Proklos of Laodikeia (Syria), “Prokle ̄ios” (150 – 480 CE)
Son of Themiso ̄n and hierophant, according to the Souda Pi-2472. He wrote a com-
mentary on N, some geo ̄metrika, and other works, all lost, save one citation by
D, In Philebum 19.
PLRE 1 (1971) 742.
PTK
Proklos of Lukia, diadokhos (ca 430 – 485 CE)
Life: Proklos’ life is amply recorded in the edifying encomium by his student M
N, composed the year after his mentor’s death (Vita Procli = VP), and in
D’ Vita Isidori. Born in Constantinople in 412 to a Lukian noble family, Proklos
began his studies with a grammatikos in Lukian Xanthos and continued them in
Alexandria. His father Patricius, a high-ranking advocate, had practiced in the capital and
wanted his son to learn Roman Law. Proklos also began studying rhetoric under the Sophist
Leo ̄nas, whom Proklos accompanied on an embassy to Constantinople (VP 8 – 9). Returning
to Alexandria, Proklos studied philosophy (especially A’s) and mathematics under
H (M). Ca 430, Proklos went to Athens to study with P A
and S, the latter connected with Athenian Sophists, especially Lakhare ̄s and his
student Nikolaos who welcomed Proklos on his arrival (VP 10 – 11). Among his fellow stu-
dents were D L and Hermeias. After Syrianus died, ca 437, Proklos
became his “successor” (diadokhos), and, for the rest of his life, lived and taught in Athens,
except during one year when Christian threats forced him into exile in Lydia (VP 15).
Several of his students would become influential in government and/or philosophy, includ-
ing A A and his brother H, Marinos and Isido ̄ros of
Alexandria (who successively succeeded Proklos). His students also included high-ranking
notables of the late empire, many of them Christians (see Saffrey and Westerink, edd.,
Theologie Platonicienne: Proclus I.–). Proklos himself was an influential political figure,
extending patronage to many contemporaries (VP 16 – 17). He was also a devoted pagan
who scrupulously observed traditional rites (VP 18 – 19).
Nature of his scientific works and activities: Marinos describes Proklos as a hard
worker, devoting time to courses, lectures and discussions which he subsequently recorded in
commentaries (VP 22). Some of his extant works greatly influenced philosophy, theology,
and science. Of particular significance are his commentaries on P’s Timaeus (IT) and
Republic (IR), on E’s first book of the Elements (IE), his Outline of astronomical hypotheses
(or Hupotuposis), and his Elements of Physics.
Proklos’ written works derive from a method of reading and discussion that could be
qualified as mystagogical, eclectic, conciliatory, and agonistic. (a) Mystagogical: Proklos remained
faithful to Syrianus’ idea that preparatory readings (like the study of Aristotle) should
lead one to Plato’s mystagogy (VP 13), i.e., to the idea that Plato’s dialogues (especially
Timaeus and Parmenides) were designed to lead their readers to higher hypostases. Proklos
thus considered it his duty to imitate Plato by providing his own “guidance” into Neo-
Platonist metaphysics, e.g., a teaching both inspired and inspiring. In particular, he
considered reading Euclid, Plato’s Timaeus or P as steps along the same path. In
general, he considered commentary in itself as a kind of religious performance, akin to
prayer and theurgy. (b) Eclectic, since Proklos chose from among his extensive literary
PROKLOS OF LAODIKEIA (SYRIA), “PROKLE ̄IOS”