ABSTRACT
Plotinus was born in 205, but there is almost no information about his origins or his early life. His nationality, race, and family are unknown, and information about his birthplace comes from a fourth century source which may not be reliable. Plotinus told his disciples little about himself; he would not even divulge the date of his birth. Only one thing can certainly be said: Plotinus’ education and intellectual background were entirely Greek. This fact can be deduced from his writings; Plotinus shows little knowledge of Egyptian religion and misinterprets Egyptian hieroglyphic symbolism. Porphyry, Plotinus’ pupil and biographer, reports that Plotinus had a complete knowledge of geometry, arithmetic, mechanics, optics, and music, and he must have acquired some of this knowledge during the early years of his education.
