Syrianus

Syrianus of Alexandria was a Neoplatonist philosopher active mainly in Athens between the late 4th and early 5th century, C.E. He was the second head of the Neoplatonic Academy of Athens, one of the two chief philosophical schools in the Mediterranean landscape of the 5th–6th century, C.E., along with that of Alexandria. Among several other works now for the most part unfortunately lost, Syrianus authored a commentary on books Beta (III), Gamma (IV), Mu (XIII) and Nu (XIV) of Aristotle’s Metaphysics, one of the very few extant ancient commentaries on this work. An influential teacher of philosophy and rhetoric, Syrianus established on several philosophical issues the standard view of late ancient Athenian Platonism. His teachings were built upon, expanded and systematized by Proclus (412–485), his most distinguished pupil and successor as leader of the Academy. Especially through Proclus, they exerted a major influence on later philosophy.