Jeremy Swist on the Emperor Julian, Part I: the Political Background and Political Project of the Emperor

Republic, Laws, and Timaeus

In this profound synthesis of 'Republic,' 'Laws,' and 'Timaeus,' Plato bridges the gap between the earthly and the divine. He argues that virtue is not merely a behavior, but a liberation of the soul achieved through alignment with the celestial sphere and the internalizing of 'common conceptions.'

Twenty-four Dialogues of Plato

Vat.gr.1

In this provocative text, Plato subverts the traditional Western emphasis on human agency by defining man as a 'divine plaything,' suggesting that our greatest dignity lies in our role as puppets of the gods. Rather than finding meaning in the grim struggle of war or history, the author argues for a

Pal.gr.173

Pal.gr.173 functions as a practical manual for the soul. It moves beyond abstract theory to confront the actual stakes of living well in an unjust world. You will encounter a Socratic method that values clear thinking over popularity and moral integrity over political safety. The text forces a confr

On Paradoxical Machines

In 'On Paradoxical Machines,' Anthemius of Tralles offers a rare synthesis of high Euclidean theory and the practical grit of Byzantine engineering. As one of the master architects of Constantinople, Anthemius argues that the most profound challenges of the physical world—from the construction of bu

Urb.gr.31

Plato presents a brutal inquiry into the nature of justice and the health of the human soul. He argues that justice is not a social compromise but a requirement for inner harmony. You will discover why political leadership requires a rare, philosophical rigor that society almost always rejects. The

Plato . Platon . Platonis Dialogi

This collection captures the urgent, living spirit of Socratic inquiry at its most potent. Plato argues that we must abandon the distractions of the physical realm to grasp eternal truths. He warns that writing creates a dangerous illusion of wisdom by substituting memorized facts for internal under

Diversorum scriptorum Opera varia . Diaphoron syngrapheon Erga diaphora . Titulum corrige Platonis Opera omnia cum prolegomenis

Plato’s work functions as a complete framework for human conduct and cosmic understanding. He moves beyond simple dialogue to categorize the structure of reality, linking music, numbers, and political virtue to the divine. Each page challenges the reader to distinguish between fleeting sensory opini

Cologny, Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cod. Bodmer 136

In this legendary account of Socrates’ final day, Plato (narrated through Phaedo) investigates the profound relationship between the soul, the divine, and the morality of existence. The text presents a startlingly calm Socrates who argues that humans are the 'possessions of the gods,' framing life a

Plato De legibus . Platonos Nomoi . Ac praeterea alii eiusdem [Platonis] Dialogi tum gnesioi, tum nothoi, Definitiones, et epistolae

This work represents the peak of Plato's political thought, moving beyond abstract theories of justice to the mechanics of statecraft. He argues that laws are empty without the internal habits of virtue that only education can provide. Plato forces the reader to confront the reality that excess and

The Divine Institutes (Divinarum Institutionum)

In this seminal work, Lactantius—the advisor to Constantine I—presents a radical argument: the supernatural endurance of martyrs is the ultimate proof of the Christian God, far outstripping the legendary bravery of Roman heroes like Mucius and Regulus. By contrasting the empty rhetoric of secular ph

Plato, Cratylus and Secular Florilegium

This work presents an unflinching look at the architecture of a well-lived life. It asserts that true virtue is not an action but a deliberate choice to align the soul with divine reason. By dismantling the common obsession with physical gratification, the text demands that we prioritize the health

The Complete Works of Plato Translated by Marsilio Ficino

This collection serves as a portal to the mind of Plato as seen through the eyes of one of the 15th century's most influential thinkers. Ficino treats philosophy not as a sterile academic exercise but as a medicine for the soul. He constructs an argument for the harmony between pagan wisdom and Chri

Works: The Divine Institutes; On the Wrath of God; On the Workmanship of God; The Phoenix

Lactantius wrote this work to dismantle the pagan world and replace it with a rational, Christian order. He argues that human philosophy is a broken vessel, useless without the revelation of the one true God. His prose turns the sharp tools of classical rhetoric against the very gods those same rhet

Ecclesiastical History

Preparation for the Gospel

The Complete Works of Plato

This monumental edition of Plato’s *Opera Omnia* is more than a translation; it is a sacred bridge between Greek antiquity and Renaissance humanism, curated by Marsilio Ficino to harmonize philosophy with divine religion. Within these pages, readers will find the 'divine' Plato—a thinker who argues

The Complete Extant Works of Emperor Julian

Julian the Apostate’s Complete Extant Works offers a rare, firsthand glimpse into the mind of a ruler who attempted to turn back the clock of history. This collection captures the high-stakes struggle between dying Hellenism and nascent Christianity, framed by Julian’s unique blend of ascetic self-d

The Complete Works of the Divine Plato

This 1590 edition of Plato’s 'Complete Works' serves as a spiritual and intellectual map of the human condition, viewed through the transformative Neoplatonic lens of Marsilio Ficino. Synthesizing classical dialectic with religious piety, the text argues that the ultimate end of man is to achieve a

Ecclesiastical History

Eusebius’s 'Ecclesiastical History' stands as the foundational record of the Christian faith, bridging the gap between the Apostolic age and the year 400. This 1613 edition positions history not merely as a record of the past, but as a vital necessity for the preservation of divine truth against the

Plato Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Phaedrus

Plato documents the final days of his teacher, Socrates, as he confronts a city that wants him dead. The text moves from the courtroom to the prison cell, eventually shifting into deep metaphysical inquiry. It argues that philosophy is nothing less than the practice of dying. By rejecting passive wr

Ecclesiastical History

This work stands as the primary source for understanding how a persecuted sect became the state religion of Rome. It details the struggle between theological orthodoxy and imperial politics during the Arian controversy. Eusebius documents the lives of martyrs, the succession of bishops, and the tran

Complete Plato (Thomas Taylor trans.)

Thomas Taylor’s 'Complete Plato' is a monumental achievement that offers more than a mere translation; it provides the 'key' to the Platonic system through the profound insights of ancient Neoplatonic commentators. Taylor argues that philosophy is a divine discipline designed to lead the soul away f

Works of Plato

Plato’s 'The Laws' represents a monumental shift in the philosopher's journey, moving from the idealism of his youth toward a rigorous, practical exploration of legislation and social order. Translated by George Burges in 1880, this edition provides a meticulous 'literal version' that preserves the

Complete Works (Opera Omnia)

Samuel Brandt and Georg Laubmann perform a rigorous autopsy on the editorial history of Lactantius. They move beyond mere translation to examine the mechanics of textual corruption, genealogy, and the flawed legacy of early printed editions. The editors argue that the quality of a text depends on th

The Republic

Most people act justly only because they fear the consequences of getting caught. Plato guts this assumption by creating a theoretical city where justice is defined not by laws, but by the internal harmony of the individual soul. He argues that political stability requires rulers who hate power and

Works of Plato (Republic, Timaeus, Critias)

Plato, the architect of Western philosophy, invites readers into a series of intellectual battles that remain startlingly modern. In these pages, he dismantles the cynical view that 'might makes right' and proposes a revolutionary vision of an ideal state where gender is no barrier to leadership and

Church History (Historia Ecclesiastica)

Eusebius of Caesarea’s 'Church History' is far more than a simple chronicle; it is a monumental work of historiography that provides the primary scaffolding for our understanding of early Christianity. In this definitive GCS edition, readers encounter a sophisticated blend of textual criticism, regn

Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Vol. 1 (Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine)

This volume is essential for anyone interested in the foundational years of Christian history. It pairs the classic Ecclesiastical History with the Life of Constantine, offering both a chronicle of the faith and a study of its most powerful royal patron. The editors evaluate Eusebius not just as a h

Theodosian Code, Volume 1

This volume serves as the official blueprint for governing late antiquity. Theodosius II recognized that a sprawling empire could not survive without a unified, accessible legal framework. He mandated that public law must always override individual favors or secret imperial commands. The text reveal

Theodosian Code, Volume 2

Theodosian Code, Volume 2 shifts focus from the finished laws to the fragile physical records that preserved them. It exposes the tension between the rigorous intentions of imperial legislators and the often careless work of the scribes who copied their edicts. By evaluating manuscripts from Paris t

Plato: Laches, Protagoras, Meno, Euthydemus

Plato’s dialogues remain the standard for critical thinking because they force the reader to defend their own assumptions. This collection captures Socrates at his most agile, moving from the definition of courage to the nature of knowledge itself. You will see him challenge the Sophists, whose reli

Works (Laws, Definitions)

The Symposium of Plato

This edition by R. G. Bury frames the Symposium as a battle between ornamental rhetoric and the raw, questioning logic of Socrates. The dialogue challenges the idea that love is merely a divine gift or a physical urge. Instead, it presents love as a mediator, a hunger for what we lack, and a tool fo

Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 3 (Against the Galileans)

This volume is a primary source of unparalleled psychological and historical depth, capturing the final, defiant stand of classical polytheism against the Christianization of the Roman Empire. Through his letters and the famous treatise 'Against the Galileans,' Emperor Julian presents a sophisticate

Plato: Statesman and Philebus

Plato does not merely lecture; he forces his readers to think alongside his characters. In these texts, he argues that the best kind of power is not found in static codes but in the flexible, living intelligence of the expert. He dismantles the idea that pleasure or intellect alone can anchor a huma

Plato: Laws, Vol. 2 (Books 7-12)

Plato’s 'Laws' represents the philosopher's most mature and practical reflection on governance, shifting from the idealism of 'The Republic' to a concrete legal framework. This second volume, encompassing Books 7 through 12, serves as a masterclass in jurisprudence, exploring the foundational pillar