!o&"!husF %*
%*

)f' In !im3 II 19, -F 20, 2. ff'F In Parm3 :19, 10 3in 5oerbe1e/s tr"nsl"tion4F !heol3 Plat3 II 1:, 1.F !f' )h"rles 319824, 2016- 3but I fin her stru!tur"l !o&p"rison un!onvin!ing4'

if he i not ;rite " !o&&ent"ry on Ni!o&"!hus, "t le"st his pupil *&&onius le!ture on Ni!o&"!hus in *le8"n ri"F %.
%.

)f' #"r"n 319:94, 9610, 1-' *&&onius/ le!tures "re in!orpor"te in the !o&&ent"ries on Ni!o&"!hus of his pupils *s!lepius "n Philoponus'

"n , &ost signifi!"nt of "ll, Pro!lus !onsi ere hi&self " rein!"rn"tion of Ni!o&"!hus' %/
%/

5"rinus, Vita Procli, !h' 28'

#his l"st f"!t suggests th"t Pro!lus v"lue Ni!o&"!hus no less th"n i I"&bli!hus' Fin"lly one &ight note th"t Pro!lus oes not sho; "ny signs of Buestioning the pri&"!y of "rith&eti! 3"s !o&p"re ;ith geo&etry4 in the hier"r!hy of &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es' &0
&0

Pro!lus, In ucl3 -8, 961., .9, 1.6:0, 1F !f' I"&bli!hus, Comm3 1-, 2361., .F 9., 1-69:, 3' %n " tr" ition th"t "ssigne pri&"!y to geo&etry r"ther th"n "rith&eti! 3"s in Ni!o&"!hus "n I"&bli!hus4, !f' Bur1ert 319924, 2-9'

So&e e8pl"n"tion of Pro!lus/ preferen!e for geo&etry &ust then be foun th"t is !o&p"tible ;ith these f"!ts' I believe th"t the philosophi!"l b"!1groun to Pro!lus/ p"rti!ul"r interest in geo&etry 3 espite the " &itte pri&"!y of "rith&eti!4 is to be foun in the theory

th"t &"the&"ti!"ls "re proGe!tions by the soul of inn"te intelligible prin!iples' It is p"rti!ul"rly in geo&etry, "!!or ing to Syri"nus, th"t soul proGe!ts su!h inn"te prin!iples into i&"gin"tion be!"use in its ;e"1ness soul is better "ble to gr"sp these prin!iples in the e8ten e for& thus given the& 3"bove, p' 1334' %ne !"n infer fro& this th"t the inferiority of geo&etry *is9:9*is "rith&eti!, i'e' its re!ourse to e8tension, "lso &"1es it &ore "!!essible to the
en p'1:9

hu&"n soul' In the figures of geo&etry the soul !"n better gr"sp its inn"te prin!iples be!"use these prin!iples "re e8presse "t " lo;er, &ore i&"ge6li1e, level' Pro!lus "lso &"1es this point "bout geo&etry 3 In ucl3 1-1, -61242 #hus soul, e8er!ising her !"p"!ity to 1no;, proGe!ts on the i&"gin"tion, "s on " &irror, the i e"s of the figuresF "n the i&"gin"tion, re!eiving in i&"ge6for& these refle!tions of ;h"t is ;ithin , by their &e"ns "ffor s the soul "n opportunity to turn in;"r fro& the i&"ges "n "tten to herself' It is "s if " &"n loo1ing "t hi&self in " &irror "n &"rvelling "t the po;er of n"ture "n "t his o;n "ppe"r"n!e shoul ;ish to loo1 upon hi&self ire!tly' ' ' ' #his te8t not only in i!"tes th"t the sp"ti"l figures of geo&etry &"1e "!!essible to soul the ro" to self61no;le ge' &$
&$

*t :2, 11618, Pro!lus s"ys2 /In the &i le region of 1no;le ge unfol s "n evelops is!ursive prin!iples 3MNQUV]PNbV Y \VN4F it investig"tes their v"riety, e8hibiting their e8isten!es "n properties, their si&il"rities "n ifferen!es, fro& ;hi!h it !o&prehen s ;ithin li&ite boun s the sh"pes in i&"gin"tion of figures "n refers b"!1 to the essenti"l 3V ON M]4 being of the prin!iples'/ )f' "lso .2, 2069F .-, 296.., 18 3e8pli!"tion into the i&"gin"tion be!"use of soul/s ;e"1ness, O^_UV[ OQ4' )f' #rouill"r 319.94, 3386-0'

It "lso tre"ts geo&etry "s perfor&ing the role "ssigne to &"the&"ti!s in gener"l in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic2 to &e i"te through i&"ges bet;een &"teri"l re"lity "n the For&s' *rith&eti! "lso e"ls ;ith i&"ges, but these "re e8presse "t " higher levelF it h"s no re!ourse to e8tension in or er to gr"sp its obGe!ts' *n its prin!iples possess gre"ter si&pli!ity, unity, th"n those of geo&etry' &%
&%

.9, 1.620F !f' Breton 319:94, 9968'

In this ;"y "rith&eti! st"n s ne"rer to &et"physi!s, ;here"s geo&etry fin s itself ne"rer the &i le point bet;een &et"physi!s "n the &"teri"l ;orl , thus &ore " "pte to the !"p"!ities "n nee s of the "s!en ing soul' #here is "nother fe"ture of geo&etry th"t "lso thro;s light on its position ;ith respe!t to "rith&eti! in Pro!lus/ &in ' Pl"to "ssigns &"the&"ti!s in the 'epu-lic to " f"!ulty of the soul, MN UVNQ, ;hi!h Neopl"tonists in gener"l too1 to &e"n is!ursive or &ore spe!ifi!"lly e&onstr"tive 3syllogisti!4 thought' #hus for I"&bli!hus the &etho !h"r"!teristi! of &"the&"ti!s is syllogisti!' Pro!lus "lso !h"r"!teri?es &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e "s e&onstr"tive in &etho "n "tte&pts to sho; this in p"rti!ul"r in the "n"lysis of 7u!li /s theore&s' 0h"tever the &erits of this enterprise, it ;"s "t le"st e"sier to "pply to 7u!li th"n to Ni!o&"!hus,

;hose "rith&eti!"l ;or1 is ;ell 1no;n for the "bsen!e of e&onstr"tions in support of its positions' For Pro!lus, ho;ever,
en p'1:8

this ;oul not h"ve represente " f"iling in Ni!o&"!hus, but ;oul h"ve to o, "s I believe ;e "re entitle to infer, ;ith the &ore inter&e i"te position of geo&etry, hen!e its &ore is!ursive, e&onstr"tive !h"r"!ter "s !o&p"re ;ith the higher, &ore insight6li1e thought of "rith&eti!' * f"!t &ight fin"lly be &entione ;hi!h ;oul h"ve h" !onsi er"ble ;eight in Pro!lus/ eyes, the signifi!"n!e of ;hi!h !oul be un erstoo "g"inst the philosophi!"l b"!1groun Gust s1et!he , n"&ely th"t in tre"ting of the &e i"tory role of &"the&"ti!s in the 'epu-lic, Pl"to see&s to h"ve espe!i"lly in &in geo&etry 3.10 b6.11 b4' 7nough re"sons h"ve been foun then th"t e8pl"in Pro!lus/ preferen!e for geo&etry in su!h " ;"y "s to re!on!ile it ;ith the ontologi!"l "n episte&ologi!"l superiority of "rith&eti!' #hrough its gre"ter /e8pli!"tion/ into i&"ges of higher hi en prin!iples, through its &ore is!ursive e&onstr"tive &etho , it is, "&ong the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, " privilege &e i"tor bet;een &"teri"l "n i&&"teri"l re"lity' #his position oes not rule out, of !ourse, the use of the /i&"ges/ of "rith&eti!, but it oes represent " shift in ful!ru&2 the role th"t I"&bli!hus gives "rith&eti! in On Pythagoreanism both "s "n intro u!tory "n "s " pivot"l s!ien!eEBoo1s (6(II "re "fter "ll !on!erne ;ith "rith&eti! re"!hing o;n into physi!s "n ethi!s "n up into &et"physi!sEis "ssigne in Pro!lus r"ther to geo&etry' %ne &ight "lso spe"1 of " !h"nge fro& I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing e&ph"sis on "rith&eti! to " Pl"toni?ing stress on geo&etry' 0e h"ve foun then "nother i&port"nt point on ;hi!h Pro!lus iverge fro& I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"n progr"&&e' #he ele&ents for this shift fro& "rith&eti! to geo&etry "re in ee to be foun "lre" y in I"&bli!hus/ subor in"tion of geo&etry to "rith&eti!' 7ven &ore suggestive is Syri"nus/ "!!ount of geo&etri!"ls "s proGe!tions in the i&"gin"tion by the soul ue to its ;e"1ness' But there is little sign in Syri"nus of the syste&"ti! re!ourse to geo&etry in philosophy ;hi!h I thin1 &ust be reg"r e "s Pro!lus/ o;n !ontribution' &&
&&

5"rinus ten s to see the "ata "s enveloping &"the&"ti!s 3In ucl3 "ata 2.-, .61342 he notes th"t 7u!li h"s !overe /"l&ost/ "ll of &"the&"ti!s, geo&etry, "strono&y' *rith&eti! is not &entione spe!ifi!"lly 3!f' 2.-, 136204'
en p'1:9

3' ,eo&etry
3I4 #he )o&position of on 7u!li Prol' Ii
In his se!on prologue Pro!lus provi es " gener"l intro u!tion to geo&etry' #he epen en!e of his first prologue on I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III le" s to

the Buestion ;hether Pro!lus, for his se!on prologue, &ight "lso h"ve use I"&bli!hus, n"&ely the 3lost4 intro u!tion to geo&etry th"t !onstitute On Pythagoreanism (III' #he signs "re, ho;ever, th"t this is not the !"se' In p"rti!ul"r, there "re p"ss"ges in the se!on prologue th"t repe"t Pro!lus/ revisions of I"&bli!hus in the first prologue, "pplying the& no; to the !"se of geo&etry' &'
&'

)o&p"re :2, -69, ;ith 22, :69, "n the referen!es "bove, n' 9, "n belo;, p' 192'

#o so&e e8tent then Pro!lus use his first prologue in the !o&position of his se!on prologue' #his pro!e ure !onfor&s to ;h"t h"s been est"blishe !on!erning Pro!lus/ "ttitu e to geo&etry, for it "ssu&es th"t the philosophi!"l fun!tions "ssigne by I"&bli!hus to gener"l &"the&"ti!s !"n be inst"nti"te in p"rti!ul"r by geo&etry' *nother "spe!t of the !o&position of the se!on prologue &ight "lso be note briefly here2 the effort to o!u&ent 3the history of geo&etry in p"rti!ul"r4 th"t "lre" y !h"r"!teri?es the first prologue'

3II4 7u!li "s Pl"tonist

#here "re " nu&ber of goo philosophi!"l re"sons, "s ;e h"ve seen, for first stu ying geo&etry r"ther th"n "rith&eti! in one/s progress through &"the&"ti!s to &et"physi!s' But it re&"ins for Pro!lus to e8pl"in his !hoi!e of 7u!li /s lements "s " &"nu"l of geo&etry, r"ther th"n, for e8"&ple, the /Pyth"gore"n/ geo&etry of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (III' Fro& Pro!lus/ te8t it "ppe"rs th"t 7u!li h" been is!usse by Syri"nus, possibly by Plut"r!h of *thens, "n by Porphyry' &(
&(

In ucl3 123, 19620F 12., 1:F 299, -6.F 31., 1.631:, 1F 3.2, 1361.F !f' <eiberg 318824, 1.96:2F 5ueller 31989-4'

But ;h"t i Pro!lus hi&self see in 7u!li th"t re!o&&en e hi& "s " gui e to geo&etry> Pro!lus !l"i&s th"t 7u!li is " Pl"tonist by philosophi!"l !onfession 3:8, 20614F th"t the go"l of the lements is the !onstru!tion of the geo&etri!"l figures of Pl"to/s !imaeus 3:8, 2163F 38-, 26-4F "n th"t 7u!li /s theore&s, st"rting fro& hypotheses 3given by " higher
en p'190

s!ien!e, i"le!ti!4 "n e&onstr"ting ;h"t follo;s the&, e8hibit the stru!ture of &"the&"ti!"l is!ourse "s es!ribe in Pl"to/s 'epu-lic' &)
&)

)f' "bove, p' 1::F In ucl3 9., .61-F Breton 319:94, 39 ff', 12-'

7u!li /s lements is therefore " &"nu"l of Pl"toni! geo&etry' I believe !onseBuently th"t Pro!lus/ !hoi!e of 7u!li is to be un erstoo in rel"tion to his preferen!e for Pl"to' In p"rti!ul"r, his ten en!y to see Pl"to "s &ore /s!ientifi!/ th"n the Pyth"gore"ns is !onne!te to his preferen!e of 7u!li /s &"nu"l to " /Pyth"gore"n/ geo&etry' 7vi en!e in support of this !"n be foun &u!h l"ter in the !o&&ent"ry 3-2:, :61-4 ;here Pro!lus !ontr"sts the Pyth"gore"ns ;ho first un erstoo " p"rti!ul"r 7u!li e"n theore& ;ith 7u!li /s e&onstr"tion2

If ;e listen to those ;ho li1e to re!or "ntiBuities, ;e sh"ll fin the& "ttributing this theore& to Pyth"gor"s' ' ' ' For &y p"rt, though I " &ire those ;ho first gr"spe this theore&, I " &ire &ore the "uthor of the lements, not only for the very lu!i e&onstr"tion by ;hi!h he se!ure it, but "lso be!"use in the si8th boo1 he l"i hol of " theore& even &ore gener"l th"n this "n se!ure it by irrefut"ble s!ientifi! "rgu&ents' #he the&e of the s!ientifi!, e&onstr"tive, irrefut"ble !h"r"!ter of 7u!li /s ;or1 is pro&inent in Pro!lus/ pr"ise of 7u!li in the se!on prologue 3:9, 162 "n 126 13F 90, 1:6184' Su!h Bu"lities h" "lso been "ttribute by I"&bli!hus to Ni!o&"!hus in his intro u!tion to Ni!o&"!he"n "rith&eti! 3 On Pythagoreanism I(4E;ith &u!h less Gustifi!"tion' *t "ny r"te Pro!lus/ !hoi!e of 7u!li /s lements "s " &"nu"l of geo&etry, ;e &"y !on!lu e, h"s to o ;ith 7u!li /s suppose Pl"tonis& "n the &ore s!ientifi! Bu"lity of this Pl"toni! geo&etry "s !o&p"re ;ith the geo&etry of the "n!ient Pyth"gore"ns' Pro!lus of !ourse fin s other Bu"lities in 7u!li th"t re!o&&en his lements "s " &"nu"l' In p"rti!ul"r 7u!li e&onstr"tes the suit"ble pe "gogi!"l virtues2 !l"rity, !on!ision, !oheren!e, "n "bsen!e of superfluity, "n "ppropri"te level of gener"lity 393, 1.69-, 184' Su!h virtues h" "lso been foun by I"&bli!hus in Ni!o&"!hus'

3III4 #he 5etho of ,eo&etry

#his subGe!t h"s "lre" y been tou!he on in the pre!e ing p"ges' <o;ever, there is &ore to geo&etri!"l &etho th"n its 3*ristoteli"n4 syllogisti! eriv"tion of !on!lusions fro& first prin!iples "n the 3Pl"toni!4 epen en!e of su!h prin!iples on the higher s!ien!e of
en p'191

i"le!ti!' In p"rti!ul"r, Pro!lus, in the se!on prologue, "ttributes to geo&etry not only e&onstr"tion but "lso efinition, ivision, "n "n"lysis, the l"st t;o ele&ents refle!ting " progression ";"y fro& "n " return to first prin!iples 3:9, 96 194' #hese four ele&ents of &etho in Pro!lus h"ve often been es!ribe , &*
&*

)f' <"rt&"nn 319094F Breton 319:94, 123 ff'

"n I sh"ll !onfine &yself here to "

ing " fe; points'

It &ight be observe th"t the four ele&ents of geo&etri!"l &etho "re foun before in the first prologue, ;here they "re tre"te "s the ele&ents of gener"l &"the&"ti!s 3-3, 26104' <ere Pro!lus is t"1ing his !ue fro& I"&bli!hus 3 Comm3 :., 162:F 89, 1:6294' Fro& ;h"t h"s been eter&ine "bove in se!tion 3i4 ;e !"n see th"t Pro!lus h"s t"1en the four ele&ents of &"the&"ti!"l &etho he foun in I"&bli!hus "n "pplie the& in his se!on prologue to geo&etry' #he !o&p"rison bet;een the se!on "n first prologues "n the I"&bli!he"n sour!e yiel s "nother, &ore i&port"nt result' I"&bli!hus is!usses efinition, ivision, e&onstr"tion, "n "n"lysis "s fe"tures of &"the&"ti!"l &etho in the !onte8t of !l"i&ing their in epen en!e "n superiority *is9:9*is !o&p"r"ble

fe"tures of i"le!ti!"l, i'e' logi!"l &etho 3Comm3 89, 1: ff'4' In Pro!lus/ first prologue, ho;ever, 3-2, 96214 the dependence of su!h fe"tures in &"the&"ti!"l &etho on "n"logous fe"tures of " higher i"le!ti!, n"&ely th"t of Pl"to/s 'epu-lic is stresse ' &.
&.

In the s!holi" to I"&bli!hus/ Comm3 the ifferen!e bet;een i"le!ti! "s logi! "n "s the supre&e s!ien!e of Pl"to/s 'ep3 is note 3101, 3-6102, 24F !f' Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I 39, 9621, "n "lre" y Plotinus I 3, -6.'

#he s"&e point is in i!"te in the "ppli!"tion to geo&etry in the se!on prologue 3:9, 136194' I"&bli!hus re!ogni?es of !ourse the superiority of Pl"to/s i"le!ti! "n fin s in it the ivi ing "n unifying fe"tures "lso !onstitutive of &"the&"ti!"l &etho , but he oes not, "t le"st in On Pythagoreanism III, r"; the !on!lusion th"t the four !o&ponents of &"the&"ti!"l &etho "re &o elle on those of Pl"toni! i"le!ti!' &/
&/

Comm3 -:, 3613F !f' 5ueller 31989-4' In their note 31-24 to Pro!lus, !heol3 Plat3 I -0 S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 refer to +"&"s!ius, In Phile-3 vv .9 "n .9, 36-, ;ho reports I"&bli!hus "s giving to i"le!ti! " ivi ing "n unifying &etho ' +e&onstr"tion, efinition, "n ivision "re "s!ribe to i"le!ti! by Syri"nus, In met3 .., 396.:, -'

#he Ni!o&"!he"n e&ph"sis on &"the&"ti!s ten s to pre o&in"te in I"&bli!hus/ boo1, "n the subor in"tion in ter&s of &etho to Pl"toni! i"le!ti! is not ;or1e out !le"rly' %n the other h"n Pro!lus/ gre"ter "ttention to Pl"to "n the 'epu-lic pro u!es " stronger "n !le"rer position on the subor in"tion of &"the&"ti!s to Pl"toni! i"le!ti! "n le" s to his !l"i& in the first
en p'192

prologue th"t &"the&"ti!"l &etho in f"!t i&"ges i"le!ti!"l &etho ' #his is of so&e !onseBuen!e, for it i&plies " !le"rer vie; of the pre!ise position of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy' In p"rti!ul"r it !"lls "ttention to " s!ien!e higher th"n &"the&"ti!s ;hi!h prefigures "t " superior, &ore origin"l level, the is!ursive, e&onstr"tive !h"r"!ter of &"the&"ti!s' #he !onseBuen!es of these !l"rifi!"tions of I"&bli!hus/ position in On Pythagoreanism III ;ill e&erge ;hen the rel"tions bet;een &"the&"ti!s "n &et"physi!s "re e8"&ine belo; in )h"pter 10'

3I(4 #he #r"nsposition of ,eo&etry

,iven Pro!lus/ gener"l vie; of geo&etry/s pl"!e in rel"tion to &"the&"ti!s "n to philosophy "n the !orrespon ing ;"y in ;hi!h the se!on prologue of his Commentary e!hoes the first, it is only to be e8pe!te th"t geo&etry ;ill be sho;n in the se!on prologue 3!h' 34 to !"rry out those fun!tions of e8tr"6 &"the&"ti!"l tr"nsposition th"t "re "ttribute 3follo;ing I"&bli!hus4 in the first prologue to gener"l &"the&"ti!s' #hus geo&etry re"!hes 3"s i gener"l &"the&"ti!s in the first prologue4 up to true "n ivine being,

te"!hing us through i&"ges the spe!i"l properties 3 MN P]PQR4 of the ivine or ers "n the po;ers of the intelle!tu"l For&s' ' ' ' <ere it sho;s us ;h"t figures "re "ppropri"te to the go s, ;hi!h ones belong to pri&"ry beings ' ' ' 3:2, .6104 *t the inter&e i"te level it unfol s in the i&"gin"tion is!ursive prin!iples' '0
'0

:2, 11618, Buote "bove, n' 31'

Belo; this level it e8"&ines n"ture, th"t is, the spe!ies of ele&ent"ry per!eptible bo ies "n the po;ers "sso!i"te ;ith the&, "n e8pl"ins ho; their !"uses "re !ont"ine in " v"n!e in its o;n i e"s' It !ont"ins i&"ges of "ll intelligible 1in s "n p"r" ig&s of sensible onesF but the for&s of is!ursive re"son !onstitute its essen!e, "n through this &i le region it r"nges up;"r s "n o;n;"r s to everything' ' ' ' *l;"ys philosophi?ing "bout being in the &"nner of geo&etry, ' ' ' it h"s i&"ges of "ll the virtuesEintelle!tu"l, psy!hi!, "n physi!"l E"n presents in ue or er "ll the for&s of politi!"l !onstitution, sho;ing fro& its o;n n"ture the v"riety of the !h"nges they un ergo' 3:2, 196:3, .4 #he physi!"l, ethi!"l, "n &et"physi!"l "ppli!"tions of "rith&eti! h" been ;or1e out by I"&bli!hus in Boo1s (6(II of On Pythagoreanism'
en p'193

It ;ill be Pro!lus/ !on!ern, ho;ever, in the follo;ing !o&&ent"ry to bring out these "ppli!"tions in the !"se of geo&etry' For there "re, he !l"i&s, enough e8pl"n"tions of the spe!ifi!"lly geo&etri!"l, te!hni!"l "spe!ts of 7u!li /s lements2 0e "re surfeite ;ith those topi!s "n sh"ll tou!h on the& but sp"ringly' But ;h"tever &"tters !ont"in &ore subst"nti"l s!ien!e "n !ontribute to philosophy "s " ;hole, these ;e sh"ll &"1e it our !hief !on!ern to &ention, e&ul"ting the Pyth"gore"ns ;hose by;or "n proverb ;"s /" figure "n " stepping6stone, not " figure, "n three obols/' By this they &e"nt th"t ;e &ust !ultiv"te th"t s!ien!e of geo&etry ;hi!h ;ith e"!h theore& l"ys the b"sis for " step up;"r "n r";s the soul to the higher ;orl ' ' ' ' '$
'$

8-, 11620 3!f' 19-, 196214' #he Pyth"gore"n s"ying is Buote in the s!holi" to I"&bli!hus, Comm3 101, 19618, "n is interprete by I"&bli!hus 3 Pr3 12., 1684 in the s"&e ;"y'

0h"tever ifferen!es then there &ight be bet;een Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus on the prefer"bility of "rith&eti! or geo&etry, Pyth"gore"n of Pl"toni! te8ts, the purpose of Pro!lus/ Commentary on uclid is essenti"lly th"t of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, to use &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e "s " bri ge, "s " p"r" ig&"ti! 1ey to physi!s "n ethi!s, "s " fore6sh" o;ing of "n initi"tion to &et"physi!s' Pro!lus even presents the over"ll purpose of his Commentary, "s es!ribe in the "bove p"ss"ge, "s /Pyth"gore"n/' Pro!lus !"rries out the /Pyth"gore"n/ "ppro"!h to geo&etry &ost fully in his !o&&ent"ry on 7u!li /s efinitions' #he efinitions "re reg"r e "s tre"ting of

the obGe!ts of geo&etry in their ontologi!"l or er, i'e' in their re"l progression fro& point 3 ef' 14 through line 3 efs' 26-4 to surf"!e 3 efs' .694 ;hi!h in!lu es "ngles 3 efs' 86124 "n figures in gener"l 3 efs' 1361-4 "n in their progression fro& !ir!ul"r 3 efs' 1.6194 to re!tiline"r figures 3 efs' 2063-4' For the efinitions Pro!lus provi es " &"the&"ti!"l e8egesis !o&bine ;ith e8tr"pol"tions of geo&etri!"l !on!epts on to the obGe!ts of lo;er "n higher philosophi!"l s!ien!es, '%
'%

)f' e'g' 99, 18 ff' 3 ef' 22 m[^Q\V NbcP cU4F 128, 2: ff' 3 ef' 94F 131, 21 ff' 3 efs' 106122 V m[^Q\V NbV 4F 139, 861-2, 9 3 ef' 1-2 m[^Q\ NV 4F 1::, 1- ff' 3 efs' 2-692 m[^Q\ NVN4F 193, 2 ff' 3 efs' 306-2 V m[^Q\ NVN4' #he vo!"bul"ry of tr"nsposition foun in I"&bli!hus 3"bove, pp' -8694 re"ppe"rs in Pro!lus2 T QONR 322, 9F !f' 138, 2-F 193, 104, P Y cONR 3!f' 2-, - "n 2.4, Z NbQO Q 32-, 29F !f' 138, 13F 193, 234, MNa b UcU 3:2, .4, bQPa Q P QU 3:2, 214, VTV cONR 3!f' 20, -4'

&u!h in the ;"y th"t Ni!o&"!hus h" one long before in his !heologoumena' <o;ever Pro!lus/ te8t refle!ts not only his !le"r "n syste&"ti! &in but "lso " v"n!es in physi!s "n espe!i"lly &et"physi!s sin!e the ti&e of I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus' <is
en p'19-

stu y of the !ir!le 31-:, 2- ff'F 1.3, 10 ff'4, " fine e8"&ple of ;h"t results, h"s "lre" y been fully "n sensitively is!usse ' '&
'&

Beier;"ltes 319:14, 120 ff'F 319994, 1:.6239F !f' ,ersh 319984, 926.'

#he rel"tions bet;een &"the&"ti!s 3espe!i"lly geo&etry4 "n physi!s "n &et"physi!s ;ill be e8"&ine "t gre"ter length in the follo;ing t;o !h"pters' In prep"r"tion for this it &"y be useful to " " fe; &ore re&"r1s "bout Pro!lus/ tr"nspositions of geo&etry in his Commentary on uclid' In his /Pyth"gore"n/ e&onstr"tion of the i&port"n!e of geo&etri!"l truths for physi!s Pro!lus not only refers to the Pyth"gore"ns, but "lso illustr"tes his point by Buoting fro& Pl"to/s !imaeus' *n in "pplying geo&etry to &et"physi!s he &"1es use of Pl"to/s Parmenides' #he l"tter pr"!ti!e is of p"rti!ul"r interest, sin!e the Parmenides is not seen "s " &"the&"ti!"l fore6sh" o;ing of &et"physi!s, but r"ther "s e8poun ing " higher s!ien!e ;hose prin!iples "re of nor&"tive relev"n!e to &"the&"ti!s2 Be!"use the line is se!on "n o;es its e8isten!e to the first !h"nge fro& the si&ple 3un ivi e 4, the Pyth"gore"n o!trine properly !"lls it y" i!' But th"t the point is posterior to the &on" "n the line to the y" "n the surf"!e to the tri" is sho;n by P"r&eni es 3Parm3 139 !4 ;hen he enies first plur"lity, "n then ;holeness of the %neF if plur"lity !o&es before ;holeness, then nu&ber !o&es before the !ontinuous, the y" before the line, "n the &on" before the point' ''
''

99, 1:62-F !f' 9-, 8618'

#hus &"the&"ti!s is inspire not only in its &etho s, but "lso in its o!trines by " higher s!ien!e, Pl"toni! i"le!ti!, "n the obGe!ts of th"t higher s!ien!e' #he

p"r" ig&"ti! role of this i"le!ti! ;ith reg"r to &"the&"ti!s is not, ho;ever, ;or1e out in "ny et"il in the Commentary on uclid' '(
'(

Breton "tte&pts this, using the l3 theol3 "s " sour!e of i"le!ti!"l gui elines for &"the&"ti!s, 319:94, 93 ff'

-' )on!lusions
#he "rgu&ent sho;ing in the first p"rt of this !h"pter th"t Pro!lus b"se the first prologue of his Commentary on uclid l"rgely on I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism III not only is signifi!"nt "s yiel ing evi en!e of Pro!lus/ f"&ili"rity ;ith I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e, but "lso &"1es it possible to i entify in " spe!ifi! ;"y the
en p'19.

points "t ;hi!h Pro!lus iverge fro& this progr"&&e' Pro!lus fully "!!epts the pivot"l role of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy, its p"r" ig&"ti! fun!tion in physi!s "n ethi!s, its "nti!ip"tory "n intro u!tory fun!tion in &et"physi!s' But his " option of Syri"nus/ vie; of &"the&"ti!s "s /proGe!tions/ by the soul fro& inn"te prin!iples results in " !l"rifi!"tion in this ire!tion of the un!le"r rel"tion bet;een soul "n &"the&"ti!"ls in the I"&bli!he"n te8t2 this ;ill turn out l"ter to be of so&e i&port"n!e for eter&ining the p"rti!ul"r ;"y in ;hi!h &"the&"ti!"l truths !"n be "pplie / o;n;"r s/ "n /up;"r s/' In revising, !l"rifying, "n o!u&enting I"&bli!hus, Pro!lus l"rgely repl"!es the Pyth"gore"n "uthorities in I"&bli!hus ;ith te8ts t"1en fro& Pl"to' #his "ppe"rs to rel"te not only to Pro!lus/ vie; of 7u!li /s lements "s " &"nu"l of Pl"toni! geo&etry, but "lso to his ten en!y to reg"r Pl"to "s &ore /s!ientifi!/ th"n the Pyth"gore"ns' #he !o&p"rison bet;een Pro!lus "n I"&bli!hus "lso in i!"tes th"t Pro!lus !hose geo&etry to st"n for &"the&"ti!s &u!h in the ;"y th"t "rith&eti! oes in I"&bli!hus' #his "ppe"rs to erive fro& the vie; th"t geo&etry pl"ys &ore the role of &"the&"ti!"l inter&e i"ry th"n oes "rith&eti!, for its e8ten e figures &"1e inn"te prin!iples &ore "!!essible to the f"llen soul "n its &ore pronoun!e e&onstr"tive !h"r"!ter !oin!i es better ;ith the is!ursive !"p"!ity of su!h " soul' *t the s"&e ti&e the !on!entr"tion on the /Pl"toni!/ b"!1groun of 7u!li e"n geo&etry le" s to " gre"ter e&ph"sis in Pro!lus th"n is to be foun in I"&bli!hus/ te8t on the subor in"tion of &"the&"ti!s to " higher, /true/ s!ien!e, Pl"toni! i"le!ti!, ;hi!h inspires, "n !"n even be use to eter&ine, &etho s "n prin!iples in &"the&"ti!s'
en p'19:

/ 5"the&"ti!s "n Physi!s in Pro!lus

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
In Boo1 ( of On Pythagoreanism I"&bli!hus "tte&pte to sho; in et"il the p"r" ig&"ti! fun!tion of &"the&"ti!s in un erst"n ing the &"teri"l ;orl F the result ;"s "n unusu"l ;or1 on /"rith&eti!"l physi!s/' *!!or ing to the re!onstru!tion of the boo1 th"t I h"ve propose in )h"pter 3, this "rith&eti!"l physi!s !onsiste in " &"the&"ti?e revision of *ristotle/s Physics in ;hi!h the prin!iples of physi!"l e8pl"n"tion presente in the first p"rt of the Physics ;ere sho;n to be e8e&plifie in the properties of v"rious sorts of nu&ber2 nu&bers e8hibit the for&"l, effi!ient, "n &"teri"l !"us"lity "t ;or1 in the i&&"nent org"ni?ing prin!iples of n"ture, /physi!"l nu&bers/' 0hile follo;ing the p"ttern of physi!"l e8pl"n"tion provi e by the e"rly boo1s of *ristotle/s Physics I"&bli!hus i not ignore *ristotle/s !riti!is&s of the Pyth"gore"ns, but "tte&pte to &eet su!h !riti!is&s "n i&prove *ristoteli"n physi!s so "s to turn it into " true /Pyth"gore"n/ s!ien!e of n"ture' Pro!lus "lso ;rote ;or1s in &"the&"ti!"l physi!s, the lements of Physics "n his Commentary on the !imaeus' In this !h"pter I sh"ll is!uss these t;o ;or1s ;ith " vie; to eter&ining ;h"t they sho; "bout the fun!tion of &"the&"ti!s in physi!s' In this ;"y inferen!es &"y be &" e !on!erning the philosophi!"l st"n point of Pro!lus/ physi!s *is9:9*is I"&bli!he"n Pyth"gore"nis&' *t the s"&e ti&e the very bul1 of the &"teri"l in Pro!lus, "s !o&p"re to the fr"g&ent"ry re&"ins of I"&bli!hus, ;ill per&it of " better vie; of pre!isely ;h"t " l"ter Neopl"toni! &"the&"ti!"l physi!s !onsists of, "t le"st in the for& it t"1es in Pro!lus'

1' *ristotle/s Physi!s ,eo&etri!i?e

#he geo&etri!"l for& given to *ristotle/s physi!s in the lements of Physics is so pro&inent "s to see& "l&ost e8"gger"te ' 7"!h of the t;o boo1s of this short ;or1 is he" e by " list of efinitions in the 7u!li e"n &"nner' #hese "re follo;e by " series of propositions ;ith
en p'199

e&onstr"tions "n !oroll"ries often using geo&etri!"l prin!iples' 7u!li e"n style is " opte even in the l"ngu"ge2 i&per"tives, postul"tions, the t7+ for&ul"' $
$

)f' e'g' l3 phys3 2, 19F -, 12, 1., 2061, 2.F 10, 1.F 12, -'

#he i&position of geo&etri!"l for& is "ll the &ore "ppropri"te in th"t the *ristoteli"n te8ts use "lre" y in!orpor"te &u!h re!ourse to geo&etri!"l "rgu&ent' <o;ever Pro!lus sho;s ingenuity in re;or1ing *ristotle2 *ristotle/s points "re org"ni?e into " stri!t seBuen!e, often !l"rifie "n supple&ente ' In p"rti!ul"r stri!t e&onstr"tive 3i'e' syllogisti!4 for& is insiste on in the re!"sting of *ristotle/s "rgu&ents in support of his points' Pro!lus/ re;riting of *ristotle here !oul be !o&p"re in its s1ill to his re;riting of I"&bli!hus in the first

prologue of his Commentary on uclid' <o;ever the "ppro"!h of the first prologue is so&e;h"t ifferent2 it is " bro" "n not too e&"n ing intro u!tion to &"the&"ti!s, ;here"s the lements of Physics i&poses itself "s " e&onstr"tion or e8er!ise in s!ientifi! rigour' In ee the purpose Pro!lus see&s to h"ve h" in geo&etri!i?ing *ristotle/s physi!s ;"s to &"1e *ristotle/s "rgu&ents stronger fro& the point6of6vie; of s!ientifi! &etho ' ,eo&etry/s !ontribution to physi!s is then &etho ologi!"l, "n this &etho is essenti"lly th"t of syllogisti! "rgu&ent' #he ten en!y to i entify syllogisti! &etho ;ith the &etho of geo&etry h"s "lre" y been observe in Pro!lus/ Commentary on uclid, "s h"s been " preferen!e for geo&etry "&ong the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es in tr"nspositions into physi!s "n &et"physi!s' If " !o&p"rison in these respe!ts bet;een I"&bli!hus/ "rith&eti!"l version of *ristoteli"n physi!s "n Pro!lus/ geo&etri!"l version of the s"&e !"n serve to in i!"te ho; Pro!lus is inspire by, "n yet &oves ";"y fro& the pre!e ent set by I"&bli!hus, it shoul "lso be note th"t Pro!lus/ lements of Physics is not to be !onsi ere si&ply "s " geo&etri!"l substitute for I"&bli!hus/ "rith&eti!"l physi!s' I"&bli!hus/ boo1 !overs the prin!iples of physi!"l e8pl"n"tion presente in the first p"rt of *ristotle/s Physics, ;here"s Pro!lus/ ;or1 is b"se on the se!on h"lf of the Physics, in p"rti!ul"r Boo1s (I "n (III supple&ente by p"ss"ges fro& "e Caelo I' Pro!lus e"ls, not ;ith the Buestion of physi!"l e8pl"n"tion, but ;ith &otion "n !h"nge ;ith p"rti!ul"r referen!e to the inferen!e to the /un&ove &over/ th"t the "n"lysis of &otion pro u!es' *ristotle/s "rgu&ent in Physics (III th"t &otion in the ;orl ulti&"tely presupposes "n un&ove !"use "ppe"rs to be Pro!lus/ !hief interest in the lements of PhysicsF the &ore gener"l
en p'198

propositions he first e8tr"!ts fro& Physics (I fun!tion "s the groun ;or1 logi!"lly presuppose by this "rgu&ent' *n in refor&ul"ting *ristotle/s "rgu&ent Pro!lus reve"ls his Pl"toni! point6of6vie; in stressing "t the en the i&&"teri"l n"ture th"t *ristotle/s un&ove &over &ust h"ve' %
%

l3 phys' .8, 2069 3!o&p"re *ristotle, Phys' 2:9 b 1962:4' +o s, in his e ition of the l3 theol' 38viii, 201, 2.04, h"s ispose of $it?enfel /s !l"i& in his e ition of the l3 phys' th"t the ;or1 ;"s ;ritten e"rly in Pro!lus/ !"reer ;hile stu ying *ristotle "n before re" ing Pl"to "n be!o&ing " Pl"tonist'

#he pr"!ti!e of t"1ing efinitions, "8io&s, "n e&onstr"tions fro& *ristotle/s physi!s for purposes ;hi!h "re Pl"toni! in inspir"tion is not !onfine to the lements of Physics' It &"y be foun else;here in Pro!lus' &
&

)f' In !im' II 93, 3069-, 1. 3!o&p"re l3 phys' 30, 10611F 3-, 34F In 'emp' II 9, 2:'

<o;ever, the v"lue of *ristotle/s physi!s ;"s li&ite ' =i1e I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, Pro!lus !onsi ere *ristotle/s ;ritings in physi!s to be efe!tive i&it"tions, pro u!e in " spirit of riv"lry, of Pl"toni! physi!s "s reve"le in p"rti!ul"r in the !imaeus' '

'

In !im' I :, 21 ff'F 239, 19 ff'F III 323, 31 ff'F !f' I 9, 1.61:F 29., 2:69'

* &e"sure of *ristotle/s hereti!"l in!lin"tions is to be foun in the !riti!is&s he &"1es of the !imaeus, "n Pro!lus evote " ;or1 3sin!e lost4 to respon ing to these !riti!is&s' #he !imaeus ;"s then " f"r better sour!e for true physi!s' Pro!lus pro u!e e"rly in his life " v"st Commentary on the !imaeus of ;hi!h 3"bout4 the first h"lf survives' (
(

)f' Festugigre 319::684, ( 2396-8'

In the rest of this !h"pter 1 I sh"ll is!uss the !on!eption of Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l physi!s th"t Pro!lus evelops in this Commentary in !onne!tion ;ith the intrepret"tion of the physi!s of the !imaeus'

2' Pl"to/s !imaeus "s /Pyth"gore"n/ Physi!s

*t the beginning of his Commentary Pro!lus "nnoun!es his vie; th"t Pl"to/s !imaeus is inspire by " ;or1 of the Pyth"gore"n #i&"eus of =o!ri2 *n in ee the boo1 by the Pyth"gore"n #i&"eus On Nature, ;ritten in " Pyth"gore"n &"nner, /st"rting fro& ;hi!h Pl"to e&b"r1e on ;riting the !imaeus/, "!!or ing to the ;riter of sylloi' 0e h"ve pl"!e this boo1 "t the he" of our !o&&ent"ry so th"t ;e ;ill be "ble to see ;h"t Pl"to/s #i&"eus s"ys th"t "grees , ;h"t Pl"to " s, ;here there is is"gree&ent' 3I 1, 861:F !f' 9, 186214
en p'199

#here is so&e in i!"tion in the &"nus!ript tr" ition th"t the suppose Pyth"gore"n origin"l ;"s in ee pl"!e before Pro!lus/ Commentary' )
)

)f' 5"rg 319924, 2'

Further&ore it ;ill be noti!e th"t Pro!lus/ proGe!tEto !o&&ent on his te8t by &e"suring it "g"inst its Pyth"gore"n sour!eEis the s"&e "s th"t ;hi!h I"&bli!hus h" " opte before in !o&&enting on *ristotle/s Categories, ;hen he h" &e"sure *ristotle "g"inst the put"tive origin"l, 3pseu o64*r!hyt"s' In ee it is li1ely enough th"t I"&bli!hus h" use the s"&e "ppro"!h in his 3lost4 Commentary on the !imaeus, !o&p"ring Pl"to ;ith #i&"eus of =o!ri, "n th"t Pro!lus here is follo;ing his le" ' *
*

So <"r er 3192:4, 8vi68viiF !f' "bove, pp' 9:, 99' 5"rg !on!e es th"t his oubts on this "re " little e8"gger"te , 319924, 92'

#here "re so&e ifferen!es, ho;ever, bet;een the ;"y Pro!lus uses #i&"eus of =o!ri in his Commentary on the !imaeus "n I"&bli!hus/ use of 3pseu o64*r!hyt"s in his Commentary on the Categories' I"&bli!hus 1eeps *r!hyt"s very &u!h in &in , Buotes hi& freBuently, "n vigorously !o&p"res *ristotle 3to his is" v"nt"ge4 to *r!hyt"s' %n the other h"n Pro!lus refers to #i&"eus of =o!ri !o&p"r"tively little in his Commentary on the !imaeus, "n then in " ;"y th"t "ssu&es or "rgues for "gree&ent bet;een #i&"eus "n Pl"to' .

In !im' II 99, -611F 101, 961-F 188, 96190, 11F III 138, 3611'

5"y ;e therefore !on!lu e th"t Pro!lus gr" u"lly "b"n one or forgot the I"&bli!he"n "ppro"!h to ;hi!h he subs!ribe "t the beginning of his ;or1> /
/

)f' <"r er, lo!' !it'F 5"rg 319924, 9162'

)oul this h"ve to o ;ith the retre"t of Pyth"gore"ns in f"vour of Pl"to th"t h"s "lre" y been observe in Pro!lus> *ppe"ling "s these possibilities &"y be, I believe th"t they "re open to so&e serious obGe!tions' First of "ll the r"nge of te8t sp"nne by Pro!lus/ referen!es to #i&"eus of =o!ri 3see note . 4 sho;s th"t Pro!lus i not "b"n on or forget hi&' #hen it &ust be stresse th"t for I"&bli!hus 3"n Pro!lus4 *ristotle ;"s so&ething of " evi"nt reBuiring "!tive "n !onst"nt !orre!tion, ;here"s the h"r&onious rel"tions bet;een " true Pyth"gore"n "n Pl"to ;oul s!"r!ely !"ll for su!h !riti!"l vigil"n!e' #hus the ifferen!e in e8egeti!"l pr"!ti!e resulting fro& the ifferent rel"tionships bet;een *r!hyt"s "n *ristotle "n bet;een #i&"eus of =o!ri "n Pl"to &ight suffi!e to "!!ount for the less pro&inent role of #i&"eus of =o!ri in Pro!lus/ Commentary "s !o&p"re to th"t of *r!hyt"s in I"&bli!hus/ Commentary on the Categories' #hir ly, "lthough Pro!lus oes in ee istinguish
en p'180

bet;een " Pyth"gore"n revel"tory "ppro"!h "n the So!r"ti! e&onstr"tive &etho , he "lso subor in"tes the figure of So!r"tes to th"t of #i&"eus in "n"logy to the subor in"tion of lo;er to higher beings 3I 3.-, .61:4, "n the figure of #i&"eus in Pl"to/s i"logue he !h"r"!teri?es "s " Pyth"gore"n ;hose is!ourse fun!tions "n is to be interprete "!!or ing to Pyth"gore"n prin!iples' $0
$0

In !im' I 129, 3162F 223, .6:F III 1:8, 969F !f' In Parm' 923, 19620F !heol3 Plat' I( 88, 2 ff'

Fin"lly, Pro!lus in i!"tes th"t he reg"r s Pl"to/s !imaeus "s " Pyth"gore"n ;or1 3I 1., 236.4, e8e&plifying " Pyth"gore"n "ppro"!h to physi!s 320-, 36.4' In ee Pl"to "lone, "s !o&p"re to other physi!ists 3one thin1s of *ristotle4, follo;e Pyth"gore"n &etho s "n o!trines' $$
$$

In !im' I 1, 2.6:F 2, 2963, -F 33, 9611F 2:2, 10611F 2:9, 162'

I believe !onseBuently th"t the Commentary on the !imaeus sho;s " ten en!y to Pyth"gore"ni?e in the &"nner of I"&bli!hus "n Syri"nus, " ten en!y less pronoun!e in Pro!lus/ other ;or1s' * telling sign of this !"n be foun in the f"!t th"t the Commentary &"1es use of " goo nu&ber of spe!ifi! /Pyth"gore"n/ "uthorities "n te8ts, ;here"s the usu"l pr"!ti!e in Pro!lus/ other ;or1s is to refer on o!!"sion "n in " v"gue ;"y to /the Pyth"gore"ns/ 3"bove, !h' 9 n' 2:4' #he re"son for the p"rti!ul"r Pyth"gore"n e&ph"sis of the Commentary on the !imaeus !"n be sur&ise 2 ;e 1no; th"t it ;"s one of Pro!lus/ first &"Gor ;or1s, !o&plete prob"bly shortly "fter Syri"nus/ e"th, "n it is " f"ir guess th"t it refle!ts in so&e respe!ts, espe!i"lly in its e"rlier p"rts, the influen!e of Syri"nus' $%

$%

#hus, for e8"&ple, the ontologi!"l subor in"tion of the figures of the i"logue "ppe"rs to be Syri"nus/ i e" 3Pro!lus, In !im' I 20, 29 ff'2 #i&"eus "s the /&on" / of the group4' )f' Shepp"r 319804, 3-68'

3' #he ,eo&etri!"l 5etho of Pl"to/s Physi!s

It re&"ins to eter&ine the e8tent to ;hi!h Pro!lus/ progr"&&"ti! !l"i&s for the Pyth"gore"n !h"r"!ter of Pl"to/s !imaeus "ffe!t the "!tu"l interpret"tion of physi!s to be foun in his Commentary' #o ;h"t e8tent, in p"rti!ul"r, oes Pro!lus evelop the !imaeus into " ;or1 of &"the&"ti!"l physi!s> In ;h"t sense oes Pro!lus sho; the physi!s of Pl"to/s i"logue to be &"the&"ti!"l> Pl"to hi&self brings in so &u!h &"the&"ti!s th"t it &ight "t first "ppe"r i&possible for " !o&&ent"tor not to fin &"the&"ti!"l physi!s in the i"logue' Iet Pl"to/s te8t presents &ore th"n enough "&biguities "n iffi!ulties to
en p'181

le"ve open for the interpreter " ;i e r"nge of possible "ppro"!hes "n options' In the first se!tion of this !h"pter the !hief !ontribution of &"the&"ti!s to physi!"l "rgu&ent in the lements of Physics ;"s foun to be &etho ologi!"l2 *ristotle/s te8t ;"s given the stri!t e&onstr"tive for& Pro!lus "ssu&e to be !h"r"!teristi! of geo&etri! &etho ' In his Commentary on the !imaeus Pro!lus es!ribes the &etho of Pl"to/s !imaeus "lso "s /geo&etri!"l/, ;hi!h is to s"y rigorously syllogisti! in for&' <o;ever, #i&"eus/ is!ourse is pre!e e in the i"logue by )riti"s/ re!ounting of the &yth of *tl"ntis' #his follo;s, "!!or ing to Pro!lus, the Pyth"gore"n pr"!ti!e of fore6sh" o;ing ;ith i&"ges the s!ientifi! "!!ount th"t begins ;ith #i&"eus/ is!ourse' $&
$&

In !im' I -, 869, ;ith 30, 2610F 33, 1611'

#i&"eus then proposes five hypotheses or "8io&s, fro& ;hi!h he erives physi!"l !on!lusions of ;hi!h the first three "re2 th"t the ;orl is !onstitute F by " e&iurgeF ;ho &" e use of "n etern"l p"r" ig&' In the follo;ing !o&&ent"ry Pro!lus freBuently e&ph"si?es the geo&etri! &etho th"t he believes !h"r"!teri?es #i&"eus/ spee!h' *s this &otif in Pro!lus/ Commentary h"s been fully e8"&ine else;here, $'
$'

By Festugigre 319::684, II 969, "lso 319:34, .:.69F to Festugigre/s evi en!e one !oul " !im' I 2:., 3 ff'F 283, 1.619F 332, :69F 3-., 36-F II 9, 19620F 11-, 1-61.'

In

it ;ill be suffi!ient &erely to note th"t the "ssi&il"tion of s!ientifi! 3 e&onstr"tive4 to geo&etri! &etho is !h"r"!teristi! of Pro!lus not only here "n in the lements of Physics but "lso, "s ;e ;ill see, in his &et"physi!"l 3theologi!"l4 ;or1s, "n th"t this "ssi&il"tion is rel"te to the "ttitu e to geo&etry e8presse in his Commentary on uclid'

-' Is Physi!s " S!ien!e>

5"the&"ti!s in the for& of geo&etry len s &u!h &ore to physi!s th"n &erely its syllogisti! &etho ' It "lso helps to resolve for Pro!lus " &"Gor proble& pose by the physi!s of Pl"to/s !imaeus, n"&ely th"t !on!erning the Buestion"ble s!ientifi! st"tus of physi!s' #he proble& is intro u!e by #i&"eus to;"r s the beginning of his is!ourse 3!im' 29 b !42 *n in spe"1ing of the !opy "n the origin"l ;e &"y "ssu&e th"t ;or s "re "1in to the &"tter ;hi!h they es!ribeF ;hen they rel"te to the l"sting "n per&"nent "n intelligible, they ought to be l"sting
en p'182

"n un"lter"ble, "n , "s f"r "s their n"ture "llo;s, irrefut"ble "n i&&ov"bleE nothing less' But ;hen they e8press only the !opy or li1eness "n not the etern"l things the&selves, they nee only be li1ely "n "n"logous to the re"l ;or s' *s being is to be!o&ing, so is truth to belief' 3#r"nsl' @o;ett4 #his p"ss"ge !"sts " sh" o; over the !os&ology th"t follo;s, for it suggests th"t true "n "bi ing, i'e' s!ientifi!, st"te&ents !"n be &" e only of the For&s "n th"t "ll th"t !"n be !l"i&e for ;h"t is s"i "bout the physi!"l ;orl is li1elihoo , not truth' In this sense then there !"n be no s!ien!e of n"ture, stri!tly spe"1ing, nor !"n #i&"eus/ "!!ount be t"1en to be su!h " s!ien!e' #he interpreter of Pl"to see&s f"!e ;ith " !hoi!e bet;een ignoring or glossing over this p"ss"ge, so "s to be "ble to reg"r the !os&ology of the !imaeus "s s!ientifi!F $(
$(

In the strong ,ree1 sense of s!ien!e of !ourse' #o the e8tent th"t &o ern physi!s reg"r s its !l"i&s "s prob"ble, it see&s to be no &ore "&bitious th"n #i&"eus/ is!ourse'

"b"n oning the hope of fin ing physi!"l s!ien!e in the !imaeusF or eter&ining the ;"y in ;hi!h "n "!!ount of n"ture, in being /li1ely/, "tt"ins " !ert"in egree of truth "n to this e8tent "ppro"!hes, ;ithout being, s!ien!e' Pro!lus resolves the proble& "long the lines of the thir option, using " 1ey provi e by the stru!ture of geo&etri!"l e&onstr"tions' Su!h e&onstr"tions rest on "8io&s "n hypotheses, ;hi!h !"n thus be reg"r e "s the prin!iples or /!"uses/ fro& ;hi!h !on!lusions in geo&etry result or "re erive ' In physi!s the ;orl "n its !ontents "re the results 3/!on!lusions/4 to be e8pl"ine , to be rel"te b"!1, th"t is, to their !onstitutive first prin!iples' But for " Pl"tonist su!h prin!iples 3both of the ;orl "n of s!ientifi! is!ourse4 &ust be tr"ns!en ent, i&&"teri"l, "n un!h"nging' Pl"toni! physi!s &ust then begin "n be erive fro& &et"6physi!"l !"uses' But this "lso &e"ns th"t it is b"se on i&&"teri"l un!h"nging truths "n in this ;"y is rel"te to s!ien!e' #hus is!ourse "bout the ;orl !"n be true to the e8tent th"t it refers to tr"ns!en ent prin!iples' *n it is the rel"tion bet;een "8io&s`hypotheses "n !on!lusions in geo&etry th"t serves to bring out the s!ientifi! b"sis of physi!s' $)
$)

)f' I 339, 296338, ., ;ith 3-:, 2963-9, 2F 3-8, 2369'

*n e8"&ple ;ill help to illustr"te "n spe!ify further the e8tent of the s!ientifi! !l"i&s of physi!s' Propositions hel to be univers"lly true o!!ur in "strono&y' #hey "re true in this ;"y, ho;ever, only to the e8tent th"t they e8press the univers"l &"the&"ti!"l l";s to ;hi!h the he"vens "re subGe!t' In so f"r "s they "pply to p"rti!ul"r he"venly
en p'183

bo ies they "re li"ble to be in"!!ur"te' #hus if the "strono&i!"l l"; th"t /the !elesti"l !ir!les bise!t e"!h other/ is univers"lly true, this h"s to o ;ith the geometrical prin!iples "t issue, for in the !"se of p"rti!ul"r !elesti"l bo ies there !"n be no point of bise!tion in the geo&etri!"l sense reBuire by the l";2 " physi!"l point of bise!tion is ivisible, therefore efe!tive, "s !o&p"re to the in ivisibility of the geo&etri!"l point' $*
$*

In !im' I 3-9, :63.0, 1F 3-:, 2963-9, 2F !f' In Parm' 99:, 2:639' For this in Pl"to !f' *llen 319904, 1:36-'

#he efi!ien!y of su!h l";s ;hen "pplie to physi!"l bo ies rel"tes not only, ho;ever, to the ifferen!e in ontologi!"l !h"r"!ter bet;een these bo ies "n the i&&"teri"l prin!iples fro& ;hi!h the l";s erive' It is "lso ue to the f"!t th"t ;e 1no; of physi!"l obGe!ts through sense per!eption, ;hi!h li&its our s!opeEour "!!ess to the he"vens, for e8"&pleE"n &"1es us prey to "ll sorts of per!eptu"l error' $.
$.

I 3.1, 263.2, 29F 3-:, 1263-9, 2F !f' II .1, :629F Blu&enth"l 319824, 9610'

In f"!t the s!ientifi! "spe!t of physi!s "n 3yet4 its f"ilure to "tt"in "nything &ore th"n prob"bility refle!t its hybri !h"r"!ter2 in intro u!ing &"the&"ti!"l l";s it st"rts fro& " b"sis inspire by univers"l "n unerring prin!iplesF but the for&ul"tion of these l";s by, "n in rel"tion to, physi!"l bo ies i&inishes their univers"lity "n "!!ur"!y, given the /err"nt/ n"ture of these bo ies "n the f"llibility of our per!eptu"l "!!ess to the&' #he /&i8e / !h"r"!ter of physi!s $/
$/

)f' "lso I -10, 11619F III 3.:, 19622'

is foun by Pro!lus "lso in the f"!t th"t &u!h of #i&"eus/ is!ourse is !on!erne , not ;ith the ;orl , but ;ith its tr"ns!en ent / ivine/ !"uses2 the e&iurge, the For&s, the lesser go s, soul' In this sense the !imaeus !"n be reg"r e "s " /theology/2 not " theology, or s!ien!e of the ivine per se su!h "s Pro!lus fin s in the Parmenides, but " is!ourse on the ivine "s pro u!ing the ;orl 2 #hus So!r"tes sho;s th"t he ;ishes the physi!s to be Pyth"gore"n, one th"t begins fro& the ivine !"use, "n not one su!h "s he reGe!te in the Phaedo, ;hi!h blin s the eye of the soul, hol ing "s responsible !"uses ;in s "n ether "!!or ing to *n"8"gor"s' For true physi!s &ust be "tt"!he to theology, "s n"ture epen s upon the go s' %0

%0

I 20-, 3610F !f' "lso I 8, -613F 8-, 2268., -F 219, 2.68F III 1.2, 9 ff'F 1:8, 9620'

#he referen!e to Pyth"gore"nis& re&in s us th"t I"&bli!hus, "!!or ing to Pro!lus, e&ph"si?e the theologi!"l "spe!ts of the !imaeus' %$
%$

)f' I"&bli!hus, In !im' frs' 2., .-' )o&p"re I"&bli!hus Comm' .:, 36- 3Buote "bove, p' 1:24'
en p'18-

But it is not !le"r ho; &u!h of Pro!lus/ e8pl"n"tion of the se&i6s!ientifi! st"tus of physi!s he o;e to I"&bli!hus' #hese i e"s "lso e8pl"in for Pro!lus the superiority of the physi!s of Pl"to to th"t of *ristotle' *ristotle !on!erns hi&self &"inly ;ith i&&"nent !"uses, &"tter "n for& in n"ture, "n p"ys less "ttention th"n oes Pl"to to the tr"ns!en ent effi!ient, p"r" ig&"ti!, "n fin"l !"uses 3I 2, 1.63, 204' It follo;s th"t to the e8tent th"t he negle!ts the ivine presupposites of n"ture *ristotle i&inishes th"t ;hi!h gives physi!s ;h"t s!ientifi! v"lue it !"n h"ve 3!f' I 29., 2:694'

.' #he *ppli!"tion of 5"the&"ti!"l #ruths in Physi!s

It !"n be seen fro& the pre!e ing se!tion th"t the !ontribution of &"the&"ti!s to physi!s is not !onfine to the "re" of &etho ' ,eo&etry provi es " s!ientifi! for& of e&onstr"tion to physi!s' But physi!s "lso intro u!es spe!ifi! &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "n l";s in its e8pl"n"tions' 0h"t &ight be !"lle the subst"ntive 3"s !o&p"re to the &etho ologi!"l4 !ontribution of &"the&"ti!s to physi!s is no less i&port"nt for Pro!lus th"n it is for I"&bli!hus' * p"rti!ul"rly stri1ing "spe!t of Pro!lus/ Commentary on the !imaeus is the so&e;h"t !o&pli!"te , obliBue ;"y in ;hi!h &"the&"ti!"l truths "re so&eti&es "pplie to physi!s' #hey "re not si&ply re" into n"ture, but "re tr"nsfor&e in v"rious ;"ys in the !ourse of being "pplie ' In or er to re"!h " better un erst"n ing of this pro!e ure it ;ill be useful to e8"&ine on!e &ore the pl"!e of &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts in the s!he&e of re"lity, in p"rti!ul"r *is9:9*is n"tur"l obGe!ts' For it is " re"son"ble "ssu&ption th"t the ontologi!"l rel"tions bet;een these ifferent sorts of obGe!ts i&ply !ert"in !on itions governing the "ppli!"tion of the one sort to the other' #he n"ture of &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts "s proGe!tions of prin!iples inn"te in the soul h"s been is!usse "bove in )h"pter 8 in !onne!tion ;ith the Commentary on uclid' <o;ever, the pl"!e of this n"ture in the stru!ture of re"lity, "s eter&ine by Pro!lus in the Commentary on the !imaeus, re&"ins to be i entifie ' 0e &ight begin ;ith the si&plifie three6level syste&E sensible`&"the&"ti!"l`intelligible obGe!tsEth"t I"&bli!hus "ttributes 3 Comm3 10, 9611, 1.4 to the /Pyth"gore"ns/' #he s"&e /Pyth"gore"n/ syste& re"ppe"rs in Syri"nus
en p'18.

3"bove, p' 1314 "n in Pro!lus/ Commentary on the !imaeus, "t I 8, 13629, "n "g"in "t II 23, 962.2 *fter the &"the&"ti!"l gr"sp of these ;or s 3!im3 31 !632 "4 ;e &ust turn to " physi!"l interpret"tion' For ;e &ust not igress by re&"ining in &"the&"ti!s 3for the i"logue is "bout physi!s4, nor &ust ;e negle!t &"the&"ti!s, see1ing out only the per!eptible, but ;e &ust Goin the t;o "n "l;"ys ;e"ve together &"the&"ti!"ls "n physi!"ls, Gust "s the re"lities the&selves "re ;oven together "n "re ho&ogeneous "n of the s"&e p"rent %%
%%

* Plotini"n i&"ge 3!f' I( 3, :, 1061.4 th"t re!"lls "lso *r!hyt"s "s Buote by I"&bli!hus 3Comm3 31, -69 C In Nic3 9, 16.4'

"!!or ing to the eriv"tion fro& Intelle!t' *n in ee if in gener"l the Pyth"gore"ns pl"!e &"the&"ti!"l re"lity bet;een intelligibles "n sensibles, "s &ore unfol e th"n intelligibles "n "s &ore univers"l th"n sensibles, ;hy then &ust ;e thin1 only of physi!s, negle!ting &"the&"ti!"ls> For ho; is the sensible org"ni?e > *!!or ing to ;h"t prin!iples> Fro& ;h"t prin!iples i it !o&e if not &"the&"ti!"l ones> Su!h prin!iples then obt"in first in souls, h"ving es!en e fro& Intelle!t, "n then "re foun in bo ies h"ving !o&e fro& souls' Pro!lus in i!"tes "t v"rious points in his Commentary th"t !ert"in istin!tions &ust be intro u!e in the three6level s!he&e' 3i4 Firstly, for the human soul "s 1no;er, ;e &ust istinguish bet;een the obGe!ts of its &"the&"ti!"l thought "n the &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples !onstituting its essen!e2 "lthough the &on" i! Bu"ntit"tive nu&bers of "rith&eti! "re i&"ges of the essenti"l psy!hi! nu&bers, the for&er "re not to be !onfuse ;ith the l"tter' %&
%&

)f' In !im3 II 1:-, 1961:., 12F 1::, -612F 193, 19629F 212, .69' )f' "bove, p' 133 3Syri"nus4'

In the !imaeus Pl"to intro u!es geo&etri!"l "n h"r&oni! ele&ents in the !onstitution of the soul2 Pro!lus in i!"tes th"t these "lso "re not to be interprete "!!or ing to or in"ry &"the&"ti!"l us"ge 3"s the obGe!ts stu ie in &"the&"ti!s4, but "re to be un erstoo in " higher sense 3II 2-., 2362-:, -4' In ee "ll four of the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es "re pre6!ont"ine essenti"lly "t " higher level in the !onstituents of soul 3II 238, 106239, 1:4' 3ii4 * istin!tion &ust "lso be &" e bet;een psy!hi! essenti"l nu&ber, the &"the&"ti!"l unfol ing or is!ursive i&"ge of this, "n the e&piri!"l or /opin"tive/ nu&ber pro u!e in the per!eptu"l observ"tions of "strono&y' %'
%'

)f' In !im3 I 2.., 962:F III 8., 23631F 89, 9613'

Both &"the&"ti!"l "n opin"tive nu&ber "re gener"te fro& psy!hi! nu&ber, but opin"tive nu&ber is erive indirectly, through per!eption of en&"ttere i&"ges 3/physi!"l nu&bers/4 of
en p'18:

psy!hi! nu&ber' 3iii4 %ther istin!tions nee to be &" e in !onne!tion ;ith di*ine soul "s org"ni?er of the ;orl ' Pro!lus &"1es use of the I"&bli!he"n notion of /physi!"l nu&bers/ "s i&&"nent for&"tive !"uses, "n istinguishes the& 3"s i&"ges4 fro& the &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "!!or ing to ;hi!h soul org"ni?es the ;orl ' %(
%(

)f' In !im3 II 2., 163F 39, 18619F 1:1, 9612F 1:-, 2168F 1::, -612F 193, 19629F !f' In Parm3 8:9,

3'

#he l"tter &ust be !losely rel"te or i enti!"l to the psy!hi! &"the&"ti!"ls ;ith ;hi!h the e&iurge !o&poses soul/s n"ture' In this ;or1 the e&iurge i&it"tes the For&s, ;hi!h in !onseBuen!e !"n "lso be referre to "s /nu&ber/' %)
%)

In !im3 II 19-, -619F !f' I -1, 2.6-2, 2F II 1:1, 3632F III 19, 1-62:F 32, 2:F 7ypo3 astron3 2, 16.'

#he subGe!t of /i e"l/ "n / ivine/ nu&ber ;ill be e8"&ine in the ne8t !h"pter "n nee not el"y us here' #his s!he&e of ifferent sorts "n levels of nu&bers, ;hi!h is essenti"lly the s"&e "s th"t propose by Syri"nus, &"y be use to eter&ine the !on itions un er ;hi!h &"the&"ti!s is "ppli!"ble in physi!s roughly "s follo;s' #o be use in physi!s, the obGe!ts ;ith ;hi!h the &"the&"ti!i"n e"ls &ust, on the one h"n , be purifie of the fe"tures pro u!e through their being proGe!te fro& the soul/s n"ture' #hese fe"tures in!lu e Bu"ntity in "rith&eti!"ls "n e8tension in geo&etri!"ls' By re&oving su!h " itions in &"the&"ti!"ls ;e !"n "ppro"!h ne"rer to the prin!iples inn"te in the soul ;hi!h, "s ivine e&iurgi! prin!iples, gui e her in her org"ni?"tion of the ;orl ' *llo;"n!e &ust be &" e, on the other h"n , for the f"!t th"t the prin!iples of the soul "re not e8presse perfe!tly in the ;orl 2 the &"teri"lity of the ;orl i&inishes the univers"lity "n "!!ur"!y of su!h prin!iples "s refle!te in the ;orl ' #hese t;o reBuire&ents sho; th"t "n in ire!t "n Bu"lifie , r"ther th"n " ire!t "n si&ple "ppli!"tion of &"the&"ti!s to physi!s is "ppropri"te' %ur reli"n!e on per!eption for &"t!hing &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples ;ith their physi!"l "n"logues intro u!es " further li&iting f"!tor' #he results of /opin"tive/ &"the&"ti!s, su!h "s "strono&i!"l !"l!ul"tion b"se on observ"tion, &ust, it "ppe"rs, be f"r inferior to those of /proGe!te / &"the&"ti!s sin!e they o not erive fro& is!ursive "rti!ul"tion of the psy!hi! prin!iples governing the ;orl , but epen on per!eption &e i"ting p"rti!ul"ri?e "n fleeting inst"nti"tions of su!h prin!iples' Su!h Bu"lifi!"tions "n !on itions for the "ppli!"tion in physi!s of &"the&"ti!s !"n pl"usibly be inferre , I believe, fro& Pro!lus/
en p'189

s!he&e of re"lity' 0hether he oes in f"!t observe the& &"y be eter&ine "t le"st in the follo;ing e8"&ples of the use of &"the&"ti!s in his Commentary' 3i4 In the first !"se Pro!lus is !o&&enting 3II 20, 19628, 94 on the p"ss"ge of the !imaeus !on!erning the proportion 3 UQYV\ Q4 th"t the e&iurge uses to lin1 "n unify the ele&ents of the ;orl 2 0herefore "lso ,o in the beginning of !re"tion &" e the bo y of the universe to !onsist of fire "n e"rth' But t;o things !"nnot be rightly put together ;ithout " thir F there &ust be so&e bon of union bet;een the&' *n the f"irest bon is th"t ;hi!h &"1es the &ost !o&plete fusion of itself "n the things ;hi!h it !o&bines, "n proportion is best " "pte to effe!t su!h " union' For ;henever in "ny three nu&bers, ;hether !ube or sBu"re, there is " &e"n, ;hi!h is to the l"st ter& ;h"t the first ter& is to it, "n "g"in ;hen the &e"n is to the first ter& "s the l"st ter& to the &e"nEthen the &e"n be!o&ing first "n l"st, "n the first

"n l"st both be!o&ing &e"ns, they ;ill "ll of the& of ne!essity !o&e to be the s"&e, "n h"ving be!o&e the s"&e ;ith one "nother ;ill be "ll one' 3 !im3 31 !6 32 ", tr"nsl' @o;ett4 *s in other si&il"r inst"n!es, Pro!lus is!usses first the &"the&"ti!"l "spe!ts of this p"ss"ge "n then turns, in " !le"rly &"r1e tr"nsition, to !onsi er the p"ss"ge ;ith referen!e to its physi!"l o!trine' 3"4 #he mathematical Buestion the p"ss"ge poses for hi& !on!erns the 1in of proportionE"rith&eti!, geo&etri! or h"r&oni!Eto ;hi!h Pl"to is referring' Pro!lus "grees ;ith Ni!o&"!hus 3Intro3 arith3 129, 1-6204 th"t Pl"to is thin1ing of geo&etri! proportion' For Pl"to spe"1s of the same rel"tion 3Y \VR4 bet;een e8tre&e "n &i le ter&s 3in geo&etri! proportion the proportion is the s"&e, e'g' ouble in 122 C 22-4, not of "n eBu"l Bu"ntit"tive ifferen!e bet;een the ter&s 3"s in "n "rith&eti! proportion su!h "s 122 C 2234, nor of the s"&e fr"!tions of the e8tre&es 3"s in " h"r&oni! proportion su!h "s 32- C -2:, ;here the &i le ter& e8!ee s "n is e8!ee e by " thir of the e8tre&es4' %*
%*

)f' Ni!o&"!hus, Intro3 arith3 12:, 126128, 19'

Pro!lus then brings out the property or fe"ture !h"r"!teristi! of geo&etri! proportion, n"&ely the identity 3PQ[P P]R4 of rel"tion th"t the &i le ter& pro u!es in reg"r to the e8tre&es, bin ing the& together "n !o&&uni!"ting to e"!h the s"&e rel"tion' #his i entity he reg"r s "s superior to the /eBu"lity/ !h"r"!teristi! of "rith&eti!"l proportions "n to the /si&il"rity/ he "ttributes to h"r&oni! proportions, "n he es!ribes it "s le" ing up to "n epen ing on unity 3 UcONR4'
en p'188

Pro!lus then &oves 3b4 to the physical interpret"tion of the Pl"toni! p"ss"ge 3II 23, 94' <e stresses th"t the &"the&"ti!"l theory &ust not be !onfuse ;ith the physi!s of the p"ss"ge, for the tr"nsition is /to "nother genus/, %.
%.

II 23, 3062F this is *ristotle/s !"ve"t, An3 post3 I 9, 9. " 38'

but th"t the &"the&"ti!"l theory !"n thro; light on the physi!s' 0h"t then in physi!s is the proportion bin ing the ele&ents of the ;orl > For Pro!lus it is the !os&i! life th"t penetr"tes the ;orl giving it the unifie life of " living "ni&"l' #here "re other prin!iples of unifi!"tionEthe e&iurgi! !"uses /"bove/ this life "n the p"rti!ul"r for&s "n Bu"lities of the ele&ents /belo;/Ebut Pro!lus t"1es Pl"to to be referring to "n i&&"nent 3r"ther th"n tr"ns!en ent4 "n !"us"tive 3r"ther th"n !"use 4 /physi!"l proportion/, the life6prin!iple of the universe' #he living te8ture "n rhyth& of the universe refle!t the ;or1 of this physi!"l "n"logue of geo&etri! proportion2 it gives physi!"l subst"n!es /r"tion"l "n ho&ologous/ %/
%/

%n these &"the&"ti!"l ter&s !f' Festugigre " lo!' 3III .2 n' 24F !f' In !im3 I 19, -6:'

rel"tionships to e"!h other, i'e' the s"&e proportion"l rel"tions lin1 the& "s ter&s in " seriesF it pro u!es the evelop&ent out of unity "n return to its

!"use, the &ultiplying "n reuniting of the life of the ;orl , " p"ttern th"t re!"lls the progressive "n regressive "spe!ts of geo&etri! proportion2 the subseBuent ter&s of " geo&etri! series "re pro u!e by the s"&e proportionF the &i le ter& /brings b"!1/ the thir to the first ter&' #he p"rti!ip"tion of the ele&ents in e"!h other in the ;orl "lso h"s its "n"logue in geo&etri! proportion, in ;hi!h e8tre&e ter&s !"n fun!tion "s &e"ns 3e'g' 22- C 1224' Pro!lus fin"lly "ttributes i entity to the !os&i! life, " fe"ture !orrespon ing to the property he foun to be !h"r"!teristi! of geo&etri! proportion' Pro!lus oes not propose then " ire!t &"the&"ti!"l re" ing of the physi!s of Pl"to/s p"ss"ge' For hi& Pl"to is not si&ply thin1ing of " &"the&"ti!"l proportion lin1ing the ele&ents of the universe' $"ther, " physical !"use &ust be foun th"t possesses " n"ture "n fun!tion "n"logous to ;h"t is !h"r"!teristi! of geo&etri! proportion' #he p"r"llel bet;een this physi!"l !"use 3the !os&i! life6prin!iple4 "n geo&etri! proportion is evelope in su!h " ;"y "s to "voi &"the&"ti?ing the spe!ifi! physi!"l !h"r"!ter 3or !"tegori"l o&"in4 of this !"use "n its effe!ts' #he geo&etri! proportion of the &"the&"ti!i"n is not the bin ing po;er of the universe, but it illustr"tes in its o;n fiel fe"tures ;hi!h "lso "re foun in its /sister/ 3"bove, p' 18:4 in the n"tur"l re"l&' #he p"r"llel bet;een geo&etri! proportion "n the !os&i! life6prin!iple epen s, ;e !"n "ssu&e, on the f"!t th"t they
en p'189

represent proGe!tions of the s"&e origin"l psy!hi! prin!iple, the one in the is!ursive thought "n i&"gin"tion of the geo&eter, the other in the &"teri"l ;orl ' Pro!lus oes not tell us ;h"t geo&etri! proportion purifie of its proGe!te 3 is!ursive, e8ten e 4 "spe!t &ight turn out to be, but one !"n i&"gine th"t it ;oul !oin!i e essenti"lly ;ith the !os&i! life6prin!iple' <e oes, ho;ever, "llo; for the istortions th"t the &"teri"l ;orl !"n pro u!e in the "!tion of this life6 prin!iple2 sensible obGe!ts, "s ivisible "n /other/, "tt"in i entity "n unity only in th"t, through the "!tion of the life6prin!iple, they re"!h "n /"ffinity to i entity "n , through it, to unity/ 329, 106134' 3ii4 #he se!on !"se of &"the&"ti!"l physi!s I propose to e8"&ine !o&es " little l"ter 3II 28, 1-6-2, 24, in !o&&ent"ry on the ne8t lines of the !imaeus2 If the univers"l fr"&e h" been !re"te " surf"!e only "n h"ving no epth, " single &e"n ;oul h"ve suffi!e to bin together itself "n the other ter&s, but no;, "s the ;orl &ust be soli , "n soli bo ies "re "l;"ys !o&p"!te not by one &e"n but by t;o, ,o pl"!e ;"ter "n "ir in the &e"n bet;een fire "n e"rth' 3!im3 32 " b, tr"nsl' @o;ett4 In e8pl"ining this p"ss"ge Pro!lus first "rgues, very &u!h "s *ristotle oes, th"t !h"nge t"1es pl"!e bet;een !ontr"ries "n th"t there &ust therefore be t;o !ontr"ry ele&ents of the ;orl , fire "n e"rth 3II 28, 1-630, 84' <e then tries to sho; ;hy t;o inter&e i"te ele&ents "re nee e to lin1 the e8tre&es' #he e&onstr"tion of the Pl"toni! postul"te is provi e first in &"the&"ti!"l "n then in physi!"l ter&s'

3"4 #he &"the&"ti!"l e&onstr"tion begins ;ith nu&bers, for they "re ;h"t is /origin"tive/ 3 dV NM R4 "n /self6e8istent/ 3Q PV [ R4 "s !o&p"re to /geo&etri!"l ne!essity/ 330, 1361.4F i'e' the obGe!ts of "rith&eti!, hen!e its e&onstr"tions, "re higher th"n those of geo&etry, thus ne"rer the sour!e in psy!hi! n"ture' &0
&0

)f' "lso 3-, -629, ;here it is !l"i&e th"t ;h"t Pl"to s"ys is truer in "rith&eti! th"n in geo&etry'

Pro!lus then "rgues th"t /soli / nu&bers 3!ubes4, "s istin!t fro& /pl"ne/ nu&bers 3sBu"res4, reBuire t;o &i le ter&s in " proportion2 e'g' in the series 8, 12, 18, 29, the !ubes th"t "re the e8tre&es 8 32&4 "n 29 33&4 "re lin1e by 12 32% w 34 "n 18 33% w 24, ;here"s only one &i le ter& may suffi!e to lin1 t;o pl"ne nu&bers, "s in the series 9 33%4, 12 33 w -4, 1: 3-%4' #he fun "&ent"l fe"ture of the &i le ter&s lin1ing t;o soli nu&bers 3!ubes4 is the f"!t th"t e"!h &i le ter& is &" e up of t;o /si es/ of one e8tre&e "n one si e of the other 3thus 2 % w 3 C 12, 3% w 2 C 184'
en p'190

3b4 #he s"&e prin!iples hol for Pro!lus in physi!s2 physi!"l pl"nes &"y be lin1e together by one &i le ter&, ;here"s physi!"l soli s reBuire t;o &i le ter&s' #hus t;o ele&ents, ;"ter "n "ir, "re nee e to !onne!t fire "n e"rth' %n the subGe!t of physi!"l pl"nes Pro!lus !ites the vie; of I"&bli!husE;ho& he pr"ises "s "lone h"ving gone beyon the &"the&"ti!"l proble& to !onsi er the physi!"l oneEth"t they "re the po;ers "n for&s of soli s' *s for soli s, in this !"se the ele&ents, the e8tre&es 3fire "n e"rth4 &ust e"!h !ont"in three po;ers or Bu"lities in or er to yiel the one ifferent "n t;o !o&&on Bu"lities nee e by the t;o &i le ter&s, "s e&onstr"te in the !"se of !ubi! nu&bers 339, 196 294' #his pro u!es the physi!"l series2 Fire 3fineness, sh"rpness, &obility4 *ir 3fineness, bluntness, &obility4 0"ter 3thi!1ness, bluntness, &obility4 7"rth 3thi!1ness, bluntness, i&&obility4' In this series the properties of the /&i le/ ele&ents lin1 the e8tre&es &u!h "s the /si es/ of the &i le ter&s lin1 !ubi! nu&bers2 e"!h &i le ele&ent is !o&pose of t;o Bu"lities of one e8tre&e "n one Bu"lity of the other' #he s"&e prin!iple of &e i"tion governs physi!"l "n "rith&eti!"l soli s' It "ppe"rs then th"t the physi!"l ele&ents "re lin1e to e"!h other "!!or ing to " stru!ture of ouble &e i"tion e!hoing th"t ;hi!h lin1s t;o soli nu&bers' #his represents but "n inst"n!e of the gener"l prin!iple th"t /physi!"ls "re i&"ges of &"the&"ti!"ls/ 339, 186194' <o;ever, Pro!lus oes not reg"r his e&onstr"tion of ;hy t;o &i le ele&ents "re reBuire "s &erely "n "ppli!"tion of &"the&"ti!"l theory in physi!s' <is "rgu&ent is b"se r"ther on "n"lysis of the physi!"l n"ture of the ele&ents the&selves, "n "n"lysis ;hi!h sho;s up the three "spe!ts th"t e"!h ele&ent &ust h"ve if it is to fun!tion ;ith the other ele&ents in the !onstitution of physi!"l bo ies' *n it is ;ith physi!"l, not

&"the&"ti!"l, "rgu&ents th"t Pro!lus reGe!ts theories "!!or ing to ;hi!h fe;er th"n four ele&ents &ight be reBuire or ;hi!h ;oul fin in e"!h ele&ent fe;er th"n three po;ers or Bu"lities reBuire to lin1 together the ele&ents' &$
&$

)f' 28, 20630, -F 39, 1-6-1, 9'

If then the s"&e stru!ture of ouble &e i"tion o!!urs both in &"the&"ti!s 3for soli nu&bers4 "n in physi!s 3for the ele&ents4, this is suppose to result,
en p'191

I ;oul suggest, not fro& ire!t "ppli!"tion of &"the&"ti!s to physi!s, but r"ther fro& the f"!t th"t &"the&"ti!s "rti!ul"tes in " !le"rer "n &ore "!!ur"te ;"y " prin!iple ;hi!h governs "n is e8presse "lso in " &ore i&perfe!t ;"y in the physi!"l stru!ture of the ;orl ' In this se!on !"se of Pro!lus/ use of &"the&"ti!s in rel"tion to physi!s, the "ppro"!h see&s to be "s in ire!t "n obliBue "s th"t observe in the first !"se' Pro!lus oes not si&ply settle issues in physi!s by referen!e to &"the&"ti!s' <o;ever, &"the&"ti!s sho;s up &ore !le"rly prin!iples th"t "lso obt"in in physi!s "n th"t !"n be for&ul"te on the b"sis of physi!"l "n"lysis' In both !"ses I believe ;e !"n !on!lu e th"t Pro!lus/ "ppro"!h to &"the&"ti!s in !onne!tion ;ith physi!"l theory is !onson"nt ;ith ;h"t one ;oul e8pe!t given the pl"!es "ssigne to &"the&"ti!"l "n physi!"l prin!iples ;ithin the stru!ture of re"lity' Pro!lus/ l"u "tory referen!e to I"&bli!hus/ "ttention 3in his lost Commentary on the !imaeus4 to the physi!"l i&ension r"ises the Buestion "s to the e8tent of Pro!lus/ ebt, in his ;"y of using &"the&"ti!s, to I"&bli!hus' )ert"inly I"&bli!hus ;"s "s !le"r "bout the nee to "voi !onfusing &"the&"ti!s ;ith physi!s, "s "bout the p"r" ig&"ti! v"lue of &"the&"ti!s in physi!s' *n it "ppe"rs to be the !"se th"t Pro!lus here 339, 1- ff'4 is follo;ing in gener"l I"&bli!hus/ physi!"l "ppro"!h "s es!ribe "t 3:, 20639, 1-, even if he is e8p"n ing, !l"rifying, "n perh"ps "ltering so&e of the et"ils of this "ppro"!h' 3iii4 #he thir !"se th"t I ;ish to &ention !on!erns Pro!lus/ use of /opin"tive/ &"the&"ti!s in physi!s' *s ;e &ight e8pe!t, !"l!ul"tions b"se on sense6 per!eption h"ve little v"lue for hi&' #hus, ;hen "strono&i!"l !"l!ul"tions le" to " theory of the pre!ession of the eBuino8es th"t !onfli!ts ;ith Pl"to/s syste&, Pro!lus oes not believe su!h !"l!ul"tions "re " &"t!h for the ivine "uthority of Pl"to "n the )h"l "e"ns' 7ven the observ"tions &" e by the )h"l "e"ns suffi!e, Pro!lus believes, to is!re it the theory' &%
&%

III 12-, 19612., -F !f' III :2, :6:3, 2- 3Festugigre " lo!' "lso refers to In 'emp' II 220, - ff'4' %n this subGe!t !f' Segon /s full stu y 319894'

:' )on!lu ing )o&&ent

#he results of the "bove stu y of Pro!lus/ tre"t&ent of physi!s sho; both his ebt to I"&bli!hus "n his origin"lity' <is preferen!e for
en p'192

geo&etry "&ong the &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es e8presses itself in his geo&etri!i?ing of *ristotle/s physi!s "n in his i entifi!"tion of the s!ientifi! &etho of Pl"to/s !imaeus "s /geo&etri!"l/ 3i'e' syllogisti!4' <o;ever he sh"res I"&bli!hus/ vie;s on the rel"tive v"lue of *ristotle/s "n Pl"to/s physi!s "n , in his Commentary on the !imaeus, tre"ts Pl"to/s physi!s "s essenti"lly /Pyth"gore"n/ in inspir"tion, " I"&bli!he"n "ppro"!h ue perh"ps to Syri"nus/ influen!e on the young Pro!lus' In interpreting the /Pyth"gore"n/ physi!s of Pl"to/s !imaeus, Pro!lus &"1es !onsi er"ble use of &"the&"ti!s "s " sour!e of p"r" ig&s for physi!s' <o;ever, he istinguishes bet;een the o&"ins of physi!s "n &"the&"ti!s "n oes not si&ply i&pose &"the&"ti!"l solutions to proble&s in physi!s' <is use of &"the&"ti!s is r"ther obliBue, refle!ting, I believe, the f"!t th"t &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "re not for hi& the ire!t &o el of the universe, but "re Bu"ntit"tive is!ursive proGe!tions by the hu&"n soul of higher prin!iples ;hi!h, on the ivine level, gui e the &"1ing of the ;orl ' In " Pyth"gore"n physi!s su!h "s th"t suggeste in Ni!o&"!hus/ ;or1s, " &ore ire!t "ppli!"tion of &"the&"ti!s to physi!s is "ssu&e , "n this is "lso the i&pression given by the fr"g&ents of I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (' <o;ever, I"&bli!hus is !le"r "bout the nee to "voi !onfusing &"the&"ti!s ;ith physi!s, "n Pro!lus pr"ises hi& for h"ving p"i "ttention, in his interpret"tion of the !imaeus, not only to the &"the&"ti!"l, but "lso to the physi!"l i&ension' * fin"l !o&&ent &ight be venture on I"&bli!hus/ "n Pro!lus/ Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l physi!s "s seen fro& " &o ern st"n 6point' #heir /re"lis&/ ;ith respe!t to the e8isten!e of &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts is !ert"inly " pl"usible position "n is !o&bine in "n interesting ;"y ;ith "nother pl"usible "ppro"!h in ;hi!h su!h obGe!ts "re e8pl"ine "s !onstru!tions 3/proGe!tions/4 for ;hi!h the &"the&"ti!i"n is responsible' &&
&&

)f' *nn"s 3199:4, 1.1'

0h"t ;oul !re"te gre"ter iffi!ulty to "y ;oul be the over"ll &et"physi!"l vie; "!!or ing to ;hi!h these !onstru!tions "re 3in ire!tly4 &o els of the universe, in so f"r "s the universe is the ;or1 of ivine soul using prin!iples fro& ;hi!h erive the proGe!tions of the &"the&"ti!i"n' %n the other h"n , this over"ll &et"physi!"l vie; !ert"inly gives so&e "!!ount of the &"the&"ti!"l b"!1groun of physi!s' <o;ever, the sense in ;hi!h physi!s is &"the&"ti!"l is no oubt very ifferent fro& ;h"t is the !"se in &o ern &"the&"ti!"l physi!s' %ne obvious ifferen!e !onsists in the 1in of
en p'193

&"the&"ti!s use by I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus' #his &"the&"ti!s is o&in"te by Ni!o&"!hus/ "rith&eti! ;hi!h, "p"rt fro& its &"the&"ti!"l li&it"tions, ten s to tre"t nu&bers "s if they e"!h possesse p"rti!ul"r Bu"lities or properties of " r"ther &et"physi!"l !h"r"!ter' #his "ttitu e to "rith&eti!, "s " sort of isguise &et"physi!s, "lso "ffe!ts Pro!lus/ vie; of 7u!li e"n geo&etry, sin!e here "lso geo&etri!"l figures "re "ssigne in ivi u"l &et"physi!"l properties' 0hen then it

!o&es to physi!s, ;hi!h in I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus t"1es the for& of "n *ristoteli"n n"tur"l philosophy revise so "s to !onfor& to Neopl"toni! &et"physi!s, " !orrespon en!e !"n be est"blishe bet;een it "n &"the&"ti!s for the si&ple re"son th"t both refle!t the s"&e &et"physi!"l "ssu&ptions' #his is surely very ifferent fro& the &"the&"ti!"l sy&boli?"tion "n "n"lysis of "bstr"!t Bu"ntit"tive rel"tions th"t &ight be reg"r e "s !h"r"!teristi! of &o ern &"the&"ti!"l physi!s' &'
&'

)f' S"&burs1y 319:.4, 3F Bruns!hvi!B 319294, :0'

en p'19-

$0 5"the&"ti!s "n 5et"physi!s in Pro!lus

sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara
In the pre!e ing !h"pter I h"ve "rgue th"t Pro!lus/ !on!eption of the rel"tions bet;een &"the&"ti!s "n physi!s, "s e8presse in his Commentary on the !imaeus, !"n be reg"r e "s representing Buite !losely I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;ith reg"r to physi!s' In this progr"&&e I"&bli!hus "lso pointe to the use of &"the&"ti!s in other s!ien!es, in ethi!s "n psy!hology for e8"&ple, "n &"teri"ls rel"ting to su!h " &"the&"ti!"l ethi!s "n &"the&"ti!"l psy!hology !"n "lso be foun in Pro!lus' $
$

)f' In !im' II 193, 9629F 19., 1162-F 212, 369F 239, 1162-0, 2F 2-., 2362-:, 9F III 339, 1962-F In 'emp' I 212, 23 ff'F II -9, 23 ff'F 13:, 19 ff'F 1:9, - ff'

<o;ever, &"the&"ti!s, for I"&bli!hus, ;"s of &ost i&port"n!e "s " prep"r"tion for "n "nti!ip"tion of the highest level of s!ien!e, th"t of the stu y of pure intelligible being "n of the go s' Pro!lus, "s h"s been seen, uses the s"&e "ppro"!h in his Commentary on uclid, "n in other ;or1s, in p"rti!ul"r in the lements of !heology, the Commentary on the Parmenides, "n the Platonic !heology, both is!usses &"the&"ti!"l tr"nspositions up;"r s to the ivine "n evelops in et"il "n "!!ount of the s!ien!e of the ivine, i"le!ti! or theology' *!!or ing to the re!onstru!tion propose "bove in !h"pter 3 of On Pythagoreanism (II, I"&bli!hus &"y possibly h"ve re"!te to *ristotle/s "tt"!1s on the Pl"toni! theory of intelligible For&s "n nu&bers, "nti!ip"ting the fuller response given by Syri"nus in his Commentary on the Metaphysics' It see&s "t "ny r"te th"t I"&bli!hus in his boo1 suggeste "n"logies bet;een the properties "n flo; of nu&bers fro& the &on" to the tri" 3"n possibly to the e!" 4 "n the go s, i'e' "n ulti&"te prin!iple, the %ne, "n "n or er of unities intervening bet;een it "n the level of intelligible being, the s"&e prin!iples being tr"!e in their lo;er for&s on the intelle!tu"l, psy!hi!, "n physi!"l levels' *t the s"&e ti&e I"&bli!hus stresse the li&it"tions of su!h theologi!"l tr"nspositions of

&"the&"ti!s, their inferiority "s !o&p"re to " higher "ppro"!h to the ivine' #his higher
en p'19.

"ppro"!h ;"s presente , it see&s, not in On Pythagoreanism itself, but in other pri&"rily theologi!"l ;or1s su!h "s th"t On God ;hi!h &"y h"ve &" e use of 3pseu o64 Pyth"gore"n "uthorities' In the follo;ing p"ges I sh"ll e8"&ine so&e of the ;"ys in ;hi!h Pro!lus " opte "n evelope I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing "ppro"!h to the highest levels of philosophy' In p"rti!ul"r I ;oul li1e to bring out the istin!tions Pro!lus &"1es bet;een the s!ien!e of the ivine proper "n the theologi!"l tr"nspositions of &"the&"ti!s, istin!tions ;hi!h ;ill ent"il " brief "!!ount of Pro!lus/ !on!eption of the s!ien!e of the ivine' *lthough insisting, I believe, even &ore th"n i I"&bli!hus on the subor in"tion of theologi!"l &"the&"ti!s to the s!ien!e of the ivine, Pro!lus betr"ys in !ert"in "re"s of his "!!ount of this s!ien!e the influen!e of I"&bli!he"n theologi!"l &"the&"ti!s, "s ;ill be sho;n to;"r s the en of the !h"pter'

1' #he 7le&ents of #heology2 * ,eo&etri!"l 5et"physi!s>

If the prologues of Pro!lus/ Commentary on uclid ;ere to be ;ell 1no;n "n highly v"lue by &"the&"ti!i"ns, histori"ns, "n philosophers of &"the&"ti!s, his lements of !heology ;"s to h"ve, in other !ir!les, no less gre"t " su!!ess' *lre" y in the 5i le *ges it ;"s tr"nsl"te into " nu&ber of l"ngu"ges, ,eorgi"n, *r"bi!, <ebre;, *r&eni"n, "n ="tin, %
%

)f' +o

s/s e n', 88i86888F Boese 3198.4'

"n the ="tin tr"nsl"tion of "n "bbrevi"te "n &o ifie *r"bi! version, the "e causis, be!"&e " b"si! te8tboo1 of &et"physi!s in 0estern 5e iev"l philosophy' #he lements of !heology re&"ins the first boo1 of Pro!lus to be re" by philosophers "n histori"ns of philosophy' #his su!!ess is ue in p"rt no oubt to the pe "gogi! Bu"lities of the ;or1, " 3rel"tive4 !l"rity "n si&pli!ity of e8position ;hi!h t"1es " for& th"t is "lso intelle!tu"lly "ppe"ling "n i&pressive2 the ;or1 !onsists of " series of propositions, e"!h proposition being "!!o&p"nie by one or &ore e&onstr"tions, the pre&ises !onstituting the e&onstr"tions so&eti&es eriving "s !on!lusions fro& e"rlier "rgu&ents, the ;hole "ppe"ring in this ;"y "s " syste&"ti! "n rigorous e u!tion of " series of "bstr"!t &et"physi!"l truths' #he i&pression of s!ientifi! rigour is reinfor!e by the 7u!li e"n !h"r"!ter of so&e of the "rgu&ents "n l"ngu"ge' &
&

)f' e'g' :, 30F the s!holiu& on .8, 11F =o;ry 319804, 39'

It is not then
en p'19:

;ithout re"son th"t Pro!lus/ ;or1 h"s been seen "s " &et"physi!"l syste& e&onstr"te more geometrico, in the &"nner of Spino?", the first su!h "tte&pt in the history of 0estern philosophy' '
'

)f' the referen!es given by <"th";"y 319824, 1236-'

But in ;h"t sense is the &et"physi!s of the lements of !heology geo&etri!"l> Is geo&etri!"l e&onstr"tive &etho "pplie to &et"physi!s in the ;"y th"t Pro!lus "pplies it to physi!s in the lements of Physics> If one !o&p"res the t;o ;or1s one soon noti!es so&e i&port"nt ifferen!es' Firstly, the lements of Physics, "s in i!"te in )h"pter 9, oes not e"l ;ith physi!s in gener"l, but is !on!erne ;ith &otion "n !h"nge "s pointing to the e8isten!e of "n i&&"teri"l prin!iple of &otion' %n the other h"n , the lements of !heology !overs the ;hole r"nge of the s!ien!e of the ivine 3/theology/4, going fro& the highest prin!iple of "ll re"lity, the %ne, o;n through the lo;er levels of the ivine to the lo;est, the level of soul' (
(

%n soul "s the lo;est level of the ivine, !f' !heol3 Plat' I 11-, 23611:, 3F Plotinus ( 1, 9, -969' +o s points out in his e n' of the l theol' 3f, 1894 th"t the ;or /theology/ in the title is to be un erstoo in its *ristoteli"n sense 3C &et"physi!s, first philosophy, s!ien!e of the ivine4, ;hi!h Pro!lus "n Syri"nus 3!f' "bove, pp' 120614 i entify ;ith the highest Pl"toni! s!ien!e, i"le!ti!'

Se!on ly, the lements of Physics is &u!h ne"rer to 7u!li in for& th"n is the lements of !heology, in th"t its e&onstr"tions "re pre!e e by efinitions, ;here"s the lements of !heology si&ply presents " su!!ession of propositions ;hi!h fun!tion "s the conclusions of the e&onstr"tions supporting the&' )
)

%n the f"!t th"t the l3 theol' is not si&ply " geo&etri!i?e &et"physi!s, !f' "lso =o;ry 319804, 39F <"th";"y 319824F =ohr 3198:4, .96:0'

#his l"st point is suffi!ient to sho; th"t the lements of !heology is not " geo&etri!i?e &et"physi!s in the ;"y th"t the lements of Physics is " geo&etri!i?e physi!sF Pro!lus oes not si&ply "pply 7u!li e"n e&onstr"tive &etho to &et"physi!"l o!trine' <o; then "!!ount for the un eni"ble geo&etri!"l "spe!ts of the lements of !heology> %ur stu y of the Commentary on uclid in )h"pter 8 h"s le to !on!lusions th"t "re relev"nt here' %ne of these !on!lusions ;"s th"t Pro!lus ten s to see geo&etry "s e8e&plifying p"rti!ul"rly ;ell s!ientifi! re"soning on the is!ursive level' <en!e geo&etri!"l &etho is "ssi&il"te by hi& to ;h"t ;e ;oul !"ll logi!"l rigour' In ;h"tever !onte8t this rigour is "pplie ;e ;ill fin in !onseBuen!e " ten en!y in Pro!lus to "llu e to geo&etri!"l pro!e ures "n ter&s' *lthough !losely "sso!i"ting geo&etri!"l ;ith s!ientifi! &etho , Pro!lus "lso insists, in his revision of I"&bli!hus in his Commentary on uclid, th"t geo&etry
en p'199

erives its &etho fro& " higher s!ien!e, Pl"toni! i"le!ti!2 the p"rts of this &etho 3 efinition, ivision, "n"lysis, "n e&onstr"tion4 "re "lre" y foun in i"le!ti!' In his theologi!"l ;or1s Pro!lus "lso brings out these four !onstituents of i"le!ti!"l &etho ' *

)f' !heol3 Plat' I -0, .613 3;ith S"ffrey "n 0esterin1/s notes4F In !im' I 29:, 1061-'

#his &etho !"n "ppe"r geo&etri!"l to the e8tent th"t it is the sour!e of "n is i&"ge in geo&etri!"l &etho ' If then the lements of !heology "ppe"rs in !ert"in respe!ts to be so&e;h"t geo&etri!"l "n in other respe!ts not, this &"y be be!"use the ;or1 is not " geo&etri!"l theology or &et"physi!s "t "ll, but so&ething Buite ifferent2 " tre"tise of theology or i"le!ti!, ;hose &etho is proper to it, ;hile re!"lling to so&e egree the eriv"tive but &ore f"&ili"r "n "!!essible pro!e ures of geo&etry' #o sho; &ore fully th"t the lements of !heology is "n e8"&ple of theology or i"le!ti! proper it ;ill be ne!ess"ry to e8"&ine ;h"t Pro!lus !on!eives theology or i"le!ti! to be' For this purpose ;e ;ill nee to refer to Pro!lus/ other theologi!"l ;or1s' For if the lements of !heology, "s "n intro u!tory &"nu"l, possesses " !ert"in !l"rity, it is by no &e"ns self6e8pl"n"tory' =i1e other &"nu"ls it istils "n or ers the results of " long "n !o&pli!"te evelop&ent of thought ;hose "ssu&ptions "n turning6points !"n is"ppe"r un er the surf"!e of i "!ti! e8position' #hese "ssu&ptions in Pro!lus/ ;"y of !on!eiving theology or i"le!ti! !"n be ete!te &ore e"sily in his t;o &"Gor theologi!"l ;or1s, his Commentary on the Parmenides "n his Platonic !heology'

2' #he S!ien!e of +i"le!ti!

#o;"r s the beginning of his Platonic !heology 3I 19, 18620, 2.4 Pro!lus presents four ifferent ;"ys of !o&&uni!"ting 1no;le ge of the ivine2 the inspire "ppro"!h e8e&plifie in Pl"to/s Phaedrus "n !h"r"!teristi! of the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/F the sy&boli! "ppro"!h to be foun in Pl"to/s &yths "n in %rpheusF the use of i&"ges, in p"rti!ul"r &"the&"ti!"l i&"ges, to e8press the ivine th"t is pr"!tise by Pyth"gor"s "n Pyth"gore"ns "s ;ell "s by Pl"toF "n fin"lly the one truly s!ientifi! "ppro"!h, ;hi!h is to be foun only in Pl"to, in i"le!ti!"l e8position of the ivine in the Sophist "n p"rti!ul"rly in the Parmenides2
en p'198

#he s!ientifi! is pe!uli"r to Pl"to/s philosophy' For he "lone, "s I believe, "&ong those 1no;n to us, un ertoo1 to istinguish "n or er "ppropri"tely the or ere progression of the ivine 1in s, the ifferen!es bet;een the&, the !o&&on !h"r"!teristi!s of "ll levels "n those proper to e"!h' 320, 1962.4 #his fourfol
.

ivision !"n be foun else;here in Pro!lus' .

)f' In Parm' :-:, 216:-9, 1: 3on the Pyth"gore"n use of &"the&"ti!"l i&"ges "s !ontr"ste ;ith i"le!ti! !f' "lso :23, 2963-F 92-, -694F !heol3 Plat' I 9, 2069F In 'emp' I 8-, 2:68., 1F In !im' I 129, 316130, 8'

It e8presses very !le"rly the ifferen!e bet;een &"the&"ti!"l i&"gings of the ivine "n the s!ien!e proper of the ivine' If this istin!tion is one th"t I"&bli!hus hi&self h" &" e in On Pythagoreanism (II, it t"1es " for& in

Pro!lus th"t represents, "s ;e h"ve seen in )h"pter 9, " ne; ep"rture2 Pro!lus fin s in Plato alone the s!ien!e of the ivine, properly spe"1ing' #he subor in"tion of theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s to theology or i"le!ti! thus be!o&es "lso " subor in"tion of Pyth"gore"nis& to the philosophy of Pl"to' *n this subor in"tion of Pyth"gore"nis& to Pl"to in turn &"1es &ore evi ent the li&it"tions of theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s "n the superiority "n istin!tiveness of Pl"toni! i"le!ti!' But ;h"t then is the s!ien!e of the ivine> Pro!lus, "s note "bove "n in !onne!tion ;ith the Commentary on uclid, reg"r s Pl"to/s Parmenides "s "n e8position of this s!ien!e "n evotes his very long Commentary on the Parmenides to sho;ing this' If his Commentary !"nnot be reg"r e "s " reli"ble gui e to re" ing Pl"to/s i"logue, it is " ri!h sour!e of infor&"tion !on!erning Pro!lus/ o;n !on!eption of Pl"toni! i"le!ti! "n is testi&ony of the lengths to ;hi!h he h" to go in or er to &"1e Pl"to/s te8t !orrespon to this !on!eption' It ;ill suffi!e then, in or er to s1et!h briefly Pro!lus/ vie;s on the s!ien!e of the ivine, to note so&e "spe!ts of his interpret"tion of the Parmenides' /
/

#he follo;ing oes not "tte&pt to give " !o&plete "!!ount of Pro!lus/ !on!ept of i"le!ti!F !f' Beier;"ltes 319994, 2-: ff'

In !onne!tion ;ith e8pl"ining the roles of So!r"tes "n of P"r&eni es in the Pl"toni! i"logue, Pro!lus es!ribes the i e"l "ttributes of the stu ent 3So!r"tes4 "n te"!her 3P"r&eni es4 of i"le!ti!' $0
$0

%n P"r&eni es "s te"!her 3/le" er/4 of So!r"tes, !f' Steel 319894'

#he stu ent &ust, "&ong other things, h"ve "n " eBu"te intelle!tu"l prep"r"tion, in p"rti!ul"r in logi!, physi!s, "n &"the&"ti!s, for these s!ien!es prep"re the &in for !onte&pl"tion of the ivine by &"1ing the ivine &ore "!!essible to it through i&"ges'
en p'199

#hus, in " p"ss"ge th"t !oul "lso !o&e fro& the Commentary on uclid, Pro!lus suggests th"t if he ;on ers ho; the &"ny !oul be in the %ne, "n "ll in the in ivisible, let hi& thin1 of the &on" "n ho; it is sho;n th"t "ll for&s of o "n even "re in it, the !ir!le "n sphere, "n the other for&s of nu&bers' $$
$$

In Parm' 92:, 1:629 "n ff'F !f' "bove, p' 1:1'

#he te"!her, ;ho le" s the stu ent of i"le!ti!, on the other h"n , ;ill not ;ish to reve"l the ivine truth ;ith &"ny ;or s, but to reve"l &"ny things ;ith fe;, spe"1ing in unison ;ith thought' Nor ;ill he st"rt fro& the f"&ili"r, but ;ill !onsi er &"tters fro& on high, fro& the &ost unifie prin!iples, sin!e he is re&ove fro& ;h"t is "t h"n , "n is ne"r to the ivine' 3929, 386928, 94

#o these "ttributes of the te"!her of i"le!ti! ;e shoul " th"t of s!ientifi! rigour, the stri!t syllogisti! e8position of the subGe!t th"t Pro!lus fin s in the Parmenides "n th"t he so&eti&es !on!eives "s /geo&etri!"l/ in !h"r"!ter, $%
$%

)f' In Parm' :-., 9629F 929, 8610F 1132, 206:F 11-0, 19622F 119., 2:630F 120:, 163'

th"t is, "s suggeste "bove, "s e8e&plifying s!ientifi! &etho ' Pl"to/s figure P"r&eni es e8hibits in the i"logue these "ttributes of the i e"l /gui e/ to i"le!ti!2 si&pli!ity, purity, s!ientifi! rigour, presenting the subGe!t by st"rting fro& /on high/, fro& /the &ost unifie prin!iples/, "n e&onstr"ting "ll else on the b"sis of su!h prin!iples' #hese prin!iples !orrespon to the hypotheses th"t P"r&eni es proposes to So!r"tes' #hey "re hypotheti!"l in t;o senses2 "s representing the beginnings of the "s!ent through hypotheses to "n /unhypotheti!"l/ first prin!iple th"t is es!ribe "s the first ph"se of i"le!ti! in Pl"to/s 'epu-licF $&
$&

)f' In Parm' :22, 216:23, 28F 1033, 206103-, 30 3;here Pro!lus s"ys he is follo;ing Syri"nus4F Beier;"ltes 319994, 2.369-'

"n "s !orrespon ing to ;h"t fun!tions "s hypotheses, th"t is /!o&&on notions/ or "8io&s, in geo&etry' $'
$'

)f' In Parm' 930, :69F 103-, 162F 1092, 1963-F 1099, 3961100, 10F Beier;"ltes 319994, 2:1 ff'

0e &"y s"y then th"t Gust "s geo&etri!"l e&onstr"tions proper h"ve "s st"rting6points !ert"in evi ent truths, so, on " higher level, o i"le!ti!"l e&onstr"tions st"rt fro& !ert"in fun "&ent"l &et"physi!"l truths su!h "s "re e8presse in the hypotheses of the Parmenides' *n in ee Gust "s the first prin!iples of geo&etry "re " priori !on!epts given in psy!hi! n"ture ;hi!h the geo&eter /proGe!ts/
en p'200

or /unrolls/ in his e&onstr"tions, so the i"le!ti!i"n t"1es his beginning fro& !ert"in pri&"ry " priori &et"physi!"l !on!epts ;hi!h he then "rti!ul"tes in his e&onstr"tions' $(
$(

)f' 11.1, 38611.2, .F the first hypothesis of the Parmenides is es!ribe "s " U ]TQ in !heol3 Plat' II ::, 168 3Buote belo;4'

#he i e" th"t there "re !ert"in &et"physi!"l !on!epts given in psy!hi! n"ture "n tr"ns!en ing &"the&"ti!"l !on!epts !"n be foun "lre" y in Syri"nus' $)
$)

)f' %/5e"r" 3198:4, 12'

In Pro!lusEif only be!"use of the l"rge "&ount of his ;or1 th"t survivesEthe &e"ning "n i&port"n!e of this i e" "re !le"rer' In p"rti!ul"r Pro!lus "sso!i"tes 3i4 the 3Stoi!4 notion th"t there "re !ert"in truths univers"lly hel by &"n1in , su!h "s the e8isten!e "n provi en!e of the ivine, ;ith 3ii4 the 3*ristoteli"n4 notion th"t !ert"in prin!iples "re 1no;n, not by e&onstr"tion, but by " sort of intelle!tu"l insight 3Uc[ R4, "n ;ith 3iii4 the geo&etri!"l !on!ept of !ert"in truths "s evi ent, "8io&s' $*
$*

)f' the ;e"lth of referen!es !olle!te by S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in their note in !heol3 Plat' I 1.96:1F #rouill"r 319924, .16:9'

*sso!i"ting these notions, Pro!lus thus fin s "t the highest level of hu&"n refle!tion " nu&ber of !on!epts, of &et"physi!"l !ontent, intuitively 1no;n "s given in the n"ture of soul, "n fun!tioning "s the st"rting6points of the e&onstr"tions of the i"le!ti!i"n' $.
$.

)f' In Parm' 980, 86982, 30F 112., 13622'

In e&onstr"ting fun "&ent"l &et"physi!"l insights the i"le!ti!i"n oes not "tte&pt to prove the&' $"ther he /unfol s/ or e8pli!"tes the&, sho;ing ;h"t they presuppose "n ;h"t they ent"il' #his pro!e ure !orrespon s in f"!t to the stru!ture of syllogisti! "rgu&ent, ;hereby the !on!lusion sho;s ;h"t is i&plie by the pre&ises' In the tre"t&ent of his first hypothesis the i"le!ti!i"n begins ;ith " truth th"t is not, "!!or ing to ;h"t Pl"to suggests in the 'epu-lic, the very first &et"physi!"l truth ;hi!h "ll other &et"physi!"l truths presuppose' $/
$/

)f' the referen!es given in n' 13 "bove'

#he i"le!ti!i"n &ust therefore ;or1 b"!1 fro& his st"rting6point to su!h "n ulti&"te truth "n then, "g"in follo;ing the pro!e ure pres!ribe by the 'epu-lic, ;or1 o;n fro& this truth, sho;ing ho; "ll other truths erive fro& the first' In oing this the i"le!ti!i"n unfol s " series of !on!epts th"t !orrespon s to "n spe"1s of the unfol ing of the stru!ture of re"lity fro& its ulti&"te sour!e in the %ne' %0
%0

)f' !heol3 Plat' III 82, 23683, 2F the te8t Buote belo;, p' 202F In Parm' 1032, 1.629'
en p'201

#he very first &et"physi!"l truth fro& ;hi!h the i"le!ti!i"n erives his s!ien!e of the ivine is, in Pro!lus/ opinion, the first hypothesis of the Parmenides2 0h"t then is the very first !on!ept 3U ]TQ4 of the s!ien!e pro!ee ing fro& intelle!t "n reve"ling herself> 0h"t other sh"ll ;e &ention but the si&plest "n &ost 1no;"ble of "ll her !on!epts> For this !on!ept is &ost "1in to the !onte&pl"tion of intelle!t' 0h"t is it then> P"r&eni es s"ys 3139 !42 /#he %ne, if it is one, &"y not be &"ny'/ For the &"ny &ust p"rti!ip"te in the %ne' But the %ne oes not p"rti!ip"te in the %ne but is the %ne itself' %$
%$

!heol3 Plat' II ::, 169'

Fro& this truth P"r&eni es e&onstr"tes, "!!or ing to Pro!lus, the eriv"tion, in or er "n "!!or ing to stri!t syllogisti! pro!e ure, of subseBuent &et"physi!"l truths, e8pressing thereby in s!ientifi! for& the eriv"tion of "ll levels of the ivine fro& "n ulti&"te prin!iple' Pro!lus su&&"ri?es the pro!e ure thus2 For the first !on!lusions "re &" e evi ent i&&e i"tely fro& the s&"llest nu&ber "n the &ost si&ple "n &ost 1no;"ble , !o&&on !on!epts so6to6spe"1F "n the !on!lusions subseBuent to these through &ore nu&erous "n !o&ple8 F "n the l"st "re the &ost !o&posite' For P"r&eni es "l;"ys uses the first !on!lusions for e&onstr"tions of the subseBuent "n offers, "s "n intelle!tu"l p"r" ig& of the or er in geo&etry "n in the other &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!es, this !h"in of !on!lusions fitte to e"!h other' If then is!ourse brings "n i&"ge of the things it interprets 3!im' 29 b4, "n "s "re the e&onstr"tive unfol ings so &ust ;h"t "re e&onstr"te be in or er, it is ne!ess"ry, I believe, th"t the first !on!lusions e&onstr"te fro& the si&plest pre&ises &ust be "bsolutely

pri&"ry "n Goine !losely to the %ne, those th"t "re &ultiplie !ontinuously "n epen on !o&ple8 e&onstr"tions being pro u!ts "t " gre"ter ist"n!e, in /"lien"tion/, one &ight s"y, /fro& the %ne/' %%
%%

!heol3 Plat' I -., 206-:, 9F S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 in i!"te th"t "t the en Pro!lus is Buoting Plotinus, (I :, 1'

I h"ve suggeste else;here 3198:4 th"t Pro!lus/ !on!eption of i"le!ti! represents " theory of &et"physi!s ;hose origin"lity "n !oheren!e h"s hitherto been s!"r!ely noti!e , " result no oubt of the f"!t th"t it reg"r s itself "s no &ore th"n "n e8egesis, "n "n i&prob"ble one "t th"t, of Pl"to' In vie; of the l"!1 of evi en!e !on!erning Syri"nus it is iffi!ult to eter&ine the e8tent of Pro!lus/ ebt here to Syri"nus, "lthough ;e &"y suppose th"t " !ert"in "&ount erives
en p'202

fro& Syri"nus' %&

%&

)f' "bove nn' 13, 1:'

7ven less is 1no;n of ho; I"&bli!hus !on!eive i"le!ti! or the s!ien!e of the ivine' But one !"n re"son"bly suppose th"t I"&bli!hus i not, "s oes Pro!lus, is!ount the s!ientifi! !l"i&s of Pyth"gore"n theory, reserving for Pl"to "lone the title of true i"le!ti!i"n' #his prob"bly &e"ns th"t Pro!lus i not fin in I"&bli!hus/ "!!ounts of Pyth"gore"n theology "n "ppro"!h !orrespon ing to his !on!eption of i"le!ti!' In other ;or s there is so&e li1elihoo th"t in !l"rifying "n syste&"ti?ing the istin!tion bet;een theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s "n theology or i"le!ti! proper, Pro!lus !"&e to !on!eive of the l"tter s!ien!e in " ;"y th"t no longer !orrespon e to I"&bli!hus/ tre"t&ent of the subGe!t' Be th"t "s it &"y, it &ight be note th"t in his "tte&pt to for&ul"te the n"ture of i"le!ti! "s " s!ien!e in epen ent of, superior to, "n p"r" ig&"ti! for &"the&"ti!s, Pro!lus is l"rgely gui e by his un erst"n ing of the stru!ture of &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e, in p"rti!ul"r geo&etry' #hus i"le!ti!, li1e geo&etry, /proGe!ts/ or /unfol s/ inn"te " priori !on!epts, e&onstr"ting the& by &e"ns of rigorous syllogisti! "rgu&ents' #he !on!epts "re of !ourse of " higher or er, ne"rer the intelligible prin!iples of soul "n of " bro" er "ppli!"tion th"n the !on!epts e8pli!"te by the geo&eter' But it re&"ins th"t &"the&"ti!s, "n in p"rti!ul"r geo&etry, provi es Pro!lus ;ith the &o el 3he ;oul s"y the i&"ge4 of s!ientifi! is!ourse ;hereby the istin!tiveness "n superiority of i"le!ti! *is9:9 *is other s!ien!es !"n be eter&ine ' #he s"&e pheno&enon ;ill be observe in the follo;ing se!tion ;ith respe!t, not to for&, but to the !ontent of i"le!ti!' In gener"l one &ight s"y th"t in i&posing li&its on I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing of Pl"toni! philosophy, in subor in"ting Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!s "n theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s to Pl"toni! i"le!ti!, Pro!lus " opte for this " prin!iple, n"&ely the i&"ge6st"tus of &"the&"ti!s th"t he foun in I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e itself'

0e &"y !on!lu e fin"lly th"t Pro!lus/ es!ription of Pl"toni! i"le!ti! in his Commentary on the Parmenides "n in his Platonic !heology !orrespon s in &"ny respe!ts to the stru!ture of the lements of !heology' #he !h"in of syllogis&s es!ribe in the p"ss"ge Buote i&&e i"tely "bove is " istin!tive fe"ture of the lements of !heology' #he propositions th"t pre!e e "n "re supporte by the syllogis&s !"n be reg"r e "s the &et"physi!"l !on!epts ;hi!h the i"le!ti!i"n
en p'203

see1s to unfol ' In ee the fourth proposition, /*ll th"t is unifie is other th"n the %ne itself/, turns out to be ;h"t Pro!lus !onsi ers "s the very first &et"physi!"l !on!ept, the first hypothesis of the Parmenides 3/#he %ne, if it is one, &"y not be &"ny/4 if, "pplying the first proposition, ;e es!ribe "ll &ultitu e "s unifie ' #he first three propositions "n their e&onstr"tions prep"re the ;"y "n le" up to the first &et"physi!"l truth, "fter ;hi!h Pro!lus pro!ee s to unfol truths !on!erning ivine !"uses in gener"l "n !on!erning e"!h level of the ivine tre"te in p"rti!ul"r "n in es!en ing or er' #hus the lements of !heology sho;s the &otion up;"r s "n o;n;"r s th"t Pl"to "ttributes to i"le!ti! in the 'epu-lic' <o;ever it is espe!i"lly in the Parmenides th"t Pro!lus fin s i"le!ti!"l e8position, "n the !orrespon en!e bet;een the fourth proposition of the lements of !heology "n the first hypothesis of the Parmenides suggests th"t the &"Gor sour!e of inspir"tion of Pro!lus/ ;or1 is the Parmenides, "s he interprete th"t i"logue' %'
%'

+o s in i!"tes in his e ition 3e'g', 188, 189, 1904 !onne!tions ;ith the ParmenidesF su!h p"r"llels !oul be &ultiplie '

#hus "nother stri1ing origin"lity of the lements of !heology, besi es its rigorous syllogisti! for&En"&ely the f"!t th"t, !ontr"ry to Pro!lus/ nor&"l pr"!ti!e, no "uthorities "re !ite E!"n be !l"rifie , if the ;or1 is seen "s "n e8posA of i"le!ti!2 "n "uthority is in f"!t present in the ;or1, n"&ely Pl"to, for the ;or1 unfol s the s!ien!e of the ivine th"t Pl"to "lone !o&&uni!"te to &"n1in '

3' 5"the&"ti!"l #heology "n +i"le!ti!

In the pre!e ing se!tion I h"ve "tte&pte to in i!"te ho; Pro!lus, e&ph"si?ing " point "lre" y &" e by I"&bli!hus, re; " !le"r istin!tion bet;een theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s "n theology or i"le!ti! proper, "n ho;, in or er to bring out the istin!tiveness "n superiority of the l"tter s!ien!e, he g"ve it " for& erive fro& his o;n un erst"n ing of the stru!ture of geo&etry' In this se!tion I sh"ll suggest th"t " si&il"r situ"tion "rises ;ith reg"r to the content of theology2 in his "!!ount of this !ontent, i'e' the ivine, Pro!lus see1s to pro!ee in epen ently of theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s, but this "!!ount !"n nevertheless be seen to be inspire to " !onsi er"ble egree by theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s' * first e8"&ple of this &"y be foun in the present"tion of the go s th"t Pro!lus !"lls /hen" s/ in the lements of !heology' <"ving e"lt

en p'20-

;ith the supre&e prin!iple, the %ne, "n its rel"tions to its pro u!ts in the first p"rt of the lements of !heology, Pro!lus turns in propositions 1136:. to the go s th"t "re subor in"te to the %ne "n th"t tr"ns!en the level of intelligible being, the hen" s' I"&bli!hus h" "lso tre"te of "n or er of go s !orrespon ing to these hen" s in On Pythagoreanism (II, %(
%(

S"ffrey "n 0esterin1 "rgue, in !heol3 Plat3 III i86l88vii, "g"inst there h"ving been " theory of hen" s in I"&bli!hus, on the b"sis of " stu y of l"ter reports in Pro!lus "n +"&"s!ius "n -efore the first9hand e*idence pro*ided -y Psellus' e&cerpts could -e considered '

"n ;h"t re&"ins of this tre"t&ent in Psellus/ e8!erpts sho;s so&e si&il"rities ;ith Pro!lus/ "ppro"!h' In both I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus this or er of go s is !onsi ere "s unifie both in itself "n in e"!h of its &e&bers' %)
%)

Pro!lus, l3 theol3 props' 11361-F !f' "bove, p'8-'

Both tre"t first of the gener"l properties of the or er "s " ;hole before is!ussing spe!ifi! properties' For both e"!h go is istin!t, for&s p"rt of " seri"l or ering, "n is refle!te in its effe!ts in !orrespon ing fe"tures foun on the su!!essive lo;er levels of re"lity' %*
%*

Pro!lus, props' 133, 13.F 12:, 13:F 129, 131, 1-.F !f' "bove, pp' 836-'

Iet one noti!es "lso in Pro!lus/ "!!ount of the hen" s "spe!ts th"t ifferenti"te it fro& the theologi?ing "rith&eti! of On Pythagoreanism (II' It "ppe"rs first th"t in referring to the hen" s "s / ivine nu&ber/ Pro!lus gives to the ter& /nu&ber/ " bro" , non6&"the&"ti!"l sense, i'e' th"t of group or !l"ss' %.
%.

+o s/s tr"nsl"tion of N^T e 3" possible e8!eption &"y be 10-, 96104F 5erl"n "rgues "g"inst this 319:.4, I believe un!onvin!ingly'

Further&ore, in is!ussing the spe!ifi! properties of the hen" s, Pro!lus oes not t"1e in turn e"!h of the istin!t &e&bers of the or er "s oes I"&bli!hus ;hen he e"ls ;ith the &on" , y" , tri" of the or er' $"ther e"!h property is presente ;ithout referen!e to p"rti!ul"r hen" s' Fin"lly the properties th"t "re n"&e by Pro!lusEthe /p"tern"l/, the /gener"tive/, the /perfe!tive/, the /prote!tive/, et!' 3props' 1.1 ff'4E"re not espe!i"lly &"the&"ti!"l in !h"r"!ter' It is true th"t their "n"logues !"n be foun in &"the&"ti!"l obGe!ts2 Pro!lus else;here rel"tes the /p"tern"l/ to the &on" "n the /gener"tive/ to the y" , %/
%/

)f' !heol3 Plat3 I 122, 3610'

;here"s the tri" is tr" ition"lly reg"r e "s perfe!tive' But it is surely signifi!"nt th"t Pro!lus, in intro u!ing these ifferent properties of the hen" s, oes not "ttribute the& to p"rti!ul"r &e&bers of " nu&eri!"l series, "s oes I"&bli!hus' It is "s if Pro!lus ;ishes to "voi "n i entifi!"tion of e"!h of the hen" s ;ith e"!h nu&ber in " e!" i! series' &0
&0

5erl"n 319:.4, 19.6:, "rgues th"t Pro!lus thought of the hen" s "s !onstituting " e!" , but the evi en!e is not th"t !le"r'

In this ;e &"y reg"r Pro!lus

en p'20.

"s "pplying ;ith rigour the istin!tion he fin s bet;een theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s "n theology proper' In !onseBuen!e ho;ever Pro!lus/ tre"t&ent of the hen" s in the lements is so&e;h"t gener"l "n v"gue' If the hen" s "re not to be seen si&ply "s the &on" , y" , tri" of " e!" , it is not !le"r ;h"t in ivi u"lly they "re suppose to be' If Pro!lus/ "!!ount of the hen" s in the lements of !heology see1s to est"blish itself in epen ently of the "!!ount of the s"&e &"tter yiel e by theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s, it &ust be " &itte , ho;ever, th"t the sour!e of inspir"tion of &u!h of ;h"t Pro!lus s"ys of the hen" s is &"the&"ti!s "n theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s' I h"ve in i!"te "bove the bro" si&il"rities of tre"t&ent bet;een the se!tion on hen" s in the lements "n On Pythagoreanism (II' #o these one &ight " Pro!lus/ freBuent re!ourse to &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples "n l";s' For e8"&ple the l"; of &e"n ter&s serves to lin1 not only the &e&bers of the or er of hen" s but "lso "l&ost everything else in Pro!lus/ theologi!"l universe' &$
&$

Prop' 132F !f' prop' 1-8F +o

s, in his e n', 88ii'

#he prin!iples of /li&it/ "n the /unli&ite /, prin!iples th"t o!!ur in Pl"to/s Phile-us "n th"t Syri"nus "n Pro!lus i entify ;ith the Pyth"gore"n &on" "n y" , &%
&%

)f' "bove, p' 1-:F Shepp"r 319824F Beier;"ltes 319924, 199 ff'

"re responsible for the !onstitution of the or er of hen" s' In ee the !on!ept of the &on" "n its rel"tion to the series it gener"tes is of gre"t i&port"n!e to the or ering of re"lity "s Pro!lus !on!eives it in the lements' &&
&&

)f' e'g' props' 2162 3;ith +o

s/s !o&&ent, 2084, 20- 3198, 286314'

%ne &ight re"son"bly s"y then th"t espite his effort to sep"r"te 3Pl"toni!4 i"le!ti! or theology fro& 3Pyth"gore"n4 theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s, Pro!lus in effe!t pro u!es " theologi!"l "!!ount th"t !"nnot but stri1e us, in !ert"in respe!ts, "s he"vily in ebte to &"the&"ti!s' #he s"&e !"n be observe , I believe, in Pro!lus/ other theologi!"l ;or1s, his Commentary on the Parmenides "n his Platonic !heology' In the Commentary on the Parmenides, for e8"&ple, Pro!lus tre"ts of the hen" s in the s"&e very gener"l ;"y th"t !h"r"!teri?es the "!!ount in the lements of !heology2 the hen" s "re es!ribe !olle!tively in ter&s of " nu&ber of &et"physi!"l properties' &'
&'

)f' In Parm3 10-8, 1-610-9, 3'

In his interpret"tion of the Parmenides Pro!lus in i!"tes th"t &"the&"ti!"l ter&s o!!urring in Pl"to/s 3theologi!"l4 te8t "re to be un erstoo , not in " &"the&"ti!"l, but in " higher sense' &(
&(

In Parm3 1129, 226:F 120-, 196-1'

*n ;hen he "n"lyses the or ers of the go s in ter&s of the rel"tions bet;een &on" "n y" , he notes th"t he is
en p'20:

using " &"the&"ti!"l i&"ge' &)

&)

In Parm3 ::2, -612'

*n yet the use of &"the&"ti!"l rel"tionships to es!ribe &et"6&"the&"ti!"l re"lities is su!h th"t it is not !le"r so&eti&es ho; su!h re"lities !oul other;ise be presente ' &*
&*

)f' e'g' In Parm3 903, 12690-, 10F 90:, 29633'

In the Platonic !heology Pro!lus "lso tre"ts of the go s in " f"shion th"t is in p"rt inspire by &"the&"ti!s ;hile "t the s"&e ti&e sep"r"ting itself fro& theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s' %n the subGe!t of the hen" s he !l"i&s th"t2 #here &ust be "n or er "&ong the hen" s su!h "s ;e see "&ong nu&bers, so&e being ne"rer the prin!iple, others being further ";"y, so&e being si&pler, others &ore !o&posite, gre"ter in Bu"ntity, but lesser in po;er' *n ;e h"ve rightly re!"lle the nu&bers' For if ;e &ust !onte&pl"te the or er of the very first &on" s "&ong the&selves "n the pro u!tion of beings, using nu&bers "s i&"ges, it is ne!ess"ry th"t in these &on" s those th"t "re ne"rer the %ne be sh"re in by those th"t "re si&pler in being, those th"t "re further being sh"re in by those th"t "re &ore !o&posite' 3III 19, 18618, 34 If e&ph"sis is pl"!e here on the fun!tion of nu&bers "s i&"ges of higher re"lities, in other !onte8ts it loo1s "s if &"the&"ti!"l prin!iples are ;h"t governs the or ers of the go s2 the &on" "n its rel"tion to " nu&ber series, the interpl"y bet;een &on" "n y" in the pro u!tion of the e!" "re the stru!tur"l prin!iples th"t !onstitute Pro!lus/ ;orl of go s' &.
&.

)f' e'g' !heol3 Plat3 II 38, 368F 91, .68F III 8, 169, 11F 30, 1963-, 19'

%f !ourse Pro!lus &" e use of other sour!es in his theology su!h "s the gener"l &et"physi!"l truths he foun st"te in the hypotheses of Pl"to/s Parmenides "s ;ell "s in the utter"n!es of the /)h"l "e"n %r"!les/' <o;ever, ;e &ight pl"usibly !l"i&, given the e8"&ples !ite , th"t his /Pl"toni!/ theology, "lthough "sserting its in epen en!e of "n superiority to /Pyth"gore"n/ theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s, is still &"r1e by this theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s' #he so&e;h"t "&biv"lent !h"r"!ter of his theologyEboth &"the&"ti!"l "n not &"the&"ti!"l in for& "n !ontentEis testi&ony to its origins "s, in p"rt "t le"st, " !riti!"l re"!tion to the theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e'
en p'209

-' )on!lu ing )o&&ent

In the first !h"pters evote to Pro!lus "bove I h"ve suggeste th"t Pro!lus, f"r fro& si&ply " opting I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e, !h"nge th"t progr"&&e in v"rious signifi!"nt ;"ys' <e "ltere the rel"tions bet;een the figures of Pyth"gor"s "n Pl"to in su!h " ;"y th"t Pl"to "n his i"logues too1 over the pre6e&inen!e given by I"&bli!hus to Pyth"gor"s "n Pyth"gore"n ;or1s' For Pro!lus Pl"to ;"s the first s!ientifi! philosopher "n it is only in Pl"to/s ;ritings th"t the s!ientifi! e8position of truth is to be foun ' #his shift in

fo!us is "!!o&p"nie by " shift in the "ttitu e t"1en to &"the&"ti!s in its rel"tions to the other p"rts of philosophy' 0hile "!1no;le ging the &e i"tory "n pivot"l role of &"the&"ti!s, Pro!lus insiste on the li&it"tions of &"the&"ti!s, in p"rti!ul"r "s reg"r s " istin!t "n higher s!ien!e, Pl"toni! i"le!ti!' In re u!ing Pyth"gore"n theology to the st"tus of theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s "n in !l"i&ing to fin in Pl"to "lone the s!ien!e of the ivine, Pro!lus ;"s "ble to istinguish &u!h &ore !le"rly th"n !oul I"&bli!hus bet;een these t;o "ppro"!hes to the ivine' In presenting the l"tter point in this !h"pter I h"ve not trie to survey the full bre" th of Pro!lus/ &et"physi!s' I h"ve sought r"ther to give so&e in i!"tions of ho; Pro!lus "tte&pte to sep"r"te Pyth"gore"ni?ing theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s fro& Pl"toni! i"le!ti!' For this purpose Pro!lus h" to el"bor"te "n interpret"tion of ;h"t pre!isely Pl"toni! i"le!ti! is2 Pl"to hi&self gives only so&e obs!ure hints, in p"rti!ul"r in the 'epu-lic' 7l"bor"ting "n "ppro"!h inspire , it "ppe"rs, in so&e respe!ts by his te"!her Syri"nus, Pro!lus !on!eive of i"le!ti! very &u!h "fter the p"ttern of the stru!ture of geo&etry "s he un erstoo it2 i"le!ti! is " e&onstr"tive s!ien!e, e8pli!"ting !ert"in " priori &et"physi!"l truths given in the soul' #hese truths "re &ore profoun "n gener"l th"n geo&etri!"l "8io&s, !on!erning "s they o the first prin!iples of "ll re"lity, the go s' #his !h"r"!teri?"tion of i"le!ti!, if effe!tive in per&itting of " sh"rp is!ri&in"tion bet;een the s!ien!e of the ivine "n theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s, is nevertheless b"se on "n "ssi&il"tion of &"the&"ti!"l &etho to s!ientifi! &etho in gener"l' *n "lthough in his theology Pro!lus "tte&pts to es!ribe the go s in epen ently of &"the&"ti!"l "ssi&il"tions, he often intro u!es ;h"t "re in effe!t &"the&"ti!"l !on!epts "n l";s' #heology thus est"blishes itself in Pro!lus in l"rge p"rt in
en p'208

rel"tion to &"the&"ti!s "n theologi?ing &"the&"ti!s' #he lements of !heology &"y be reg"r e "s " ;orthy e8pression of the origin"lity "n vigour Pro!lus brought to be"r on the effort to go beyon the Pyth"gore"ni?ing theology of I"&bli!hus in the ire!tion of the for&ul"tion of " truly Pl"toni! &et"physi!s' *n it is pre!isely this I"&bli!he"n b"!1groun th"t provi es " &e"ns of gr"sping "n &e"suring the e8tent of Pro!lus/ "!hieve&ent'
en p'209

)on!lusion
sho; !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s hi e !h"pter "bstr"!t "n 1ey;or s

Dominic J. O'Meara

#he the&es e8"&ine in this boo1, in their integr"tion into Neopl"toni! philosophy by I"&bli!hus "n in their " option "n revision by Syri"nus "n Pro!lus, !ontinue to h"ve !onsi er"ble influen!e on subseBuent thin1ers' Pro!lus/ su!!essor "t *thens, 5"rinus, "ppe"rs to h"ve been " better &"the&"ti!i"n th"n philosopher' *t "ny r"te he sh"re the high reg"r for &"the&"ti!s th"t h"s been foun "lre" y in I"&bli!hus, for ;e "re tol 2 So&e ;on er ;hy, if ;e le"rn 3TQU^ UVT U4 everything, the i&&"teri"l, the &"teri"l, "n ;h"t is bet;een the&, not "ll "re !"lle &"the&"ti!s 3TQ^ TQPQ4, but only the inter&e i"te ' ' ' "n ;e s"y there "re t;o re"sons for this, one th"t &"the&"ti!s possesses the soli ity of e&onstr"tion, for ;e le"rn it "!!ur"tely, but ;e !onGe!ture r"ther th"n le"rn the others, for ;hi!h re"son the philosopher 5"rinus s"i /0oul th"t "ll ;ere &"the&"ti!sS/ $
$

7li"s, In Porph3 Is' 28, 2-69'

#he pl"!e "n fun!tion of Pyth"gor"s in the history of philosophy "n the role of &"the&"ti!s in philosophy ;oul thus &erit investig"tion in their evelop&ent in the thought of 5"rinus "n in his su!!essors' It see&s, for e8"&ple, th"t +"&"s!ius, l"ter he" of the s!hool, !l"i&e to &"1e " return, in opposition to Pro!lus, to I"&bli!he"n philosophy' %
%

)f' 0esterin1 319914'

#he fortune of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e !oul "lso be e8"&ine in reg"r to the *le8"n ri"n s!hool' %ne &ight note here, for e8"&ple, th"t Pro!lus/ pupil *&&onius, in his &ore f"vour"ble "ttitu e to *ristotle, too1 &ore seriously the *ristoteli"n i e" of nu&bers "s "bstr"!tions "n "tte&pte to !o&bine this ;ith the i e" of nu&bers "s proGe!tions of higher " priori !on!epts' 0orth !onsi ering "lso ;oul be the i&p"!t I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;oul h"ve, in the for& given it in the *theni"n "n *le8"n ri"n s!hools, on l"ter perio s' %ne &ight &ention "s "n e8"&ple Boethius/ short theologi!"l ;or1 1no;n "s the "e he-domadi-us ;hi!h ;oul provi e, in its geo&etri!"l for&, "
en p'210

&o el for s!ientifi! is!ourse to 0estern 5e iev"l theologi"ns' &

&

)f' S!hri&pf 319::4, 7v"ns 319804, =ohr 3198:4'

="ter the ="tin tr"nsl"tion of Pro!lus/ lements of !heology ;oul be!o&e " p"r" ig& of &et"physi!s for Bertol of 5oosburgF the short "ltere *r"bi! version of the lements in ="tin, the "e causis, h" "lre" y serve "n ;oul !ontinue to serve "s the b"si! te8tboo1, "long ;ith *ristotle/s Metaphysics, for 5e iev"l &et"physi!s' 0hen Pro!lus/ Commentary on the Parmenides be!"&e "v"il"ble in ="tin to Ni!hol"s of )us", he ;oul use it e8tensively in the evelop&ent of his profoun theories of the philosophi!"l i&port"n!e of &"the&"ti!s ;ith reg"r , in p"rti!ul"r, to the ivine' '
'

)f', for e8"&ple, I&b"!h 319984, S!hult?e 319984, Beier;"ltes 3199.4, 3:868-'

%ne &ight &ention further&ore the gre"t interest t"1en by &"the&"ti!i"ns in the $en"iss"n!e in I"&bli!hus/ philosophy of &"the&"ti!s "s refor&ul"te in Pro!lus/ prologues to 7u!li , "n interest e8presse in the i e" of " mathesis uni*ersalis th"t !"n be tr"!e up to +es!"rtes "n beyon ' (
(

)f' )r"pulli 319:94, "n Dlein 319:84, ;ho is!usses Pro!lus/ ;or1 on 7u!li in !onne!tion ;ith +es!"rtes'

It is not the purpose of this boo1, ho;ever, to e8"&ine the l"ter history of Neopl"toni! Pyth"gore"nis&, "s " thesis "bout the origins "n history of ;is o& "n " theory "bout the rel"tions bet;een &"the&"ti!s "n the philosophi!"l s!ien!es' )
)

("lu"ble &"teri"ls !on!erning this "re !olle!te in 5"hn1e 319394'

I h"ve been !on!erne r"ther ;ith its beginnings in I"&bli!hus/ philosophy "n its re!eption by the first &"Gor philosophers of the *theni"n s!hool, ;ith the "i& of thro;ing so&e light on this obs!ure but i&port"nt ph"se in the history of l"te ,ree1 philosophy' #he results &ight be su&&"ri?e "s follo;s' * ten en!y to Pyth"gore"ni?e is !o&&on in the history of Pl"tonis& "n is represente in ifferent for&s "n to ifferent egrees "&ong I"&bli!hus/ i&&e i"te philosophi!"l pre e!essors, Nu&enius, Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s", *n"tolius, "n Porphyry' <o;ever, I"&bli!hus/ progr"&&e to Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy ;"s &ore syste&"ti! "n f"r6re"!hing' #his proGe!t is e8presse in " nu&ber of I"&bli!hus/ !o&&ent"ries on Pl"to "n *ristotle "n is the subGe!t of " ten6volu&e ;or1 by I"&bli!hus, On Pythagoreanism' In this ;or1, in so f"r "s it !"n be "n"lyse on the b"sis of the e8t"nt 3first four4 boo1s "n of Psellus/ e8!erpts fro& Boo1s (6(II, v"rious &"teri"lsEte8ts fro& Pl"to, *ristotle, 3pseu o64Pyth"gore"n liter"tureE;ere "sse&ble so "s to initi"te the re" er, step6by6step, to /Pyth"gore"n/ philosophy' *t first the re" er is presente ;ith "
en p'211

portr"it of Pyth"gor"s th"t e8presses I"&bli!hus/ interpret"tion of hi& "s "n un!orrupte soul sent o;n to !o&&uni!"te ;is o& to souls th"t h"ve f"llen ";"y fro& insight' #his interpret"tion of Pyth"gor"s refle!ts I"&bli!hus/ Neopl"toni! theory of the v"rious rel"tions of soul to, "n fun!tions in, the &"teri"l ;orl ' Pyth"gor"s/ revel"tion st"n s, in I"&bli!hus/ vie;, for "ll th"t is true in the history of ,ree1 philosophy2 Pl"to "n l"ter true Pl"tonists "re Pyth"gore"ns, "s is *ristotle, to the e8tent th"t he re&"ins f"ithful to Pyth"gore"nis&`Pl"tonis&' Pyth"gore"n philosophy, for I"&bli!hus, is istinguishe espe!i"lly by its !on!ern ;ith i&&"teri"l re"lities, obGe!ts ;hi!h give it its s!ientifi!, i'e' e&onstr"tive, !h"r"!ter' %ne br"n!h of this philosophy !onsists in &"the&"ti!s, ;hi!h h"s the spe!i"l !h"r"!ter of "!ting "s " &e i"ting 1no;le ge, "s I"&bli!hus sho;s in the !"se of "rith&eti!2 "rith&eti! not only fun!tions "s " s!ientifi! p"r" ig& for inBuiries th"t "re s!"r!ely s!ientifi!, !on!erne "s they "re ;ith &"teri"l re"lity, physi!s, ethi!s, politi!s, poeti!s, but "lso prep"res the &in "n "nti!ip"tes the intuitive truths of the highest level of Pyth"gore"n philosophy, the s!ien!e of the ivine, theology' #his highest level of Pyth"gore"nis& ;"s tre"te , not in On Pythagoreanism, but in " seBuel no longer e8t"nt, On God' In eveloping the p"r" ig&"ti! fun!tion of "rith&eti! in

physi!s "n ethi!s, I"&bli!hus " opte &u!h of *ristotle/s ;or1 on these subGe!ts, &o ifying "n el"bor"ting it so th"t it ;oul refle!t better ;h"t I"&bli!hus reg"r e "s its essenti"lly Pyth"gore"n inspir"tion' 3In his Commentary on the Categories, I"&bli!hus "lso " opte "n Pyth"gore"ni?e *ristoteli"n logi!'4 *s for the rel"tions bet;een "rith&eti! "n the s!ien!e of the ivine, I"&bli!hus istinguishe bet;een Pyth"gore"n use of &"the&"ti!s to i&"ge the ivine "n " higher "ppro"!h to the ivine' =ittle is 1no;n, ho;ever, of this higher "ppro"!h in I"&bli!husF &"the&"ti!"l i&"ging see&s to h"ve t"1en the for& of &"t!hing the nu&bers of the e!" "n their properties to the ivine "t its highest levels "n "t lo;er levels in " hier"r!hy of re"lity of !onsi er"ble !o&ple8ity' #he e8tent of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e !"n be seen in the f"!t th"t he est"blishe " !"non of Pl"toni! i"logues "n "n e8egeti!"l "ppro"!h th"t "re refle!tions of this progr"&&e' In Pyth"gore"ni?ing Neopl"toni! philosophy I"&bli!hus in effe!t evelope it further, one signifi!"nt result being the &"the&"ti?"tion of "ll "re"s of philosophy th"t is so stri1ing " fe"ture of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' In the se!on h"lf of this boo1 the i&p"!t of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e on his su!!essors ;"s e8"&ine in reg"r to
en p'212

so&e influenti"l &e&bers of the Pl"toni! S!hool "t *thens' Use of Pyth"gore"n liter"ture in the philosophi!"l !urri!ulu& !"n be observe in the !"se of <iero!les "n else;here 3see *ppen i8 II4' Syri"nus 1ne; I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism "n re!o&&en e it to his stu ents' <e sh"res I"&bli!hus/ vie;s on the n"ture "n history of philosophy "s the revel"tion of ;is o& by the pure soul of Pyth"gor"s, ;hose inspir"tion ;"s follo;e espe!i"lly by Pl"to "n the Pl"tonists "n to so&e egree *ristotle' <e fin s thus in *ristotle/s Metaphysics so&e truth !on!erning higher i&&"teri"l re"lities, but &ust !orre!t *ristotle in ter&s of " theory of the n"ture of Pyth"gore"nis&, the &"Gor sour!e of ;hi!h is I"&bli!hus' Syri"nus/ pupil Pro!lus sho;s si&il"r ten en!ies, p"rti!ul"rly in his e"rly Commentary on the !imaeus, ;here he t"1es Pl"to/s i"logue "s e8pressing Pyth"gore"n !os&ology' <o;ever, Pro!lus "lso re"!te !riti!"lly to the Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e' <e foun the first scientific e8pression of truth, not 3"s I"&bli!hus h" 4 "&ong the "n!ient Pyth"gore"ns, but in Pl"to/s i"logues' In !onseBuen!e Pl"to suppl"nts Pyth"gor"s "s the !entr"l "uthority in Pro!lus/ ;ritings' Further&ore, "lthough fully "!!epting the pivot"l role pl"ye by &"the&"ti!s in the philosophi!"l s!ien!es, Pro!lus &o ifies this role in v"rious ;"ys' ,eo&etry, r"ther th"n "rith&eti!, is !hosen "s the pre6e&inently &e i"tory &"the&"ti!"l s!ien!e, on "!!ount of its is!ursive, e&onstr"tive &etho ' Pro!lus thus "ssi&il"tes geo&etri! to s!ientifi! &etho "n gives to his philosophi!"l ;or1 in physi!s "n &et"physi!s " &"r1e geo&etri!"l "spe!t' <e "lso insists on the subor in"tion of &"the&"ti!s to the s!ien!e of the ivine, i"le!ti! or theology, in su!h " ;"y "s to &"1e !le"r the in" eBu"!y of Pyth"gore"n &"the&"ti!"l i&"gings of the ivine' #his reBuires, ho;ever, " efinite !on!ept of the s!ien!e of the ivine "s suppose ly !o&&uni!"te in

Pl"to/s ;ritings, " !on!ept th"t is l"rgely inspire , both in reg"r to the &etho "n !ontents of i"le!ti!, by Pro!lus/ vie; of the stru!ture "n !ontents of &"the&"ti!s' #he origin"lity of these i&port"nt fe"tures of Pro!lus/ philosophy !"nnot, I believe, be " eBu"tely "ppre!i"te if no referen!e is &" e to their b"!1groun "s " re"!tion to I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e' In !on!lusion I ;oul li1e to " ress " Buestion th"t !"n s!"r!ely be ignore 2 0hy i I"&bli!hus see1 to Pyth"gore"ni?e Pl"toni! philosophy> 0hy i he "tte&pt to refor&ul"te this philosophy "s the revel"tion of truth to the "n!ient ,ree1s by " ivine soul> #his Buestion t"1es on gre"ter i&port"n!e if ;e suppose th"t it !on!erns
en p'213

not Gust the intern"l history of ,ree1 philosophy but "lso the bro" er intelle!tu"l p"tterns of the perio ' %ught I"&bli!hus/ proGe!t to be seen in the light of the politi!"l su!!ess "n the in!re"sing theoreti!"l sophisti!"tion of "nother reve"le truth, )hristi"nity> Is I"&bli!hus/ figure of Pyth"gor"s the p"g"n response "n !ounterp"rt to )hrist> )ert"inly the p"g"n philosophers of l"te *ntiBuity ;ere very ";"re of the thre"t th"t )hristi"nity represente for the&' *lre" y in the se!on !entury )elsus h" "tt"!1e the pretensions of )hristi"ns th"t their religion ;"s the "n!ient ;is o& th"t h" inspire ,ree1 philosophers' Porphyry, ;ho "tt"!1e un er Plotinus/ ire!tion v"rious gnosti! se!ts, ;rote " !ritiBue of )hristi"nity th"t ;"s "ll the &ore "ngerous th"n )elsus/s in th"t it ;"s b"se on " superior philologi!"l, histori!"l, "n philosophi!"l !o&peten!e' Perh"ps in Plotinus "n !ert"inly l"ter in Pro!lus there "re veile referen!es to )hristi"nity' *
*

)f' S"ffrey 3199.4'

<o;ever, it ;oul be iffi!ult to sho;, on the b"sis of the e8t"nt re&"ins of On Pythagoreanism, th"t I"&bli!hus h" )hristi"nity spe!ifi!"lly in &in "s " t"rget "g"inst ;hi!h his Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;"s to be ire!te ' *t &ost one !oul point to stru!tur"l p"r"llels bet;een his figure of Pyth"gor"s 3his ivine "uthority, "ttributes, &ission, ;or s "n ee s "&ong &en4 "n )hrist' #here is, ho;ever, "nother hypothesis th"t I ;oul li1e to suggest, one th"t is perh"ps less "ttr"!tive, but th"t !"n "ppe"l to so&e evi en!e' In spe"1ing of the rel"tions bet;een I"&bli!hus "n his te"!her Porphyry "bove 3p' 2.4 I h"ve re!"lle the f"!t th"t &"ny of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1s ;ere rebutt"ls of spe!ifi! ;ritings of Porphyry' I"&bli!hus see&s to h"ve been !on!erne to "n unusu"l egree ;ith est"blishing hi&self by "tt"!1ing "n out6tru&ping his for&er te"!her' No; one of Porphyry/s &"Gor philosophi!"l ;or1s ;"s his Life "n e ition of Plotinus' In ee the in ustry Porphyry ispl"ye in publishing Plotinus/ ;or1, su&&"ri?ing it for beginners 3in the Sentences4 "n !o&&enting e8tensively on it 3the !o&&ent"ries "re no longer e8t"nt4 suggests th"t the pro&otion of Plotini"n philosophy ;"s one of Porphyry/s &"Gor interests' #he Life "n e ition of Plotinus ;ere not, "s in i!"te "bove in the Intro u!tion, " ;or1 &erely of eru ition, but

;ere esigne to invite, intro u!e, "n le" the re" er up to the highest truths in " syste&"ti! ;"y through the portr"y"l of Plotinus "s i e"l philosopher "n the reor ering of Plotinus/ tre"tises in "n "n"gogi! series' But this is "lso the purpose "n stru!ture of I"&bli!hus/ ;or1 On Pythagoreanism2 it too invites the
en p'21-

re" er to philosophy through the figure of Pyth"gor"s "n le" s hi& up through the su!!essive st"ges of Pyth"gore"n philosophy, the fin"l st"ge being re"!he , not in the ;or1 itself, but in " Pyth"gore"n theology' 0e &"y then suppose th"t here, "s in other inst"n!es, I"&bli!hus re"!te to "n sought to out o the ;or1 of his &"ster' Porphyry/s syste& of Plotini"n philosophy ;oul be suppl"nte by " o!trine of f"r gre"ter "ntiBuity "n "uthority, " o!trine th"t ;oul in!lu e the te8ts of Pl"to "n Plotinus "s subor in"te, the o!trine of Pyth"gor"s' If this ;"s in ee the intention of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e, ;e &ust "llo; th"t it h" so&e su!!ess' For it pl"ye " !onsi er"ble role, "long ;ith Porphyry/s e ition of Plotinus, in the history of l"ter ,ree1 philosophy' *n I"&bli!hus/ su!!essors !oul of !ourse !o&e to !onsi er his Pyth"gore"n theology "s " revel"tion of &u!h gre"ter "ntiBuity "n purity th"n th"t of the )hristi"ns'
en p'21.

*ppen i8 I #he 78!erpts fro& I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism (6(II in Psellus2 #e8t, #r"nsl"tion, "n Notes
#he te8t of Psellus/ ;or1s On Physical Num-er "n On thical and !heological Arithmetic ;hi!h I publishe in 1981 is reprinte here' $
$

By 1in per&ission of @ohns <op1ins University Press' I h"ve &" e one &inor !h"nge, "t On th3 !heol3 Arith3 -8, ;here, r"ther th"n in i!"ting "s before " l"!un" "fter MNbQNVO U , I ;oul suggest !orre!ting P PPQ Q to Z UP 3"s reBuire by the !onte8t4, but hesit"te in vie; of the persistent in e!ision in Neopyth"gore"n te8ts 3!f' the referen!es given " lo!'4 "s to ;hether Gusti!e is to be i entifie ;ith the nu&bers four or five'

Infor&"tion !on!erning &"nus!ripts, prin!iples of the e ition, "n other te8tu"l &"tters &"y be foun in %/5e"r" 319814 "n in the is!ussion of the &"nus!ript tr" ition of Nos' -6: in Psellus, Philosophica minora II' I h"ve inserte , *ery tent"tively, verti!"l lines ;here I ;oul suggest the Goints bet;een Psellus/ e8!erpts &ight o!!ur 3for groun s in f"vour of this I refer the re" er to )h"pter 3 "bove "n to the note on On Physical Num-er, line 29, belo;4' ,iven the n"ture of Psellus/ te8ts, the 7nglish tr"nsl"tion &"1es no preten!e "t eleg"n!e' For tr"nsl"tion of ,ree1 &"the&"ti!"l ter&s I h"ve follo;e the /,loss"ry/ in +/%oge et al3 3192:4, 291 ff', ;here referen!es to e8pl"n"tions of these ter&s &"y be foun ' Fin"lly I h"ve "ppen e referen!es lin1ing Psellus/ e8!erpts to si&il"r p"ss"ges in Neopyth"gore"n "n Neopl"toni! liter"ture 3si&il"rities in

vo!"bul"ry "n phr"sing in I"&bli!hus/ e8t"nt ;or1s "re "lso note 4' #his is not inten e , ho;ever, to repl"!e the "n"lysis propose "bove in )h"pter 3'
en p'219

%n Physi!"l ,um!er

3869 !f' "non' Prol3 in Nicom3 9:, 1261- -2 !f' I"&bl' Comm3 11, 2:69 -36- !f' *risto8enus, fr' 23, p' 1-, 3-6. 0ehrliF "non' !heol3 arith3 91, 10611 3C Ni!o&'4F *n"tolius, "e dec3 3., 29F #heon S&yrn' &pos3 10-, 9612 -86:- !f' "non' !heol3 arith3 :3, 236:-, 19 3Ni!o&'4F Ni!o&, in Phot' 5i-l3 III -. 31-- b 16-4F Syri"n' In met3 130, 3-F 1-3, 9F 188, 16-F =y us, "e mens3 32, 1.61: .-6. !f' "non' !heol3 arith3 -2, 196-3, 2 3*n"tolius4F #heon, &pos3 -., 1061-F 101, 969F I"&bl' In Nic3 3-, 19618 .9 !f' "non' !heol3 arith' .1, 1:619F :-, .611 :.6: !f' Ni!o&' Intro3 arith3 109, 226108, 1 :9 !f' *n"tolius, "e dec3 31, 3F "non' !heol3 arith3 8, 2 ff'F 32, 1361- 3*n"tolius4F #heon, &pos3 100, 9611F Syri"n' In met3 ., 206-F 131, 28631F Pro!l' In 'emp3 II 139, 236.F =y us, "e mens3 2-, -6 21 92 !f' Pl"to, !im3 .9 e :6.8 " 2 926- !f' *ristot' Phys3 201 b 1:629F I"&bl' In Nic3 -3, 226.F Si&pli!' In Phys3 -33, 3.6-3-, 1
Iou ;ere surprise ;hen, "t our &eeting yester "y, I s"i th"t there ;"s "nother, physi!"l nu&ber besi es &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber' But if you only 1ne; of the v"riety of nu&ber, you ;oul h"ve "s1e &e "bout intelligible, essenti"l, "n i e"l nu&ber' For . nu&ber of this 1in is truly the highest "n first' 5"the&"ti!"l nu&ber is seen in !o&&on !on!epts' Physi!"l nu&ber is foun in the lo;est things, things gener"te "n ivi e in bo ies' For the prin!iples &i8e in bo ies, both in "ni&"ls "n pl"nts, "re physi!"l nu&bers, for e"!h of these is born, gro;s, 10 "n ies "t eter&in"te ti&es' x *n the philosopher shoul fit the "ppropri"te nu&bers to the !"uses in n"ture'x *n sin!e for& is, in n"ture, the first "n &ost i&port"nt !"use 3for the being of "ll epen s on it4, thus su!h nu&bers "s provi e being to n"ture "n "re essenti"l, these "re !onn"tur"l 1. ;ith for&s' Physi!"l nu&bers of the for&"l type "re2 "ll o nu&bers, nu&bers properly !"lle /perfe!t/, sy&&etri! nu&bers su!h "s &ultiples "n superp"rti!ul"rs, or ere nu&bers su!h "s sBu"re "n !ubi! nu&bers' #he

be"uty in nu&bers, ;hi!h sho;s in their sy&&etryF the self6suffi!ien!y th"t is "pp"rent in perfe!t 20 nu&bersF the gener"tiveness seen in seven "n nineF the po;er th"t is observe espe!i"lly in the tetractysF the pri&"!y th"t is foun in the oneF "n the i entity, purity, "n p"r" ig&"ti! !h"r"!ter "ppe"ring in the first nu&bersF "n the eBu"lity th"t &"y be seen in sBu"re nu&berF "ll of these 2. fit physi!"l !"use "s for&'x Sin!e &"tter is "n i&port"nt !"use in n"ture, ;e ;ill fin it in physi!"l nu&bers by t"1ing "ll the opposites of the nu&bers ;e h"ve &entione "s reg"r s for&"l !"uses' #he nu&bers then th"t "re "ppropri"te to &"tter "re those th"t "re even, i&perfe!t, 30 ifferenti"ting, issi&il"r, "n "ll others su!h "s "re in opposition to for&"l nu&bers'x #here is "n effi!ient !"use in physi!"l nu&bers2 one &"y see this in the gener"tive nu&bers sho;n in "ni&"l gener"tion' x *n the prin!iple of &ove&ent "!!or ing to ifferen!e "n ineBu"lity 3. in nu&bers sho;s "n effi!ient !"use' x But this is espe!i"lly
en p'219

&"nifest in the rot"tions "n the revolutions of the he"vens' *n the st"rs/ !onfigur"tions in rel"tion to e"!h other, their perio i! revolutions, "ll of their sh"pes, their po;ers, "re !ont"ine in the prin!iples of nu&bers' *n the &oon/s ph"ses, -0 the or er of the spheres, the ist"n!es bet;een the&, the !entres of the !ir!les ;hi!h !"rry the&, nu&bers !ont"in the& "ll' In ee the &e"sures of nu&bers eter&ine he"lthF !rises in si!1ness "re !o&plete "!!or ing to eter&in"te nu&bersF e"ths !o&e thus "lso, n"ture h"ving fulfille the "ppropri"te &e"sures of !h"nge' x -. <en!e nu&ber is gener"tive of "ni&"l life' For sin!e "ni&"ls "re &" e up of soul "n bo y, the Pyth"gore"ns s"y soul "n bo y "re not pro u!e fro& the s"&e nu&ber, but soul fro& !ubi! nu&ber, bo y fro& the -omis%os' For, they s"y, being is fro& eBu"l ti&es the eBu"l eBu"l ti&es, !o&ing to be in eBu"lity, .0

;here"s bo y is " -omis%os, pro u!e fro& uneBu"l ti&es the uneBu"l uneBu"l ti&es' For our bo y h"s uneBu"l i&ensions2 its length is gre"test, its epth le"st, its bre" th inter&e i"te' #hus soul, "s they s"y, being " !ube fro& the nu&ber : 3;hi!h is perfe!t4, !o&es to be eBu"l "n eBu"l ti&es the eBu"l "s in the .. !ube 21:, for this is : by : by :' But bo y, being fro& uneBu"l si es "n uneBu"l ti&es the uneBu"l "n uneBu"l ti&es, is neither do%is nor plinthis but " -omis%os, h"ving for si es ., :, 92 for . by : is 30, "n 9 by 30 is 210' #hus seven6&onth births o!!ur in 210 "ys, h"ving " !o&plete bo y' If then the soul "lone ;ere :0 gener"te , it ;oul be born in 21: "ys, " perfe!t !ube being !o&plete ;ith its !o&ing' But sin!e the "ni&"l is &" e of soul "n bo y, 210 "ys "re "ppropri"te to the !o&pletion of the bo y2 the gener"tion of the bo y o&in"tes in the "ni&"l' x #hus soul esires eBu"lity, the bo y rel"tes to "no&"ly "n ineBu"lity' x :. #he "n!ients thought "lt"rs shoul h"ve "ll i&ensions uneBu"l' x Sin!e n"ture see&s to for& espe!i"lly by !h"nge, one &ust sho; ho; physi!"l nu&ber h"s !h"nge' #he !"uses of !h"nge then rel"te to the y" , the even, the heteromecic "n su!hli1e 3gener"lly ;henever in eter&in"teness is foun in nu&bers, there 90 !h"nge "ppe"rs4, ifferen!e "n ineBu"lity 3one is li1e " rel"tion "n property, ;hi!h is rest, the other " ifferenti"ting "n uneBu"li?ing, su!h th"t it is not the ifferent "n uneBu"l th"t "re in !h"nge, but those &" e ifferent "n uneBu"l4' x
en p'221

*n the po;er of the unli&ite "n of the li&iting is both 9. in n"ture "n in physi!"l nu&ber' #he li&iting in n"ture is the goo , be"utiful, eBu"lity, "n su!hli1e, the unli&ite the in eter&in"te, unor ere , irr"tion"l, evil, ugly, "n su!hli1e' x In physi!"l nu&ber the unli&ite is the !"use "s reg"r s plur"lity, the li&ite the first !"use "s reg"r s the one' x 80 Physi!"l nu&ber h"s pl"!e' For if nu&ber !ont"ins bo ies "n "ll e8tension, in the very s"&e ;"y it !ont"ins in itself the pl"!e th"t "!!o&p"nies bo ies, not "s if by tou!h but by in!orpore"l po;er' x *n the pl"!es of e"!h nu&ber "re or ere "!!or ing to the seri"l ' For so&e nu&bers "re by n"ture 8. "n or er o "n even, ;here"s so&e "re by n"ture o "n by or er even' x *n then "g"in pl"!es "re &ost influenti"l in the gener"tion of things in the "ssi&il"tion of the gener"te to the&' x Neither in n"ture nor in physi!"l nu&ber is there voi ' Its 90 p"r" ig& ;oul be nothing other th"n l"!1 of h"r&ony "n l"!1 of sy&&etry' But l"!1 of sy&&etry is b"nishe fro& nu&bers, unless one ;ishes to spe"1 of even nu&ber "s " is!ontinuous g"p' x

No; I 1no; these "re for!eful e&onstr"tions of physi!"l nu&ber' 0e "gree ;ith ;h"t the "n!ients s"y "n p"ss the& on to 9. you "s for the &ost p"rt right' For ;e o not "!!ept !o&pletely ;h"t !on!erns "ni&"l gener"tion2 there "re other prin!iples of soul/s being "n bo y/s &"1ing, e&iurgi! but not "rith&eti!'

%n 7thi!"l "n #heologi!"l Arithmetic

162 !f' I"&bl' In Nic' 3., 2610F 12., 1-622F Comm' 88, 29630 2 !f' Syri"n' In met' 189, 13 -610 !f' I"&bl' Comm' -9, 16:F Pro!l' In ucl' 2-, -619 -6. !f' Pl"to, Phile-' :: " :69 : !f' I"&bl' Comm' 91, 28
*s there "re nu&bers fitting n"ture, so there "re fitting h"bits' *n "s there is " physi!"l, so there is "n ethi!"l "rith&eti!' x #he prin!iple of "ll ethi!"l philosophy is &e"sure itself "n the &e"sure in the being of nu&bers, ;hi!h is . " pre6e&inent prin!iple in "ll ethi!"l or ering' *fter the one prin!iple there "re other prin!iples of "ll ethi!"l philosophy, su!h "s li&it, the perfe!t 3for perfe!tion unit"rily !o&pletes the best &e"sure of life4, then the or er in nu&bers ;hi!h fits ethi!"l goo or ering, then the unifor& "n si&il"r to the one, 10 su!h "s is seen either in the tetr" , heb o&" , or e!" ' x #here
en p'223
1

1- !f' Pl"to, 'ep' .-: b 96! 1F I"&bl' in Stob' Anth' I 3:-, 22F "e myst' 19, 19 1. !f' Pl"to, 'ep' -00 3, -13 e -F #heon, &pos' 11, 9620F I"&bl' Comm' :9, 10 1: !f' I"&bl' Comm' :1, 1.61: 19619 !f' *ristot' "e an' -0- b 226-F I"&bl' "e an' in Stob' Anth' I 3:-, 1.618F Si&pli!' In de an' 29, 269 2061 !f' *ristot' th3 Nic' 1198 " :69 2263 !f' Philol"us in +D I -1:, 8610F #heon, &pos' 103, 163 2-69 !f' Ni!o&' Intro3 arith' 3:, :639, 2F *n"tolius, "e dec' 31, 1:618F "non' !heol3 arith' 19, 12619F I"&bl' In Nic' 19, 162F 32, 2. ff'F .3, :69 30 !f' *ristot' th3 Nic' 109: b : 31 !f' I"&bl' Comm' .:, 8611F In Nic' 3., 263 3263 !f' "non' !heol3 arith' 1:, 18621F Ni!o&' in Phot' 5i-l' III -3 31-3 b 284 32 !f' *ristot' th3 Nic' 1139 " 8 336- !f' "non' !heol3 arith' -, -6. 3Ni!o&'4F I"&bl' In Nic' :, :69 3969 !f' Pl"to, 'ep' --2 ! 163F La)s 802 9F I"&bl' in Stob' Anth' III 320, 2F Syri"n, In met' 131, 3.69 -0 !f' *n"tolius, "e dec' 31, 1:618F "non' !heol3 arith' 19, 10612 3*n"tolius4F I"&bl' in Stob' Anth' III 2.9, 1-62.8, 2F 291, 2.6: --6: !f' I"&bl' In !im' fr' .3, 12613 -:69 C "non' !heol3 arith' 39, 26- 3Ni!o&'4 C I"&bl' In Nic' 1:, 1:618F !f' *n"tolius, "e dec' 31, 2263F I"&bl' Comm' :1, 163F Pr' 118, 163F Bertier et al' 319804, 1.8 -968 !f' "non' !heol3 arith' 29, :610

is further "s " &o el of goo !h"r"!ter the &e"n ;hi!h bin s together the ifferen!e in nu&bers, &"1ing "ll h"r&onious, pro u!ing "ll proportions, "n &"1ing the soul into so&ething ;ell6" Guste ' x 1. Soul/s po;ers "re rel"te to nu&ber for&s' For the intelle!t is the one "s unit"ry, s!ien!e is 2 be!"use it 1no;s ;ith !"use, opinion is pl"ne nu&ber, sens"tion

soli nu&ber be!"use it per!eives soli bo ies' x #he e!" !ont"ins the ethi!"l prin!iples in us' x =ife "!!or ing to intelle!t !ont"ins li&it, 20 "n , suit"ble "lso, the heb o&" , for it is unit"ry' *n the heb o&" , li1e intelle!tu"l "!tivity, neither gener"tes "nother eBu"l to the e!" by &ultipli!"tion nor is born of "nother' x If the for& of virtue is efine by " &e"sure "n perfe!t life, &e"n "n perfe!t nu&bers fit n"tur"l virtue, super"bun "nt 2. "n efi!ient e8!esses "n efi!ien!ies in rel"tion to virtue' x *n one &ust "ssign the opposites of ;h"t ;e give to virtue to vi!e2 l"!1 of &e"sure "n of h"r&ony, the ifferenti"ting, the uneBu"l, unli&ite , "n su!h6li1e' For "ll these fill the !olu&n of "ll vi!e' x 30 *n e"!h single virtue fits " nu&ber' For ;is o& "bout v"ri"ble &"tters, or pr"!ti!"l ;is o&, fits the tri" ;hi!h uses re"soning "s if in bre" th' 0is o& ;hi!h 1no;s beings is rel"te to the &on" ;hi!h sees ;h"t is 1no;n in " unit"ry ;"y' *n "!!or ing to the opposite, l"!1 of ;is o& 3. rel"tes to the y" , the unli&ite "n irr"tion"l to the unli&ite "n irr"tion"l' *n !our"ge "s &"nliness rel"tes to o nu&ber, but "s !onst"n!y it rel"tes to sBu"re ' 0h"t is fe&"le su!h "s !o;"r i!e is to be fitte to even , in!onst"n!y to oblong ' Fitting te&per"n!e, !"use of -0 sy&&etry, is 9 ;hi!h is &ultiplie fro& the tri" , for if "ll sBu"re nu&bers pro u!e eBu"lity, those pro u!e fro& o nu&bers "re the best for pro u!ing eBu"lity, "n of these the first is the sBu"re fro& the tri" , 9, ;hi!h !o&es fro& t;o perfe!t nu&bers, the 3 "n :, "!!or ing to the first perfe!t nu&ber, the -. 3, perfe!te !o&pletely "n "s " ;hole' @usti!e "s the f"!ulty of re!ipro!ity of the eBu"l "n "ppropri"te is !ont"ine by the &e"n
en p'22.
1

-96.1 !f' "non' !heol3 arith' 39, -610F #heon, &pos' 101, 1-623F I"&bl' In Nic' 1:, 18619, 2 .369 !f' I"&bl' Comm' :3, 23631 .: !f' I"&bl' Comm' :-, : .968 !f' I"&bl' "e myst' 23, 1.61:F 1:0, 16 3 .96:3 !f' I"&bl' Pr' 23, 216.F Comm' 1:, 1061-F Syri"n' In met' 182, 369 :-6: !f' I"&bl' Comm' :3, 2-69F 92, 1-61.F :1, : :9690 !f' I"&bl' "e myst' 2:1, 962:3, 9F 2:-, 1362:., .F Pro!l' l3 theol' prop' 113 3100, .694F !heol3 Plat' III 12, 10611F 3:, 1361. 9162 !f' Pl"to La)s 91. eF %!ellus in +D I --1, 968F #heon, &pos3 100, 1361-F -:, 1.F "non' !heol3 arith3 19, -6. 3*n"tolius4F I"&bl' "e myst3 :0, 162 926- !f' Syri"n' In met3 1-0, 10618 9:69 !f' "non' !heol3 arith3 12, 10611F Syri"n' In met3 ., 2263F 112, 1: "n 3.6113, 3F Pro!l' l3 theol3 prop' 1.2F !heol3 Plat3 I 122, 8610F III -., 36.

of " sBu"re o nu&ber' For - fits' Gusti!e, lying in bet;een the &on" "n the nu&ber 9, "n the nu&ber by ;hi!h it is less th"n 9, by this nu&ber it is &ore th"n the &on" ' *n . is the .0 ninth p"rt of su&&"tion of the nu&bers going fro& the &on" to the enne" ' Su!h then is "rith&eti! in ethi!s'x

#he philosopher I"&bli!hus ;rote "n "rith&eti! of higher n"tures, not tre"ting of the nu&bers in the& &"the&"ti!"lly, nor i&"ging the higher 1in s through "n"logies, nor positing the& "s .. hypost"ti!, self6&ove , intelle!tu"l, or essenti"l nu&bers, but he s"ys "s the genus of higher tr"ns!en s "ll being, so is their nu&ber "bsolute "n of itself'x Spe"1ing of the ifferen!e bet;een the goo "n the one, he s"ys th"t "s the n"ture of the goo is gener"tive, being prior "s :0 !"use to "ll goo s, progresses in itself, "n &ultiplies, thus the !o&plete !"use of the one fills "ll fro& itself, hol s beings in itself, "n &ultiplies in itself'x Suit"ble "n "ppropri"te to the higher 1in s is the higher 1in of &"the&"ti!"l nu&ber, su!h "s the one, li&it, the :. eter&in"te, eBu"l, "n su!h6li1e' x *s there is " physi!"l !"use of physi!"l nu&bers, "n ethi!"l for ethi!"ls, thus of ivine nu&ber there is " unifor& ivine prin!iple, prior "s !"use to the !"uses in "ll nu&bers, " unifor& unity pre6e8isting even "ll ivine unifie nu&ber itself' x #he first then, the one properly 90 spe"1ing, ,o "s )e ;oul s"y, is hen" "n tri" 3for the tri" unrolls the beginning, &i le, "n en "roun the one4F "n the intelligible "n brightest &on" "s!en s to the highest !"useF "n the super!elesti"l of the le" er of or erF "n the e"rthly, in ivisible in the ivi e , full in the 9. l"!1ing' x #here is " ivine y" , unli&ite po;er, never f"iling progression of life, re!eiving the &e"sure of the first one' For the y" is intelligible, intelle!tu"l, &"the&"ti!"l, in &"tter' x So "lso the tri" 2 one is intelligible, one intelle!tu"l, one super!elesti"l, one !elesti"l, one penetr"ting the universe'x 80 In this &"nner then of the "!!ount of this ;on rous "rith&eti! you &ight rel"te e"!h in the n"tur"l flo; of nu&bers to the supern"tur"l unities' But r"ther this is inferior "n "ppropri"te to "n"logy' If one ;ishe to see ivine nu&ber better, one ;oul efine this fro& the higher 1in s the&selves' 8. For there is " ivine one "n ivine &on" "n ivine y" , "n
en p'229
1

8869 !f' Psellus, Philos3 min3 no' 29, 10:, 10611

o "n even, tr"ns!en ent "n thought in higher insights' *n I 1no; th"t one &ight "!!ept these things ;ith iffi!ulty' #his h"ppens in our negle!t of higher ' For ;e o not e"sily "!!ept the !onte&pl"tion of the un"!!usto&e "n unf"&ili"r' 90
en p'229

*ppen i8 II #he *r"bi! )o&&ent"ries on the ,ol en (erses *ttribute to I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus
#he e8isten!e of t;o *r"bi! &"nus!ripts, one !ont"ining " !o&&ent"ry on the Golden Verses "ttribute to Pro!lus, the other !ont"ining "nother !o&&ent"ry "ttribute to I"&bli!hus, h"s been 1no;n for so&e ti&e 37n res K1993L, 2:694' <o;ever, the i&port"n!e of the t;o *r"bi! te8ts !oul h"r ly be g"uge so long "s they re&"ine une ite "n untr"nsl"te ' N' =inley/s e ition "n tr"nsl"tion of the !o&&ent"ry "ttribute to Pro!lus h"ve no; &" e this te8t "!!essible, "n it h"s "lre" y been is!usse in "n i&port"nt "rti!le re!ently publishe by =' ,' 0esterin1 319894' Before his e"th =inley h" "lso prep"re " provision"l in!o&plete types!ript r"ft of " tr"nsl"tion of the !o&&ent"ry "ttribute to I"&bli!hus' <o;ever "n e ition "n !o&plete tr"nsl"tion "re still l"!1ing' In this *ppen i8 I sh"ll venture so&e re&"r1s "bout the I"&bli!hus te8t "n propose " fe; !o&&ents " ition"l to 0esterin1/s fin ings !on!erning the Pro!lus !o&&ent"ry' In the for&er !"se I epen on =inley/s provision"l "n in!o&plete tr"nsl"tion, "n ;h"t I suggest &ust in !onseBuen!e be reg"r e "s tent"tive'

I' #he )o&&ent"ry on the ,ol en (erses *ttribute to I"&bli!hus

*n in!o&plete te8t of this !o&&ent"ry survives in one &"nus!ript of the thirteenth !entury no; "t Prin!eton' =inley tr"nsl"tes its title thus2 /* )o&&ent"ry, !o&pile fro& the boo1 of I"&bli!hus, on the s78hort"tionss of the philosopher Pyth"gor"s/' =inley in i!"tes 3in his e ition of the Pro!lus !o&&ent"ry, v4 th"t this te8t, "s oppose to the Pro!lus !o&&ent"ry, uses the st"n "r *r"bi! tr"nsl"tion of the Golden Verses' #he t;o te8ts "ppe"r "lso other;ise to h"ve little in !o&&on, e8!epting so&e &or"l pl"titu es, " si&il"r e8egesis "t the en of their !o&&ents on verses .96:0, "n so&e points to be &entione shortly' In gener"l the I"&bli!hus !o&&ent"ry oes not sho; "ny !lose epen en!e either on <iero!les or on I"&bli!hus/ e8egesis in Protrepticus, !h' 3 3e8!eptions note belo;4, "n gives the i&pression of being little &ore th"n " series of glosses on "n p"r"phr"ses of the Golden Verses' 0here the !o&&ent"ry is fuller, it gives e8pression to r"ther b"n"l &or"l i e"s' I o not thin1, ho;ever, th"t this te8t !"n be reg"r e si&ply "s 5usli& 3or perh"ps )hristi"n4 glossing of the Golden Verses, for there "re signs of so&e epen en!e on ,ree1 Neopl"toni! e8egesis of the Golden Verses'
en p'230

#he !le"rest in i!"tion of this is the "rti!ul"tion of the !o&&ent"ry into "n ethi!"l "n politi!"l se!tion, en ing ;ith the e8egesis of verse -., "n " theoreti!"l se!tion on the ivine "n on &"n th"t follo;s' 0esterin1 319894, :8, h"s note the o!!urren!e of this "rti!ul"tion in the *r"bi! !o&&ent"ry "ttribute to Pro!lus "n in <iero!les 3!f' In carm3 8-, 9694' *nother "rti!ul"tion is foun in our *r"bi! I"&bli!hus "t verses .-68 ;here the e8egesis &"r1s " tr"nsition fro& physi!s to

the topi! of !hoi!e 3Z VQ ONR4, " tr"nsition &"r1e "lso in the !orrespon ing p"rt of I"&bli!hus/ Protrepticus 312, 1694, but not in <iero!les "n in the *r"bi! Pro!lus !o&&ent"ry' %ne &ight note fin"lly so&e tr"!es in the *r"bi! I"&bli!hus te8t of vulg"ri?e Neopl"tonis&2 the !on!eption of souls th"t h"ve free the&selves fro& the &"teri"l ;orl "s ;ise "n ivine beings 3on verses 1624E enough is s"i here to in i!"te th"t the hier"r!hy of souls 3heroi!, e&oni!, "n ivine4 evelope by I"&bli!hus, <iero!les, "n Pro!lus is in BuestionE"n e&ph"sis on the un!h"nging i&&"teri"l being of the ivine "n on the ivine intelle!t in &"n th"t re&in s hi& of his superior origin "n n"ture 3on verses -:, -96.1, :16.4' If this evi en!e suggests th"t the !o&&ent"ry epen s ulti&"tely on so&e ,ree1 Neopl"toni! origin"l, it oes not suffi!e, ho;ever, to eter&ine ho; seriously the "ttribution in the title of the !o&&ent"ry to I"&bli!hus shoul be t"1en' Su!h "n "ttribution is not i&possible, "llo;"n!e being &" e for &"ny o&issions "n l"ter " itions in the te8t of the !o&&ent"ry' But "t present "t "ny r"te there is little th"t !oul !onfir& the "ttribution'

2' #he )o&&ent"ry on the ,ol en (erses *ttribute to Pro!lus

*nother *r"bi! !o&&ent"ry on the Golden Verses, tr"ns&itte "lso by " single &"nus!ript, !onsists of e8tr"!ts &" e by Ibn "t #"yyib 3eleventh !entury4 entitle 2 /#he essenti"ls of the tre"tise of Pyth"gor"s 1no;n "s sthe ,ol ens' Pro!lus/ !o&&ent"ry/' 3%n the &"nus!ript "n on "t #"yyib, !f' =inley/s e ition'4 #he &"Gor points &" e by 0esterin1 319894 &ight be su&&"ri?e "s follo;s' 3i4 #he !o&&ent"ryE" l"rger "n &u!h &ore interesting ;or1 th"n the *r"bi! !o&&ent"ry "ttribute to I"&bli!husEfollo;s " Neopl"toni! ,ree1 &o el, e8!epting so&e 5usli& 3or )hristi"n4 &o ifi!"tions' For it e&onstr"tes " f"&ili"rity ;ith Pyth"gor"s/ biogr"phy "n ;ith Pl"to/s i"logues th"t goes beyon the !o&&onpl"!e' 0esterin1 "lso sho;s the presen!e in it of spe!ifi! Neopl"toni! o!trines, t;o of ;hi!h ;ill be is!usse belo;, n"&ely the hier"r!hy of go s, e&ons, heroes, "n souls, "n " hier"r!hy of ifferent 1in s of nu&ber' 3ii4 %n the Buestion of the "ttribution of the !o&&ent"ry to Pro!lus, 0esterin1 e8plores the v"rious possibilities' *r"bi! bibliogr"phy 1no;s of " Commentary on the Golden Verses by Pro!lus, but this infor&"tion may be b"se on the te8t un er is!ussion
en p'231

here' ,ree1 bibliogr"phies o not "ssign su!h " !o&&ent"ry to Pro!lus' <o;ever, the Suda lists "s ;or1s of " !ert"in Pro!lus Pro!leius of ="o i!e" " theology, " !o&&ent"ry on the Golden Verses, " !o&&ent"ry on Ni!o&"!hus, "n v"rious geo&etri!"l ;or1s' 0esterin1 sho;s th"t this Pro!lus of ="o i!e", " Neopl"tonist of the en of the fourth !entury or slightly l"ter, is not to be i entifie ;ith Pro!lus the su!!essor of Syri"nus in the s!hool of *thens' It is possible then th"t the "uthor of the ,ree1 origin"l of the *r"bi! te8t is either of these t;o

Pro!luses or perh"ps "nother ,ree1 Neopl"tonist ;hose ;or1 !"&e to be "ttribute to /Pro!lus/' *t present it oes not "ppe"r to be possible to go further th"n this on the Buestion of "ttribution to Pro!lus' If the *r"bi! te8t !orrespon s in ee to the !o&&ent"ry by Pro!lus of ="o i!e", it ;oul !onstitute "nother e8"&ple of the influen!e of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e' In the light of this progr"&&e the f"!t th"t this Pro!lus ;rote on the Golden Verses, on Ni!o&"!hus, "n on geo&etry oes not "ppe"r to be &erely !oin!i ent"l' Further&ore the *r"bi! te8t !ont"ins p"ss"ges of p"rti!ul"r interest ;ith reg"r to I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"nis&' %ne p"ss"ge 3194, spe"1ing of the hier"r!hy of go s, e&ons, "n heroes, es!ribes heroes "s follo;s2 <eroes "re souls ;hi!h h"ve p"sse lives "s hu&"ns, "n h"ve re&"ine ;ith hu&"ns ;ithout be!o&ing pollute , "n ;ere !"uses of their goo s' 0esterin1 319894, :9, !o&p"res this to I"&bli!hus "n in p"rti!ul"r to the unpollute souls in Pro!lus' In I"&bli!hus, "s ;e h"ve seen, su!h pure souls "re espe!i"lly signifi!"nt "s !orrespon ing to the gre"t philosophi!"l benef"!tors of &"n1in , in!lu ing of !ourse Pyth"gor"s' <o;ever, the *r"bi! te8t oes not est"blish this !orrespon en!e' *nother interesting p"ss"ge in the *r"bi! te8t 399694 intro u!es nu&erologi!"l spe!ul"tions "n in p"rti!ul"r " hier"r!hy of ifferent 1in s of nu&ber2 #he first nu&bers "re !h"r"!teristi! of the go s, the se!on represent the intelligible for&s th"t "re foun in "ll th"t e8ists, the thir "re represent"tions of soul ' ' ' the fourth "re represent"tions of n"tur"l obGe!ts, in 1eeping ;ith &"tter "n its or ering by for&' 0esterin1 refers to "nother su!h !l"ssifi!"tion in Pro!lus' But it is "lre" y "n i&port"nt the&e in I"&bli!hus/ On Pythagoreanism, "s ;e h"ve seen' #he *r"bi! !o&&ent"ry thus !ont"ins i e"s !h"r"!teristi! of I"&bli!hus/ Pyth"gore"ni?ing progr"&&e ;hi!h re"ppe"r in Syri"nus "n in Pro!lus' If then the pre!ise "uthorship of the *r"bi! !o&&ent"ry !"nnot yet be eter&ine ;ith !ert"inty, it !"n "t le"st be seen "s further evi en!e of the influen!e of I"&bli!hus/ reviv"l of Pyth"gore"nis&'
en p'232

2i!liography +. Ancient Authors =iste belo; "re the e itions I h"ve use in !iting "n!ient "uthors 3!ite by p"ge "n line nu&bers, unless other;ise in i!"te 4' %ther e itions, referre to on "!!ount of the vie;s of their &o ern e itors, "re liste in the se!on p"rt of the bibliogr"phy' *lbinus, "idas%ali%os, e ', tr"nsl' P' =ouis, Al-inus ;pitom;, P"ris 19-.' *n"tolius, "e decade, e ' @' =' <eiberg, Congr,s international d'histoire compar;e+ Ve section, P"ris 1900, 296-1 3repr' Nen eln 19924, ;ith tr"nsl' "n note by P' #"nnery, -26.9' EE &cerpta, e ' F' <ults!h, 7eronis Ale&andrini geometricorum et stereometricorum reli8uiae, Berlin 18:-, 29:680' *nony&ous, Prolegomena in Introductionem arithmeticam Nicomachi , e ' P' #"nnery, "iophanti Ale&andrini opera omnia, =eip?ig 189., II 9369'

Anonymous Prolegomena to Platonic Philosophy , e ' =' ,' 0esterin1, *&ster "& 19:2' *nony&ous, KIam-lichiL !heologoumena arithmeticae , e ' (' e F"l!o, =eip?ig 1922' *s!lepius, In Aristotelis Metaphysicorum li-ros A@= commentaria , e ' 5' <"y u!1 3CAG (I 24, Berlin 1888' *tti!us, $ragments, e ', tr"nsl' 7' es Pl"!es, P"ris 1999' *ugustine, "e ordine, e ' P' DnJll, (ienn" 1922' Chaldaean Oracles, e ', tr"nsl' 7' es Pl"!es, P"ris 1991' +"&"s!ius, "e principiis, e ' 7' $uelle, P"ris 1889 3tr"nsl'2 !f' )o&bgs K198:L4' EE In Phile-um, e ', tr"nsl' =' 0esterin1, *&ster "& 19.9' EE Vitae Isidori reli8uiae, e ' )' jint?en, <il eshei& 19:9' +e8ippus, In Aristotelis Categorias commentarium, e ' *' Busse 3CAG I( 24, Berlin 1888' +o&ninus, Manual of Introductory Arithmetic, e ' @' Boisson" e, Anecdota graeca I(, P"ris 1832 3repr' <il eshei& 19:24, -13629 3tr"nsl'2 !f' #"nnery K190:L4' 7li"s, In Porphyrii Isagogen et Aristotelis Categorias commentaria , e ' *' Busse 3CAG f(III4, Berlin 1900' 7un"pius, Vitae Sophistarum, in Philostratus and unapius !he Li*es of the Sophists, e ', tr"nsl' 0' 0right, =on on 1922' 7usebius, 7istoria ecclesiastica, e ' 7' S!h;"rt?, =eip?ig 1908' <er&i"s, In Platonis Phaedrum Scholia, e ' P' )ouvreur, P"ris 1901, repr' ;ith " itions by )' jint?en, <il eshei& 1991'
en p'233

<er&ogenes, Progymnasmata, e ' <' $"be, =eip?ig 1913' <iero!les, In Aureum Pythagoreorum carmen commentarius , e ' F' DJhler, Stuttg"rt 199- 3tr"nsl'2 !f' DJhler K1983L4' I"&bli!hus, 3>4 Commentary on the Pythagorean Golden Verses , types!ript of provision"l in!o&plete 7nglish tr"nsl"tion by N' =inley 3!o&&uni!"te by =' ,' 0esterin14' EE "e mysteriis, e ' ,' P"rthey, Berlin 18.9 3repr' *&ster "& 19:.4 3tr"nsl'2 es Pl"!es K19::L4' EE $ragmentsA Commentaries on Plato2 !f' +illon 319934F Commentaries on Aristotle2 !f' ="rsen 319924F "e anima2 !f' Stob"eusF Letters2 !f' Stob"eus' E On Pythagoreanism2 Boo1 I' "e Vita Pythagorica 3C Vit3 Pyth34, e ' =' +eubner 319394, repr' Stuttg"rt 199. 3tr"nsl'2 !f' von *lbre!ht K19:3L, 5ontoneri K1993L4F Boo1 II' Protrepticus 3C Pr34, e ' =' Pistelli 318884, repr' Stuttg"rt 19:9 3tr"nsl' S!hJnberger K198-L, es Pl"!es K198:L4F Boo1 III' "e communi mathematica scientia 3C Comm34, e ' N' Fest" 318914, repr' Stuttg"rt 199.F Boo1 I(' In Nicomachi Arithmeticam introductionem 3C In Nic34, e ' <' Pistelli 3189-4, repr' Stuttg"rt 199.' @ero&e, pistula ad*ersus 'ufinum, e ' P' ="r et, S3 7ieronymi 3 3 3 Opera III /, #urnhout 1982'

=y us, "e mensi-us, e ' $' 0rns!h, =eip?ig 1898' 5"rinus, Commentarius in uclidis data, in uclidis Opera omnia, e ' I' <eiberg "n <' 5enge, vol' (I, =eip?ig 189:' EE Vita Procli, e ' @' Boisson" e, =eip?ig 181-, repr' *&ster "& 19:: 3tr"nsl'2 !f' 5"sullo K198.L4' 5*fI5US %F #I$7 , Orationes >Philosophumena?, e ' <' <obein, =eip?ig 1910' 5en"n er, "e laudationi-us, e ' =' Spengel, 'hetores graeci, vol' III, =eip?ig 18.:' Ni!o&"!hus, Introductio arithmetica, e ' $' <o!he, =eip?ig 18:: 3tr"nsl'2 !f' +/%oge K192:L, Bertier K1998L4' EE Manuale harmonicum, e ' D' von @"n, Musici scriptores graeci, =eip?ig 189., repr' <il eshei& 19:2, 2396:.' Nu&enius, $ragments, e ', tr"nsl' 7' es Pl"!es, P"ris 1993' Philoponus, In Aristotelis Physica commentaria, e ' <' (itelli 3CAG f(I6f(II4, Berlin 1888' EE In "e anima, e ' 5' <"y u!1 3CAG f(4, Berlin 1899' EE In Nicomachum, e ' $' <o!he, Progr"& 0esel 18:-69' Photius, 5i-liotheca, e ', tr"nsl' $' <enry, P"ris 19.9699' Plotinus, nneads, e ' P' <enry, <' $' S!h;y?er, Bru8elles6P"ris6=ei en 19.16 93 3tr"nsl'2 !f' *r&strong K19:: ff'L4' Plut"r!h, "e procreatione animae, e ', tr"nsl' <' )herniss, Plutarch's Moralia fIII 1, )"&bri ge, 5"ss' 199:'
en p'23-

Porphyry, "e a-stinentia, e ', tr"nsl' @' Bouff"rtigue "n 5' P"tillon, P"ris 19996 9' EE "e philosophia e& oraculis haurienda, e ' ,' 0olff, Berlin 18.:, repr' <il eshei& 19:2' EE pistula ad Ane-o, e ' *' $' So "no, Porfirio Lettera ad Ane-o, N"ples 19.8' EE Opuscula Selecta, e ' *' N"u!1, =eip?ig 188:, repr' <il eshei& 19:3' EE 6uaestiones 7omericae ad Iliadem, e ' <' S!hr"e er, =eip?ig 188062' EE Vie de Pythagore+ Lettre : Marcella, e ', tr"nsl' 7' es Pl"!es, "ve! *ppen i!e /*'6Ph' Segon s, P"ris 1982' EE Vita Plotini, e ite "t he" of Plotinus/ nneads' Pro!lus, Commentary on the $irst Alci-iades of Plato, e ' =' ,' 0esterin1, *&ster "& 19.- 3tr"nsl'2 !f' %/Neill K19:.L, Segon s K198.6:L4' EE Commentaria in Parmenidem, in Pro!lus, Opera inedita, e ' (' )ousin, P"ris 18:- 3tr"nsl'2 !f' 5orro; "n +illon K1989L4' EE3>4 Commentary on the Pythagorean Golden Verses 378tr"!ts &" e by Ibn "t6#"yyib4, e ' tr"nsl' N' =inley, Buff"lo 198-' EE Institutio Physica, e ', tr"nsl' *' $it?enfel , =eip?ig 1912' EE 7ypotyposis astronomicarum positionum , e ' )' 5"nitius, =eip?ig 1909' EE In Platonis Cratylum commentaria, e ' ,' P"sBu"li, =eip?ig 1908' EE In Platonis 'empu-licam, e ' 0' Droll, =eip?ig 1899 3tr"nsl'2 !f' Festugigre K1990L4'

EE In Platonis !imaeum, e ' 7' +iehl, =eip?ig 1903 3tr"nsl'2 !f' Festugigre K19::68L4' EE In Primum uclidis lementorum li-rum commentarii , e ' ,' Frie lein, =eip?ig 1893, repr' 19:9 3tr"nsl'2 !f' 5orro; K1990L4' EE !he lements of !heology, e ', tr"nsl' 7' $' +o s, 2n e n', %8for 19:3' EE !h;ologie Platonicienne, e ', tr"nsl' <'6+' S"ffrey "n =' ,' 0esterin1, P"ris 19:8 ff' EE !ria opuscula 3"e pro*identia+ li-ertate+ malo4 e ' <' Boese, Berlin 19:0 3tr"nsl'2 !f' 7rler K1998L, K1980L4' 5i!h"el Psellus, Chronographia, e ', tr"nsl' 7' $en"ul , P"ris 192:' EE Philosophica minora, e ' @' 5' +uffy, +' @' %/5e"r", vol' II, e ' +' @' %/5e"r", =eip?ig 1989' Si&pli!ius, In "e anima, e ' 5' <"y u!1 3CAG fI4, Berlin 1882' EE In "e caelo, e ' I' <eiberg 3CAG (II4, Berlin 189-' EE In Categorias, e ' )' D"lbfleis!h 3CAG (III4, Berlin 1909' EE In Aristotelis Physicorum li-ros, e ' <' +iels 3CAG If6f4, Berlin 188269.' Stob"eus, Anthologium, e ' )' 0"!hs&uth6%' <ense, Berlin 188-61912' Stoicorum *eterum fragmenta, e ' <' von *rni&, =eip?ig 190.62-, repr' Stuttg"rt 1998' Syri"nus, In 7ermogenem, e ' <' $"be, =eip?ig 1892' EE In Metaphysica commentaria, e ' 0' Droll 3CAG (I4, Berlin 1902'
en p'23.

#he&istius, In Aristotelis Physica Paraphrasis, e ' <' S!hen1e 3CAG ( 24, Berlin 1900' #heon, Progymnasmata, e ' =' Spengel, 'hetores graeci, vol' II, =eip?ig 18.-' #<7%N %F S5I$N* , &positio rerum mathematicarum ad legendum Platonem utilium, e ' 7' <iller, =eip?ig 1898 3tr"nsl'2 !f' +upuis K1892L4' #i&"eus =o!rus, "e natura mundi et animae, e ' 0' 5"rg, =ei en 1992' %. Modern Authors #his bibliogr"phy in!lu es so&e titles not !ite in this boo1 but of relev"n!e to its subGe!t' *rti!les ;hi!h h"ve been reprinte "re !ite in the notes "!!or ing to the ye"r of first publi!"tion "n the p"gin"tion of the reprint' *lbre!ht, 5' von 319:34' Iam-lichos Pythagoras, juri!h' EE 319::4' /+"s 5ens!henbil in I"&bli!hs +"rstellung er pyth"goreis!hen =ebensfor&/, Anti%e und A-endland 12, .16:3' *llen, $' 7' 319904' Plato's ' uthyphro' and the arlier !heory of $orms , Ne; Ior1' *nn"s, @' 3199:4' Aristotle's Metaphysics 5oo%s M and N, %8for ' *ntonelli, 5' 319:94' /=/i e" i &"te&"ti!" in ,i"&bli!o/, Arts li-;rau& et philosophie au moyen Bge, 5ontrA"l6P"ris, 1009621' *r&strong, *' <' 319:: ff'4' Plotinus 37nglish tr"nsl'4, =on on "n )"&bri ge, 5"ss' EE 319:94' 7 ', !he Cam-ridge 7istory of Later Gree% and arly Medie*al Philosophy, )"&bri ge' *ubenBue, P' 319:24' Le Pro-leme de l'Ctre che. Aristote, P"ris' *uG"!, ,' 3199.a4' G;minos Introduction au& ph;nom,nes, P"ris'

EE 3199.-4' /5i!hel Psellos et +enys /<"li!"rn"sse2 le tr"itA sur l" !o&position es AlA&ents u l"ng"ge/, 'e*ue des ;tudes -y.antines 33, 2.969.' *uGoul"t, N' 3199:4' /Sur l" vie et les oeuvres e <iAro!lgs, Problg&e e !hronologie/, Pallas 23, 19630' EE 3198:4' Le N;o9Platonisme Ale&andrinA 7i;rocl,s d'Ale&andrie , =ei en' B"ltes, 5' 31998a4' $evie; of Dobus!h 3199:4, Gnomon .0, 2.:6:1' EE 31998-4' "ie Deltentstehung des Platonischen !imaios nach den anti%en Interpreten II, =ei en' Beier;"ltes, 0' 319:14' /7ine $efle8ion ?u& ,eist6Begriff es Pro1los/, Archi* fEr Geschichte der Philosophie -3, 119629' EE 319:34, /+er Begriff es sunu& in nobiss bei Pro1los/, Miscellanea Medie*alia, e ' P' 0ilpert, 2, 2..6::' EE 319:94' /Neopl"toni!"/, Philosophische 'undschau 1:, 1306.2' EE 319924' /*n ersheit/, Archi* fEr 5egriffsgeschichte 1:, 1::699' EE 319994' Pro%los Grund.Ege seiner Metaphysi%, 2n revise e n', Fr"n1furt' EE 3198.4' "en%en des inen, Fr"n1furt'
en p'23:

Ben"1is, =' 319:-4' /+o8ogr"phis!he *ng"ben rber ie (orso1r"ti1er i& une ierten Do&&ent"r ?ur sPhysi1s es *ristoteles von 5i!h"el Psellos/, FAPIG >#3 I3 5OHP5 P7 ?, *thens, 3-.6.-' Bertier, @' 319984' Nicoma8ue de G;rase Introduction arithm;ti8ue , P"ris' EE et al3 319804' Plotin !rait; sur les nom-res > nn;ade VI IJKLM? , P"ris' Beutler, $' 319.34' /Porphyrios/, ' 22, 1, 29.6313' EE 319.94' /Pro1los/, ' 23, 18:62-9' Bi e?, @' 319134' Vie de Porphyre, ,hent, repr' <il eshei& 19:-' EE 319194' /=e philosophe @"&bliBue et son A!ole/, 'e*ue des ;tudes grec8ues 32, 296-0' EE 319284' Catalogue des manuscrits alch;mi8ues grecs (I, Brussels' Bieler, =' 3193.4' N IOG AN7P3 "as 5ild des OgPttlichen MenschenO in Sp(tanti%e und $rEhchristentum, (ienn"' Biel&eier, P' 319304' "ie neuplatonische Phaidrosinterpretation , P" erborn' Blu&enth"l, <' @' 3199.4' /Plut"r!h/s 78position of the "e anima "n the Psy!hology of Pro!lus/, "e Qam-li8ue : Proclus, ("n yuvres6,enev", 1236.1' EE 319984' /.29 "n its seBuel2 0h"t h"ppene to the *!" e&y/, 5y.antion -8, 3:968.' EE 319814' /Plotinus in ="ter Pl"tonis&/, in Neoplatonism and arly Christian !hought, e ' <' @' Blu&enth"l "n $' 5"r1us, =on on, 212622' EE 319824' /Pro!lus on Per!eption/, 5ulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies 3University of =on on4 29, 1611' EE 3198-4' /5"rinus/ =ife of Pro!lus2 Neopl"tonist Biogr"phy/, 5y.antion .-, -:969-' EE 3198:a4' /@ohn Philoponus2 *le8"n ri"n Pl"tonist>/, 7ermes 11-, 31-63.' EE 3198:-4' /Bo y "n Soul in Philoponus/, !he Monist :9, 390682' Boese, <' 3198.4' Dilhelm *on Moer-e%e als R-erset.er der Stoicheiosis !heologi%e des Proclus, <ei elberg'

Boisson" e, @' 318384' Michael Psellus de operatione daimonum, Nrrnberg, repr' *&ster "& 19:-' Borghorst, ,' 3190.4' "e Anatolii fonti-us, Berlin iss' Bo;er, )' 319984' /Boethius "n Ni!o&"!hus2 "n 7ss"y !on!erning the Sour!es of the "e institutione musica', Vi*arium 1:, 16-.' Breton, S' 319:94' Philosophie et Math;mati8ue che. Proclus, P"ris' Brisson, =', et al3 319824' PorphyreA la *ie de Plotin, P"ris' Bro;ning, $' 3199.4' /7nlighten&ent "n $epression in By?"ntiu& in the 7leventh "n #;elfth )enturies/, Past and Present :9, 3623' Bruns!hvi!B, =' 319294' Les Stapes de la philosophie math;mati8ue , P"ris' EE 319394' Le 'Tle du Pythagorisme dans l';*olution des id;es , P"ris' Bur1ert, 0' 319:14' /<ellenistis!he Pseu opyth"gori!"/, Philologus 10., 1:6-3, 22:6-:' EE 319924' Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism, )"&bri ge, 5"ss'
en p'239

)"r ullo, =' 3198.4' Il Linguaggio del Sim-olo in Proclo, )"t"ni"' )h" ;i!1, <' 319814' 5oethiusA the Consolations of Music+ Logic+ !heology+ and Philosophy, %8for ' )h"rles, *' 319:94' /Sur le !"r"!tgre inter&A i"ire es &"thA&"tiBues "ns l" pensAe e Pro1los/, Les Studes philosophi8ues 22, :9680' EE 319:94' /=" r"ison et le ivin !he? Pro!lus/, 'e*ue des sciences philosophi8ues et th;ologi8ues .3, -.8682' EE 319914' /=/i&"gin"tion, &iroir e l/z&e selon Pro!lus/, Le N;oplatonisme, P"ris, 2-168' EE 319824' L'Architecture du di*in3 Math;mati8ue et philosophie che. Plotin et Proclus, P"ris' )herniss, <' 3199:4' )f' Plut"r!h, "e procreatione animae' )o&bes, @', 0esterin1, =' ,' 3198:4' 7 ', tr"nsl', "amascius !rait; des premiers principes, P"ris' )o8, P' 319834' 5iography in Late Anti8uity3 A 6uest for the 7oly Man , Ber1eley' )r"pulli, ,' 319:94' Mathesis uni*ersalis3 Genesi di un'idea nel FVI secolo , $o&e' )u&ont, F' 319224' /*le8"n re /*bonoti!hus et le NAo6Pyth"goris&e/, 'e*ue de l'histoire des religions 8:, 202610' +el"tte, *' 3191.4' Studes sur la litt;rature pythagoricienne, P"ris' +es Pl"!es, 7' 319::4' Qam-li8ueA Les myst,res d' gypte, P"ris' EE 3198:4' Qam-li8ueA Protrepti8ue, P"ris' +eubner, =' 3193.4' /Be&er1ungen ?u& #e8t er (it" Pyth"gor"e es @"&bli!hos/, Sit.3 d3 #Pnig3 preuss3 A%ad3 d3 Diss3+ Philos39hist39%l3 , :12690, 82-6 9' +euse, 0' 319934' !heodoros *on Asine, 0iesb" en' EE 319834' Untersuchungen .ur mittelplatonischen und neuplatonischen Seelenlehre, 0iesb" en' +iels, <' 318994' "o&ographi graeci, Berlin' +illon, @' 5' 319:94' /* +"te for the +e"th of Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s">/, Classical 'e*ie) NS 1:, 29-6.'

EE 319934' Iam-lichi Chalcidensis in Platonis dialogos commentariorum fragmenta, =ei en' EE 3199:4' /I&"ge Sy&bol "n *n"logy2 #hree B"si! )on!epts of Neopl"toni! *llegori!"l 78egesis/, !he Significance of Neoplatonism, e ' $' B' <"rris, Norfol1 (*, 2-96:2' EE 319994' !he Middle Platonists, =on on' +o s, 7' $' 319:04' /#r" ition "n Person"l *!hieve&ent in the Philosophy of Plotinus/, Qournal of 'oman Studies .0, 169' +Jrrie, <' 319--4' /+er Pl"toni1er 7u orus von *le8"n rei"/, 7ermes 99, 2.638 C Platonica minora, 5uni!h 199:, 2996309' EE 319..4' /*&&onios, er =ehrer Plotins/, 7ermes 83, -39699 C Platonica minora 32-6-9' EE 319:34' /+er n"!h1l"ssis!he Pyth"goreis&us/, ' 2-, 2:8699'
en p'238

EE 31993a4' /Pl"tons $eisen ?u fernen (Jl1ern/, 'omanitas et Christianitas 3Fests!hrift @' <' 0"s?in14, e ' 0' en Boer et al3, *&ster "&, 996118' EE 31993-4' /=' D"lbenos #"uros/, #airos 1., 2-63. C Platonica minora, 310623' EE 3199:4' Von Platon .um Platonismus3 in 5ruch in der R-erlieferung und seine R-er)indung, %pl" en' +/%oge, 5' =', et al3 3192:4' Nicomachus of GerasaA Introduction to Arithmetic , Ne; Ior1' +uhe&, P' 3191-4' Le syst,me du monde, P"ris' +upuis, @' 318924' !h;on de Smyrne philosophe platonicien, P"ris, repr' Brussels 19::' 7bbesen, S' 319814' Commentators and Commentaries on Aristotle's Sophistici lenchi I, =ei en' 7e!1e, P' ver 319-84' Proclus de Lycie+ Les commentaires sur le premier li*re des l;ments d' uclide, Bruges' 7lter, *' 319104' /ju <iero1les e& Neupl"toni1er/, 'heinisches Museum :., 19.699' 7n res, ,' 319934' Proclus Ara-us, Beirut' 7rler, 5' 319984' Pro%los "iadochos3 R-er die &isten. des 5Psen , 5eisenhei&' EE 319804' Pro%los "iadochos3 R-er die Vorsehung+ das Schic%sal und den freien Dillen, 5eisenhei&' 7v"ns, ,' $' 319804' /Boethi"n "n 7u!li e"n *8io&"ti! 5etho in the #heology of the ="ter #;elfth )entury/, Archi*es internationales d'histoire des sciences, 30, 3:6.2' 7vr"r , 7' 319:04' /=e &"{tre e Plut"rBue /*thgnes et les origines u nAopl"tonis&e "thAnien/, L'Anti8uit; classi8ue 29, 108633, 3996-0:' F"r"ggi"n" i s"r?"n", )' 3198.4' Proclo I Manuali, 5il"n 3;ith long intro u!tion by ,' $e"le4' Festugigre, *' @' 319394' /Sur une nouvelle A ition u "e *ita Pythagorica e @"&bliBue/, 'e*ue des ;tudes grec8ues .0, -9069- C Studes de philosophie grec8ue, P"ris 1991, -396:1' EE 319.06-4' La ';*;lation d'7erm,s !rism;giste, P"ris'

EE 319:34' /5o es e !o&position es !o&&ent"ires e Pro!lus/, Museum 7el*eticum 20, 996100 C Studes de philosophie grec8ue, ..169-' EE 319::684' Proclus Commentaire sur le !im;e, P"ris' EE 319:94' /=/or re e le!ture es i"logues e Pl"ton "u8 (`(Ie sig!les/, Museum 7el*eticum 2:, 28169: C Studes de philosophie grec8ue, .3.6.0' EE 319904' ProclusA Commentaire sur la ';pu-li8ue, P"ris' Fin"&ore, @' 3198.4' Iam-lichus and the !heory of the Vehicle of the Soul , )hi!o )*' Fo; en, ,' 319824' /#he p"g"n holy &"n in l"te "ntiBue so!iety/, Qournal of 7ellenic Studies 102, 336.9' Frit?, D' von 319914' Grundpro-leme der Geschichte der anti%en Dissenschaft , Berlin'
en p'239

,"lperine, 5'6)' 319804' /=e te&ps intAgr"l selon +"&"s!ius/, Les Studes philosophi8ues, 3., 32.6-1' ,"utier, P' 319994' /5i!hel Psellos et l" $hAtoriBue e =ongin/, Prometheus 3, 1936203' ,el?er, #' 319::4' /+ie 7pigr"&&e es Neupl"toni1ers Pro1los/, Museum 7el*eticum 23, 163:' ,ersh, S' 319934' #IN7GIG A#IN7!OGA A Study of Spiritual Motion in the Philosophy of Proclus, =ei en' EE 319984' $rom Iam-lichus to riugena, =ei en' ,lu!1er, @' 319984' Antiochus and the Late Academy, ,Jttingen' ,r"eser, *' 319894' 7 ', Mathematics and Metaphysics in Aristotle, Bern' ,ron iGs, =' <' 319:04' /=/*&e, le Nous et les hAn" es "ns l" thAologie e Pro!lus/, Mededelingen der #on3 Nederlans%e A%ad3 *an Detenschappen , =etter1un e 23' 2, 296-2' <" ot, I' 319984' Le Pro-l,me du n;oplatonisme ale&andrin3 7i;rocl,s et Simplicius, P"ris' EE 319994' /Ist ie =ehre es <iero1les vo& +e&iurgen )hristli!h beeinflusst>/ #erygma und Logos 3Fests!hrift )' *n resen4, e ' *' $itter, ,Jttingen, 2.8691' EE 3198-4' Arts li-;rau& et philosophie dans la pens;e anti8ue , P"ris' EE 31989a4' /=es Intro u!tions "u8 !o&&ent"ires e8AgAtiBues !he? les "uteurs nAopl"toni!iens et les "uteurs !hrAtiens/, Les ',gles de l'interpr;tation, e ' 5' #"r ieu, P"ris, 996122' EE 31989-4' /=" (ie et l/yuvre e Si&pli!ius /"prgs es sour!es gre!Bues et "r"bes/, Simplicius3 Sa Vie+ son Vu*re+ sa sur*ie, e ' I' <" ot, Berlin, 3639' <" ot, P' 319:84' Porphyre et Victorinus, P"ris' EE 3199-4' /=/<"r&onie es philosophies e Plotin et /*ristote selon Porphyre "ns le !o&&ent"ire e +e8ippe sur les )"tAgories/, Plotino e il neoplatonismo in oriente e occidente, $o&e, 316-9' EE 319994' /=es ivisions es p"rties e l" philosophie "ns l/*ntiBuitA/, Museum 7el*eticum 3:, 201623' EE 319894' /#hAologie, e8Aggse, rAvAl"tion, A!riture, "ns l" philosophie gre!Bue/, Les ',gles de l'interpr;tation, e ' 5' #"r ieu, P"ris, 1363-' <hgg, #' 3199.4' Photios als Vermittler anti%er Literatur , Upps"l"'

<"r er, $' 3192:4' Ocellus Lucanus, Berlin' <"rt&"nn, N' 319094' "es Pro%lus "iadochus philosophische AnfangsgrEnde der Mathemati%, ,iessen, repr' Berlin 19:9 3tr"nsl' in Breton K19:9L4' <"th";"y, $' 319824' /#he *n"to&y of " Neopl"tonist 5et"physi!"l Proof/, !he Structure of 5eing, e ' $' B' <"rris, Norfol1 (*, 12263:' <e"th, #' 319214' A 7istory of Gree% Mathematics, %8for ' EE 319.:4' uclidA !he !hirteen 5oo%s of the lements , Ne; Ior1' <eiberg, @' =' 318824' Literargeschichtliche Studien E-er u%lid, =eip?ig'
en p'2-0

EE 3192.4' Geschichte der Mathemati% und Natur)issenschaften im Altertum , 5uni!h' <off&"nn, P' 319994' /Si&pli!ius2 )oroll"riu& e lo!o/, L'Astronomie dans l'anti8uit; classi8ue 3!olloBue #oulouseE=e 5ir"il 19994, P"ris, 1-36:1' EE 319804' /@"&bliBue e8Aggte u pyth"gori!ien *r!hyt"s2 trois origin"litAs /une o!trine u te&ps/, Les Studes philosophi8ues 3., 309623' <ults!h, F' 3190.4' /+o&ninos/, ' ., 1.216-' <unger, <' 319984' "ie 7ochsprachliche profane Literatur der 5y.antiner I, 5uni!h' <yl "hl, N' 319::4' Philosophie und Christentum, )openh"gen' I&b"!h, $' 319984' /=e 3NAo64 Pl"tonis&e &A iAv"l, Pro!lus l"tin et l/A!ole o&ini!"ine "lle&"n e/, 'e*ue de th;ologie et de philosophie 110, -296-8' @e"une"u, 7' 319:34' /5"thA&"tiBues et #rinitA !he? #hierry e )h"rtres/, Miscellanea medie*alia, e ' P' 0ilpert, 2, 28969.' Denny, *' 319984' !he Aristotelian thics, %8for ' Dern, %' 319224' Orphicorum fragmenta, Berlin' Dlein, @' 319:84' Gree% Mathematical !hought and the Origin of Alge-ra , tr"nsl' 7' Br"nn, )"&bri ge, 5"ss' Dobus!h, #' 3199:4' Studien .ur Philosophie des 7iero%les *on Ale&andrien , 5uni!h' DJhler, F' 0' 319834' 7iero%les #ommentar .um Pythagoreischen goldenen Gedicht 3tr"nsl'4, Stuttg"rt' Drh&er, <' @' 319:-4' "er Ursprung der Geistmetaphysi%, *&ster "&' Dre&er, D' 319:14' "er Metaphysi%-egriff in den Aristoteles9#ommentaren der Ammonius9Schule, 5rnster' Dri"r"s, 7' 319:84' /Psellos/, ' suppl' 11 112-682' Dust"s, ,' 319934' Studies in 5y.antine 'hetoric, #hess"loni1i' ="&berton, $' 3198:4' 7omer the !heologian, Ber1eley' ="rsen, B' +' 319924' Qam-li8ue de Chalcis3 &;g,te et philosophe , *"rhus' =ee&"ns, 7' *' 319394' Studie o*er den )i4sgeer Numenius *an Apamea , Brussels' 219' =e&erle, P' 319994' Cin8 ;tudes sur le FIe si,cle -y.antin, P"ris' =evin, F' 3199.4' !he 7armonics of Nicomachus and the Pythagorean !radition , University P"r1, P"' =e;y, <' 319.:4' Chaldaean Oracles and !heurgy, )"iroF ne; e n' P"ris 1998'

=ohr, )' 3198:4' /#he Pseu o6*ristoteli"n Li-er de causis "n ="tin #heories of S!ien!e in the #;elfth "n #hirteenth )enturies/, Pseudo9Aristotle in the Middle Ages, e ' @' Dr"ye et al3+ =on on, .36:2' =o;ry, @' 319804' !he Logical Principles of Proclus' GWXYZ[Y\GYG N[X]X<Y^_ as Systematic Ground of the Cosmos, *&ster "&' 5" ig"n, *' 3198:4' /Syri"nus "n *s!lepius on For&s "n Inter&e i"tes in Pl"to "n *ristotle/, Qournal of the 7istory of Philosophy 2-, 1-9691' 5"hn1e, +' 319394' Unendliche Sph(re und Allmittelpun%t3 5eitr(ge .ur Genealogie der mathematischen Mysti%, <"lle 3S""le4'
en p'2-1

5"nsfel , @' 319914' !he Pseudo97ippocratic !ract `a bcde cfg ch3 I9II and Gree% Philosophy, *ssen' 5"rg, 0' 319924' !imaeus LoerusA "e natura mundi et animae , =ei en' 5"si, 5' 319834' 5oethian Num-er !heory3 A !ranslation of the "e institutione arithmetica, *&ster "&' 5"sullo, $' 3198.4' Marino di NeapoliA Vita di Proclo, N"ples' 5A"utis, ,' 319224' 'echerches sur le pythagorisme, Neu!hztel' 5erl"n, P' 319:04' $rom Platonism to Neoplatonism, 2n e n', revise , #he <"gue' EE 319:.4, /jur j"hlenlehre i& Pl"tonis&us 3Neupl"tonis&us4 un i& Sefer He.ira', Qournal of the 7istory of Philosophy 3, 1:9681' 5e;"l t, @' 3190-4' "e Aristo&eni Pythagoricis Sententiis et Vita Pythagorica , iss' Berlin' 5eyer, <' 319:94' "as Corollarium de !empore des Simpli%ios und die Aporien des Aristoteles .ur =eit, 5eisenhei& "& ,l"n' 5oerbe1e, Proclus+ Commentaire sur le Parm;nide de Platon3 !raduction de Guillaume de Moer-e%e, I2 Li*res I : IV, e ' )' Steel, =ei enE=ouv"in 1982F II2 Li*res V : VII, =ei en 198.' 5ontoneri, =' 319934' Giam-licoA Vita pitagorica, $o&eEB"ri' 5or"u8, P' 3198.4' /Porphyre, !o&&ent"teur e l" Physi8ue /*ristote/, Aristotelica 35Al"nges 5' e )orte4, e ' *' 5otte, )' $utten, BrusselsE=igge, 229639' 5orro;, ,' $' 319904' Proclus3 A Commentary on the $irst 5oo% of uclid's lements 3tr"nsl'4, Prin!eton' EE, +illon, @' 319894' Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Parmenides 3tr"nsl'4, Prin!eton' 5ueller, I' 319904' /*ristotle on ,eo&etri!"l %bGe!ts/, Archi* fEr Geschichte der Philosophie .2, 1.:691' EE 3199-4' /,ree1 5"the&"ti!s "n ,ree1 =ogi!/, Ancient Logic and its Modern Interpretations, e ' @' )or!or"n, +or re!ht, 3.690' EE 31989a4' /I"&bli!hus "n Pro!lus/ 7u!li )o&&ent"ry/, 7ermes 11., 33-6 -8' EE 31989-4' /5"the&"ti!s "n Philosophy in Pro!lus/ )o&&ent"ry on Boo1 I of 7u!li /s lements', Proclus lecteur et interpr,te des anciens 3!olloBue intern"tion"l u )'N'$'S'4, e ' @' PApin, <'6+' S"ffrey, P"ris, 30.618'

N"u!1, *' 3188-4' Iam-lichi de Vita Pythagorica li-er, St' Petersburg, repr' *&ster "& 19:.' %/Brien, +' 319814' s /Pon us &eu& "&or &euss2 S"int *ugustin et @"&bliBue/, 'e*ue de l'7istoire des 'eligions 198, -2368' %/5e"r", +' @' 3199.4' Structures hi;rarchi8ues dans la pens;e de Plotin , =ei en' EE 3199:4' /Being in Nu&enius "n Plotinus/, Phronesis 21, 12069' EE 319814' /Ne; Fr"g&ents fro& I"&bli!hus/ Collection of Pythagorean "octrines', American Qournal of Philology 102, 2:6-0'
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EE 3198:4' /=e problg&e e l" &At"physiBue "ns l/"ntiBuitA t"r ive/, $rei-urger =eitschrift fEr Philosophie und !heologie , 33, 3622' EE 319884' /Pro!lus/ First Prologue to 7u!li 2 #he Proble& of its 5"Gor Sour!e/, Gonimos' Fests!hrift =' ,' 0esterin1, e ' @' +uffy, @' Per" otto, Buff"lo, N'I', -96.9' %/5e"r", @' 319.94' Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles in Augustine, P"ris' %/Neill, 0' 319:.4' ProclusA Alci-iades I 3tr"nsl'4, #he <"gue' %pper&"nn, <' 319294' $evie; of *nony&ous KI"&bli!hiL !heologoumena arithmeticae, e ' e F"l!o, Gnomon ., .-.6.8' Pistelli, 7' 318884' /+ei &"nos!ritti i ,i"&bli!o e i un" nuov" e i?ione el Protrepti!o/, Museo italiano di antichit: classica 2, -.9690' Pr"e!hter, D' 319034' $evie; of Syrianus In met3+ e ' Droll, GPtt3 Gelehr3 An.3 1:., .13630 C #leine Schriften, e ' <' +Jrrie, <il eshei& 1993, 2-:6:3' EE 319104' /$i!htungen un S!hulen i& Neupl"tonis&us/, Genethlia%on fEr C3 'o-ert, Berlin, 10.6.:, C #leine Schriften, 1:.621:' EE 319134' /<er&i"s/, ' 8, 9326.' EE 3192:4' /+"s S!hriftenver?ei!hnis es Neupl"toni1ers Syri"nos bei Sui "s/, 5y.antinische =eitschrift 2:, 2.36:- C #leine Schriften, 222633' EE 319324' /Syri"nos/, ' II, 8, 192869.' Pue!h, <'6)' 3193-4' /Nu&Anius /*p"&Ae et les thAologies orient"les "u se!on sig!le/, M;langes 5ide., Brussels, 9-.698' $en"ul , 7' 319204' Stude de la langue et du style de Michel Psellos , P"ris' $i!h"r , 5' 319.04' /|m} ~/, 5y.antion 22, 1916222 C Opera minora III, #urnhoutE=ouv"in 1999, No' :0' $ist, @' 5' 319:94' PlotinusA the 'oad to 'eality, )"&bri ge' $obbins, F' 7' 319204' /Posi onius "n the Sour!es of Pyth"gore"n *rith&ology/, Classical Philology 1., 309622' EE 319214' /#he #r" ition of ,ree1 *rith&ology/, Classical Philology 1:, 996123' $o!!"6Serr", ,' 319914' /=" lettre o 5"r!ell" e Porphyre et les Senten!es es Pyth"gori!iens/, Le N;oplatonisme, P"ris, 19369' $o&"no, F' 3198.4' Porfirio e la fisica aristotelica, )"t"ni"' $osHn, @' 319-94' !he Philosophy of Proclus, Ne; Ior1' $uelle, )' 7' 318834' /#e8te inA it e +o&ninus e ="riss" sur l/"rith&AtiBue/, 3;ith note by @' +u&ontier4 'e*ue de philologie 9, 8269-' S"ffrey, <' +' 319:94' /Une !olle!tion &A!onnue e /sy&boles/ Pyth"gori!iens/, 'e*ue des ;tudes grec8ues 80, 1986201'

EE 319:84' 'A< \ M !P7!O G M7h IG IG I!\' Une ins!ription lAgen "ire/, 'e*ue des ;tudes grec8ues 81, :9689' EE 319914' /*b"&on, pseu ony&e e @"&bliBue/, Philomathes 3Fests!hrift P' 5erl"n4, e ' $' P"l&er, $' <"&erton6Delly, #he <"gue, 229639' EE 3199.4' /*llusions "nti!hrAtiennes !he? Pro!lus le i" oBue pl"toni!ien/, 'e*ue des sciences philosophi8ues et th;ologi8ues .9, ..36:3'
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S"ffrey, <' +' 3199:4' /#hAologie et "nthropologie /"prgs BuelBues prAf"!es e Pro!lus/, Images of Man 3Fests!hrift ,' (erbe1e4, e ' F' Boissier et al3+ =ouv"in, 1996212' EE 3198-4' /=" #hAurgie !o&&e phAno&gne !ulturel !he? les nAopl"toni!iens 3I(eE(e siA!les4/, #OIN\NIA 8, 1:1691' EE 31989a4' /=" !h;ologie Platonicienne e Pro!lus et l/histoire u nAopl"tonis&e/, Proclus et son influence, e ' ,' Boss, ,' Seel, juri!h, 296--' EE 31989-4' /)o&&ent Syri"nus, le &"{tre e l/A!ole nAopl"toni!ienne /*thAnes, !onsi Ar"it6il *ristote>/, Aristoteles Der% und Dir%ung 3Fests!hrift P' 5or"u84, e ' @' 0iesner, BerlinENe; Ior1, 20.61-' S"&burs1y, S' 319:24' !he Physical Dorld of Late Anti8uity, =on on' EE 319:.4' /Pl"to, Pro!lus "n the =i&it"tions of S!ien!e/, Qournal of the 7istory of Philosophy 3, 1611' EE, Pines, S' 319914' !he Concept of !ime in Late Neoplatonism, @erus"le&' S!hJnberger, %' 3198-4' Iam-lichos' Aufruf .ur Philosophie, 0rr?burg' S!hri&pf, ,' 319::4' "ie A&iomenschrift des 5oethius >"e he-domadi-us? als philosophisches Lehr-uch des Mittelalters, =ei en' S!hult?e, 0' 319984' =ahl Proportion Analogie3 ine Untersuchung .ur Metaphysi% und Dissenschaftshaltung des Ni%olaus *on #ues , 5rnster' S!h;y?er, <'6$' 319984' $evie; of <iero!les, In Carm3+ e ' DJhler, Gnomon .0, 2.16:' EE 319834' Ammonius Sa%%as der Lehrer Plotins, $heinis!h60estf lis!he *1" ' er 0iss', ,eistes;iss' (ortrhge , 2:0' Segon s, *' 3198.6:4' 7 ', tr"nsl', Proclus sur le premier Alci-iade de Platon, P"ris' EE 319894' /Philosophie et "strono&ie !he? Pro!lus/, Proclus et son influence, 1.9699' Sh";, ,' 3198.4' /#heurgy2 $itu"ls of Unifi!"tion in the Neopl"tonis& of I"&bli!hus/, !raditio -1, 1628' Shepp"r , *' 319804' Studies on the ith and Ith ssays of Proclus' Commentary on the 'epu-lic, ,Jttingen' EE 319824' /5on" "n +y" "s )os&i! Prin!iples in Syri"nus/, Soul and the Structure of 5eing in Late Neoplatonism, e ' <' Blu&enth"l "n *' =loy , =iverpool, 161-' Si!herl, 5' 319:04' /5i!h"el Psellos un I"&bli!hus e &ysteriis/, 5y.antinische =eitschrift .3, 8619' S&ith, *' 3199-4' Porphyry's Place in the Neoplatonic !radition , #he <"gue' Solign"!, *' 319.84' /+o8ogr"phies et &"nuels "ns l" for&"tion philosophiBue e s"int *ugustin/, 'echerches augustiniennes 1, 1136-8'

Son eregger, 7' 319824' Simpli%iosA R-er die =eit, ,Jttingen' Sor"bGi, $' 319834' !ime Creation and the Continuum3 !heories in Anti8uity and the arly Middle Ages, =on on' EE 319894' 7 ', Philoponus and the 'e4ection of Aristotelian Science , =on on'
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St"ehle, D' 319314' "ie =ahlenmysti% -ei Philon *on Ale&andria , =eip?ig "n Berlin' Ste!1, 5', S!hJnberger, P' 319-.4' Pro%lus "iadochus #ommentar .um ersten 5uch *on u%lids O lementenO, <"lle 3S""le4' Steel, )' 319984' !he Changing Self3 A Study on the Soul in Later NeoplatonismA Iam-lichus+ "amascius and Priscianus, Brussels' EE 3198:4' /Pro!lus2 Filosofie en &ythologie/, !i4dschrift *oor filosofie -8, 1916 20:' EE 319894' /=/"n"gogie p"r les "pories/, Proclus et son influence, 101628' S?le?H1, #' 319924' Pseudo9Archytas E-er die #ategorien, Berlin' EE 319994' Platon und Aristoteles in der Nuslehre Plotins, B"sle "n Stuttg"rt' #"nnery, P' 3188-4' /+o&ninos e ="riss"/, M;moires scientifi8ues II, P"ris 1912, 10.619' EE 3188.a4' /Sur l/*rith&AtiBue Pyth"gori!ienne/, M;moires scientifi8ues II, 1996201' EE 3188.-4' /Notes !ritiBues sur +o&ninos/, 'e*ue de philologie 9, 128639' EE 318894' Pour l'histoire de la science hell,ne, e ' *' +igs, P"ris 1930' EE 3190:4' /=e &"nuel /intro u!tion "rith&AtiBue u philosophe +o&ninos e ="riss"/, M;moires scientifi8ues III, P"ris 191., 2..681' #"rHn, =' 319:94' Asclepius of !rallesA Commentary to Nicomachus' Introduction to Arithmetic, Phil" elphi"' EE 3199-4' /Ni!o&"!hus of ,er"s"/, "ictionary of Scientific 5iography 10, 1126 1-' EE 319814' Speusippus of Athens, =ei en' #"ylor, #' 3181:4' !he !heoretic Arithmetic of the Pythagoreans , =on on, repr' =os *ngeles 193-' #hesleff, <' 319:14' An Introduction to the Pythagorean Dritings of the 7ellenistic Period, bo' EE 319:.4' !he Pythagorean !e&ts of the 7ellenistic Period , bo' #rouill"r , @' 319.94' /=e sens es &A i"tions pro!lusiennes/, 'e*ue philosophi8ue de Lou*ain .., 3316-2' EE 319.94' /=" &on" ologie e Pro!lus/, 'e*ue philosophi8ue de Lou*ain .9, 309620' EE 319:.4' ProclusA l;ments de !h;ologie+ traduction+ introduction et notes , P"ris' EE 319924' L'Un et l'Bme selon Proclus, P"ris' EE 319834' /=" puiss"n!e se!rgte u no&bre selon Pro!lus/, 'e*ue de philosophie ancienne 2, 2296-1' (erbe1e, ,' 319814' /*ristotle/s 5et"physi!s vie;e by the *n!ient ,ree1 )o&&ent"tors/, Studies in Aristotle, e ' +'@' %/5e"r", 0"shington, 109629'

(in!ent, 5'6*' 319914' /Syri"nus et le PolitiBue /*ristote/, Le N;oplatonisme, P"ris, 21.62:' (ogel, )'@' e 319::4' Pythagoras and arly Pythagoreanism, *ssen' (ollen;ei er, S' 3198.4' Neuplatonische und christliche !heologie -ei Synesios *on #yrene, ,Jttingen'
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0"er en, B' v"n er 319994' "ie Pythagoreer, juri!h' EE 319804' /+ie ge&eins"&e tuelle er er1enntnistheoretis!hen *bh"n lungen von I"&bli!hos un Pro1los/, Sit.3 7eidel-3 A%ad3 d3 Diss3+ Phil'6hist' 1l' 12' 0"llis, $' #' 319924' Neoplatonism, =on on' 0"s?in1, @' <' 319:-4' Studien .um !imaios%ommentar des Calcidius I, =ei en' EE 319::4' /Porphyrios un Nu&enios/, Porphyre, ("n yuvresE,enev", 3.6 83' 0e berg, *' 319..4' Plato's Philosophy of Mathematics, Upps"l"' 0esterin1, =' ,' 319.94' /78?erpte "us Pro1los/ 7nne" en1o&&ent"r bei Psellos/, 5y.antinische =eitschrift .2, 1610 C 0esterin1, !e&ts and Studies in Neoplatonism and 5y.antine Literature, *&ster "& 1980, 21630' EE 319914' /+"&"s!ius, )o&&ent"teur e Pl"ton/, Le N;oplatonisme, P"ris, 2.36:0 C 0esterin1, !e&ts and Studies, 29168' EE 319894' /Pro!lus !o&&ent"teur es Vers d'orj/, Proclus et son influence, :16 98' 0hitt"1er, @' 319:94' /5oses *tti!i?ing/, Phoeni& 21, 19:6201' EE 3199-4' /P"risinus gr"e!us 19:2 "n the 0ritings of *lbinus/, Phoeni& 28, 3206.-' 0in en, @' )' 5' v"n 319914' An arly Christian Philosopher, =ei en' 0ols1"6)onus, 0' 319994' /=/A!ole e roit et l/enseigne&ent u roit o By?"n!e "u fIe sig!le2 fiphilin et Psellos/, !ra*au& et m;moires 9, 16109' ji&&er&"n, *' 319834' 7 ', Mensura3 Mass+ =ahl+ =ahlensym-oli% im Mittelalter 35is!ell"ne" 5e iev"li" 1:4, Berlin'
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