Iamblichus

Syrian Arab Neoplatonist philosopher and mystic who shaped later Neoplatonism.

Chronology: 245 – 325

Origins & Early Life

Iamblichus ( eye-AM-blik-əs; Ancient Greek: Ἰάμβλιχος, romanized: Iámblichos; Aramaic: 𐡉𐡌𐡋𐡊𐡅, romanized: Yamlīkū; c. 245 – c. 325) was a Syrian Arab Neoplatonic philosopher who determined a direction later taken by Neoplatonism. Iamblichus was also the biographer of the Greek mystic, philosopher, and mathematician Pythagoras.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In addition to his philosophical contributions, his Protrepticus is important for the study of the sophists because it preserved about ten pages of an otherwise unknown sophist, whose name is not mentioned and who is currently known as "Anonymus Iamblichi" ("Iamblichus's Anonymous"). == Life == According to the Suda and Iamblichus's biographer, Eunapius, Iamblichus was born in Chalcis (later called Qinnašrīn) in Coele Syria, now in northwest Syria. Iamblichus was descended from the Emesene dynasty. He initially studied under Anatolius of Laodicea and later studied under Porphyry, a pupil of Plotinus (the founder of Neoplatonism). Iamblichus disagreed with Porphyry about theurgy, reportedly responding to Porphyry's criticism of the practice in On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He returned to Coele Syria around 304 to found a school in...

Source: Wikipedia