The life of Proclus, or, Concerning happiness: Being the biographical account of an ancient Greek philosopher who was innately loved by the gods

Review\nProdus poses a problem. This biography by his student and successor as head of the Academy established by Plato at Athens gives a charming portrait of a professional academic and his career in the fifth century C.E. Here is Proclus teaching five classes a day (including night school), knocking off 700 lines of prose daily, taking an enforced sabbatical to study the religions of Asia Minor, dabbling in politics, touchy about his reputation but otherwise a dynamic teacher. On the other hand, Proclus apparently convinced himself that the gods, especially Athena, had appeared to him and intervened directly in his life. And while working out in excruciating, scholarly, and occasionally original detail in emanationist doctrine of idealism, he was also composing hymns of yearning for the One, which he identified with God. John Michell's introduction thunders ineffectually against the decline of philosophy, but provides useful background on Thomas Taylor (17581835), who translated much of Proclus, including indifferent renditions of five hymns offered here. This reprint of Kenneth Guthrie's 1925 translation appeared on the 1500th anniversary of the publication of Marinus' original. An abbreviated bibliography suggests the flavor and range of Proclus' work, which exceeded the combined output of Plato and Aristotle and influenced Eastern and Western thought for a millenium. Sic transit. --
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