The present article focuses on three exemplary deaths in Late Antiquity: Plotinus (see Porphyry, Vita Plotini, 2);; the Emperor Julian (see Ammianus Marcelli-ˇ nus, XXV, 3, 22-ˇ23);; Augustine (see Possidius, Vita Augustini, 28 and 31). It is argued that the three reports point to different philosophical and cultural backgrounds. Ploti-ˇ nus’ and Julian’s deaths mirror Socrates’ example recorded in Plato’s Phaedo. Their analogies notwithstanding, some interesting differences emerge. Plotinus is a sage who has attained a complete knowledge of reality through the conjunction of his embodied mind to his higher and purely intellectual self. Julian dies as philosopher-ˇking who is fully aware that his earthly performance has commended his soul to the heavenly sphe-ˇ re of the stars. Augustine dies as a Christian Saint who is tragically aware of his infir-ˇ mity vis-ˇà-ˇvis God.

Chiaradonna, R. (2023). Tre morti esemplari alla fine del mondo antico: Plotino, Giuliano, Agostino. RIVISTA DI STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA, 2023(1), 25-39 [10.3280/SF2023-001003].

Tre morti esemplari alla fine del mondo antico: Plotino, Giuliano, Agostino

CHIARADONNA
2023-01-01

Abstract

The present article focuses on three exemplary deaths in Late Antiquity: Plotinus (see Porphyry, Vita Plotini, 2);; the Emperor Julian (see Ammianus Marcelli-ˇ nus, XXV, 3, 22-ˇ23);; Augustine (see Possidius, Vita Augustini, 28 and 31). It is argued that the three reports point to different philosophical and cultural backgrounds. Ploti-ˇ nus’ and Julian’s deaths mirror Socrates’ example recorded in Plato’s Phaedo. Their analogies notwithstanding, some interesting differences emerge. Plotinus is a sage who has attained a complete knowledge of reality through the conjunction of his embodied mind to his higher and purely intellectual self. Julian dies as philosopher-ˇking who is fully aware that his earthly performance has commended his soul to the heavenly sphe-ˇ re of the stars. Augustine dies as a Christian Saint who is tragically aware of his infir-ˇ mity vis-ˇà-ˇvis God.
2023
Chiaradonna, R. (2023). Tre morti esemplari alla fine del mondo antico: Plotino, Giuliano, Agostino. RIVISTA DI STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA, 2023(1), 25-39 [10.3280/SF2023-001003].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/435507
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