Philo Of Alexandria And The Timaeus Of Plato

Reproduction of the original.

Often considered obscure and repulsive by modern readers, Plato's Timaeus is presented along with a detailed and well-thought 215 page introduction and analysis, which discusses contemporary applications and interest in Timeaeus, insights on Plato as derived from the work, its profound impact on the ancient and medieval world, and long-standing issues with interpretation, among many other philosophical points of interest.

Timaeus Plato - The dialogue takes place the day after Socrates described his ideal state. In Plato's works such a discussion occurs in the Republic. Socrates feels that his description of the ideal state wasn't sufficient for the purposes of entertainment and that "I would be glad to hear some account of it engaging in transactions with other states" (19b).Hermocrates wishes to oblige Socrates and mentions that Critias knows just the account (20b) to do so. Critias proceeds to tell the story of Solon's journey to Egypt where he hears the story of Atlantis, and how Athens used to be an ideal state that subsequently waged war against Atlantis (25a). Critias believes that he is getting ahead of himself, and mentions that Timaeus will tell part of the account from the origin of the universe to man.

Twelve academic essays, given during the Institute of Classical Studies research seminar in 2000 and 2001, examine Plato's vision of the `real world' as he presented it in Timaeus while considering the text's influence on classical philosophers and scientists. Specific subjects include astronomy, the reactions of Aristotle and others to Timaeus, Hellenistic musicology, Proclus' Commentary, comparisons with Aristotle's Physics and mythology.

A collection of papers designed as a companion volume to the author's monograph "Philo in Early Christian Literature: A Survey" (1993). The papers deal with various aspects of how Philo's writings and thought were received at the hands of the Church Fathers.