CLAS / PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 25. The Pagan Holy Man

I. Platonic Cosmology

Neoplatonic Foundations: Plotinus (205-70) Enneads

-All modes of beng = overflow from "The One"

-Levels of being: One >> World Mind >> World Soul >> Nature >>Matter

-Spiritualizes philosophy: philosopher = holy man

II. Neoplatonist Philosophers in Late Antiquity

A. Personal Holiness: not what they do but who they are

Closed Circle: succession of inspired philosophers (golden chain)

B. Iamblichus (240-326)

Holy Man / Miracle Worker

Theurgy (divine working / work of gods): "sacramental action and use of sacred words to help purify the soul and raise it to union with god"

C. Asia Minor:

Aedesius in Pergamum: pupils spread Iamblichan theurgy

Maximus: teacher of Julian; Julian's court 361-3

D. The School of Athens: late to Neoplatonism (c. 400)

Proclus (412-85): Hierophant (chief priest) of whole world

F. The School of Alexandria

Hypatia (370-415): leading intellectal; civic leader; murdered by Bp. Cyril

III. The Social Role of the Pagan Holy Man

A. Social Importance

Exclusivity = relative safety

-Highly educated, aristocratic, urban elites

-Unlike Xian Holy Man: inherited v. achieved status; no asceticism but ritual

B. Political Importance

-Power = trouble: Hypatia; Sopater; Maximus

-Closing of the Platonic Academy 529

IV. Lasting Effects

A. Culture: New Academy in Constantinople; Art

B. Theology:

-Church Fathers (Origen; Cappadocians; Augustine)

-Salvation