Online Lecture on «From Athens to Alexandria: Reconsidering the Prehistory of Neoplatonism» by Georgia Tsouni
Within the framework of the Research Project “Between Athens & Alexandria. Platonism, 3rd-7th c. CE” (2022-2024) supported by the A. S. Onassis Foundation, the IMS-FORTH, in collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Center for Hellenistic Studies (ACHS), organizes a monthly online lecture series on late antique Neoplatonism (3rd-7th c. CE).
The series hosts invited talks in English or French by leading scholars in the field. Lectures take place via Zoom at 7pm Athens & Alexandria. Prior registration is required.
The topic of the 2022 talks is “Alexandrian and Athenian Neoplatonism”, with a special focus on Plotinus (204/5-270) as well as on later Neoplatonic developments on, and criticisms to, Plotinus.
All welcome!
Οn Thursday Dec. 15, at 19:00 (Athens time) Assistant Professor Georgia Tsouni (University of Crete) will give a lecture on «From Athens to Alexandria: Reconsidering the Prehistory of Neoplatonism».
Abstract
The period between the first century BCE and First century CE continues being one of the most obscure periods in the history of Platonism. There is no doubt, however, that some of the most important developments in the reading of Platonic texts (foremost, the beginning of a “dogmatic” reading of Plato) took place during that era. In my talk, I will attempt to discuss the beginnings of the “dogmatic” reading of Plato, customarily associated with Antiochus’ movement of the “Old Academy” in Athens, parallel with developments in Alexandria in the late first century BCE and beginning of first century CE, represented by figures like Eudorus and Arius Didymus. Through the tracing of similarities and differences between the approaches of these figures, the question as to whether Alexandrian scholars signified a “new beginning” in the history of Platonism during this time will be re-examined.
You can register in advance to our seminar meetings using the following LINK.