John Dillon on Middle Platonism

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

Plutarchi Vitae . Ploutarchou Bioi

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 Histories of Herodotus and Works of Plutarch and Gemistus Plethon

The authors examine why civilizations collapse and how leaders lose their grip on reality. By juxtaposing Herodotus's accounts of imperial hubris with the metaphysical arguments of Plethon and Plutarch, the text bridges the gap between ancient storytelling and systematic philosophy. You will encount

Parallel Lives

Bodleian Library MS. Barocci 226 offers a profound exploration of leadership, civic identity, and the transition from tyranny to democracy. Plutarch navigates the 'Growing Argument' through the legendary Ship of Theseus while providing a harrowing account of the Roman Republic's earliest days—where

Quaestiones Convivales (Moralia 46 = Plan. 78) (defective at the end and with lacunae) (Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.2.39)

This text invites you to pull up a chair at a table populated by the greatest minds of antiquity. Plutarch bridges the gap between the trivial and the cosmic, arguing that how we dine, drink, and converse reflects our deepest moral character. He treats the symposium not as a place for simple revelry

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

Book of Biblical Antiquities (Pseudo-Philo)

This 1527 edition preserved by Adam Petri offers a rare perspective on the ancient world. It argues that human history is a cyclical struggle between divine order and mortal corruption. The text blends genealogical record keeping with sharp philosophical inquiry into the soul and the nature of the c

First Complete Latin Philo

This volume presents the definitive 1554 Basel edition of Philo’s work, translating his Greek insights into the Latin language for a new audience. Philo treats the stories of Genesis as allegorical maps for the structure of the human soul and the nature of the universe. He argues that man stands as

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

Exegetical Works on the Books of Moses

This collection transforms the Books of Moses from mere historical records into a roadmap for intellectual and moral liberation. Philo argues that scriptural narratives are not just stories, but symbols for the internal war between sensory desire and divine reason. He claims that true human excellen

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

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

Philonos tou Ioudaiou ta Heuriskomena Hapanta / Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 1)

Philonos tou Ioudaiou ta Heuriskomena Hapanta / Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 2)

On Isis and Osiris

In this treatise, Plutarch rescues Egyptian theology from the twin errors of superstition and skepticism. He argues that myths about dismemberment and divine struggle are not accounts of ancient kings, but symbolic representations of moral and metaphysical forces. By mapping these stories onto the b

The sentiments of Philo Judeus

In this provocative theological study, Jacob Bryant argues that Philo of Alexandria was not merely a precursor to Christian thought, but a direct beneficiary of Apostolic teaching. Bryant examines Philo’s sophisticated descriptions of the Logos—labeled as the 'First-begotten Son' and 'High Priest'—a

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

Complete Works of Philo Judaeus, Vol. 1

This edition brings together the foundational works of a thinker who viewed the physical world as a mere shadow of an intelligible, divine reality. Philo argues that Moses and the Greek philosophers shared a single source of truth accessible through allegory. He transforms the Genesis narrative into

Complete Works of Philo Judaeus, Vol. 2

This second volume tracks the soul's movement from the chaos of bodily passions to the stillness of divine wisdom. Philo rejects literalism, choosing instead to see biblical narratives as allegories for the human condition. He argues that true power lies not in the world but in the disciplined mind.

Complete Works of Philo Judaeus (Vol. 4)

This fourth volume provides a direct route into the mind of a thinker who viewed the lives of biblical figures as psychological maps. Philo argues that laws are not merely external commands but internal realities that align the human soul with the cosmos. He dismisses the transient noise of politics

Complete Works of Philo Judaeus (Vol. 5)

This volume presents a rigorous analysis of how divine law governs human life. Philo argues that true virtue requires mastering the passions rather than following external rituals. He treats the Decalogue as a blueprint for the soul, asserting that ethics and politics must align with the nature of G

Complete Works of Philo Judaeus (Vol. 6)

This volume presents Philo's sharp defense of an indestructible, orderly universe against the chaotic cosmologies of the Stoics and Epicureans. Beyond physics, it provides a gritty, firsthand witness to the political corruption of Alexandria under Governor Flaccus and the megalomania of Emperor Gaiu

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

Plutarch's Morals, Vol. 4 (includes Isis and Osiris)

In this compelling volume of 'Morals,' Plutarch investigates the enigmatic mechanics of the 'spirit of divination,' arguing that prophecy is as much a physical phenomenon as it is a divine one. By examining the transformative power of natural vapors and the 'dry' temperament of the soul, he suggests

Plutarch's Morals, Vol. 5

This volume provides a fascinating window into Plutarch’s dual mastery of political ethics and natural philosophy. Plutarch moves beyond mere biography to offer bold claims about the physical world—arguing that cold is an active force rather than a mere absence of heat, and critiquing the Stoic visi

The Dialogues of Plato (Jowett Translation)

This monumental work brings together the brilliance of Plato and the rigorous scholarship of B. Jowett, the Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford. By presenting Plato’s theories alongside comprehensive analyses and introductions, Jowett provides a bridge between the Classical Athenian Academy and mode

On Numenius the Platonic Philosopher

Friedrich Thedinga’s dissertation reconstructs the thought of Numenius, a philosopher who dared to label Plato as Moses speaking in Attic Greek. The text critiques the historical corruption of the Platonic Academy and establishes a rigorous hierarchy of three distinct gods. Readers will encounter a

Timaeus (Greek text with commentary)

R.D. Archer-Hind’s edition of the Timaeus offers a radical reinterpretation of Plato’s later philosophy, arguing that this dialogue represents the culmination of Platonic metaphysics where the dualism of mind and matter is finally resolved. By identifying Being with a Universal Mind, the text presen

Timaeus

This text argues that the physical world is not an independent reality but a symbolic refraction of a universal soul. It solves the ancient deadlock between Herakleitos, who saw only constant change, and Parmenides, who saw only immutable stillness. By reconciling these opposites through the concept

On the Creation of the World (De opificio mundi)

This volume reconstructs Philo’s classic treatise on the origin of the world by tracing its survival through ancient manuscripts. Cohn systematically strips away centuries of interpolation and incompetence to recover the author’s original voice. He argues that Philo synthesized Platonic, Stoic, and

Phaedo

The Phaedo captures the final conversation of a man facing his own execution with absolute calm. Socrates argues that the philosopher spends their entire life preparing for death because the body acts as a prison for the truth. He maintains that true knowledge belongs only to the soul, which must ev

Parallel Lives

The Parallel Lives strips away the polished marble of history to reveal the raw, often contradictory, motives of ancient legends. Plutarch acts as both biographer and moralist, using his subjects as mirrors to test the virtues of justice, ambition, and restraint. He forces readers to grapple with 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

Philo About the Contemplative Life (De Vita Contemplativa)

This edition rescues a primary document of ancient philosophy from the shadow of long-standing historical error. Conybeare challenges the claim that Philo’s description of the Therapeutae is a Christian fabrication. By meticulously comparing Greek, Armenian, and Latin manuscripts, he proves the text

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

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)

Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Phaedrus

This collection captures the final days of history's most famous provocateur. Socrates turns his own trial into a masterclass on how to live and die with integrity. He dismantles the hollow arguments of his accusers and shows that true wisdom starts with the admission of ignorance. The text forces y

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

Surviving Works of Philo of Alexandria (Vol. 7 - Indices)

The Indices to the Surviving Works of Philo serve as the gateway to his vast allegorical project. Hans Leisegang organizes the raw material of Philo's intellectual world, mapping the intersection of Stoic ethics, Platonic metaphysics, and biblical narrative. By cataloging the vocabulary of virtue, t