Plotinos

   The great philosopher of Neoplatonism (q.v.), born in Egypt (q.v.) in 205. His essays, which were arranged by his pupil Porphyry (q.v.) into groups of nines (the Enneads), and Porphyry's Life of Plotinos, exerted an enormous impact on subsequent philosophy, especially the study of Plato, theology (qq.v.), even art. For Plotinos, the reality of the universe consists of a hierarchical ascendancy, toward the One (the Good, Divine Intellect, God), upward through the stages of Body (the lowest stage), Soul, and Mind. Thus, the ascendant reality of the cosmos is mirrored in the microcosm of each individual, in whom is embedded the desire to be united with the One. An individual's ascent begins with a recognition of this innate desire, and is accomplished through contemplation. Maximos of Ephesus and Proklos (qq.v.) identified contemplation with theurgy, i.e., a magic (q.v.) that relied on rites and prayers to invoke the aid of the gods. Plotinos was still read with great interest by later Byzantine intellectuals, including Michael Psellos, Theodore Metochites, and Plethon (qq.v.). Except for works of Aristotle (q.v.), Plotinos's works form the most intact body of philosophy preserved from antiquity.