Italian: Scuola di Atene The School of Athens

The scene depicts a gathering of ancient thinkers, with the central figure in red (3) traditionally identified as the Neoplatonist Plotinus. To his right, Zoroaster (4) and Ptolemy (5) are shown holding celestial and terrestrial globes to represent the study of the cosmos and the earth. The artist Raphael (6) includes himself at the far right, looking directly at the viewer.

This grouping illustrates the Renaissance synthesis of Neoplatonism and natural philosophy, framing the study of the macrocosm and microcosm as a path to divine understanding. The inclusion of Zoroaster reflects the 'Prisca Theologia' tradition, which sought a unified ancient wisdom across different cultures.