Download or read book Hierocles of Alexandria written by Hermann S. Schibli and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2002-06-13 with total page 438 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first comprehensive work in English on the fifth-century Neoplatonic philosopher Hierocles. It contains a survey of his life, writings, and pagan and Christian surroundings, and examines the major tenets of his thought under the rubrics of contemplative philosophy, practical philosophy (civil and telestic), and providence. Schibli situates Hierocles in the mainstream of Neoplatonism from Plotinus to Damascius. Particularly helpful is the inclusion of a modern English translation of Hierocles' Commentary on the Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans and of the remnants of his treatise On Providence. The translations are fully annotated throughout.