INTRODUCTION

The Alexandrians were somewhat less enthusiastic than the Athenians in constructing elaborate spiritual classifications (such as "henads" In Proclus' philosophy, divine units or distinct realities beyond existence. or "triads"). Furthermore, the admiration of Proclus’ students and their successors did not entail an uncritical preservation of his doctrines. Proclus’ interpretation of the Parmenides—the cornerstone of his theology—was abandoned in Athens by Marinus in favor of another attributed to the physician-philosopher Galen, and at best toned down in Alexandria under Ammonius, whose theology seems to have been constructed to align better with Christian tastes. It was also more Aristotelian; in general, Ammonius seems to have concentrated on interpreting Aristotle rather than Plato.

Ammonius, Olympiodorus’ own teacher, was likely born between 445 and 435 and died between 517 (when Philoponus made available his Physics lectures) and 526 (since Damascius speaks of him as deceased). Like many Greek philosophers, he preferred oral discourse and left behind primarily his students, their work, and their records of his work as testimony to his achievement. Ammonius’ lectures have been preserved to varying degrees by his students: Philoponus (in his earlier works) and Asclepius preserve the general thrust of some of his Aristotelian lectures, while Damascius and Olympiodorus frequently refer to him. Ammonius is likely responsible for steering the Alexandrians toward a less highly structured theology than that of the Athenian School. Whether this resulted from an independent desire to harmonize the teachings of Plato and Aristotle or a more pragmatic need to adapt philosophy to be more acceptable to Christian tastes remains a subject of dispute.