Greek Philosophy and Philosophers in the Third–Sixth Century ce

This chapter discusses those Greek philosophers who, between the third and the sixth century ce, described themselves – or were described by other sources – as 'Platonists' (platonikoi). The geographical overview provides an idea of the triumph of Platonism over three centuries. Platonism – with its texts, rules, problems, etc. – constitutes the shared heritage of the intellectual elites of this extended period. A shared dwelling place is instead an element common to the teaching careers of Plotinus, Iamblichus and the Athenian philosophers. Albinus' Prologue bears witness to the existence of a well-defined curriculum of Platonic studies as early as the second century ce. The establishment of this curriculum was a way of changing the order in which students were to read Plato's dialogues to suit their qualifications. The definition of a reading plan is instead clearly recorded in relation to Iamblichus.