Iamblichus

Iamblichus, a Syrian philosopher of the Neoplatonic school, lived around the late 3rd and early 4th centuries CE. He was a student of Porphyry and a follower of Plotinus, though he diverged on certain points, particularly concerning theurgy. Born in Chalcis, he later established his own school in Apamea and developed a comprehensive curriculum for studying classical philosophy, with Pythagoras as his ultimate authority.

His philosophical system integrated Pythagorean numerology and interpreted Neoplatonic ideas through a more mythical lens, influenced by Eastern traditions. Unlike Plotinus, Iamblichus reasserted the soul's connection to the material world, viewing matter as divine. He elaborated on cosmology and theology, positing a complex hierarchy of divine beings, including gods, angels, and demons, emanating from a supreme Monad. His work influenced later philosophical and theological developments, including Gnosticism and Christian thought.

Iamblichus advanced Neoplatonism by systematically applying Pythagorean number symbolism and integrating mythical interpretations of concepts, drawing from various Eastern philosophical systems. He revised Plotinus' formal divisions of the intellect, distinguishing between the intelligible and intellective spheres, and potentially introducing a mediating realm. A key departure from Plotinus was his affirmation of the soul's embodiment within matter, which he considered a divine aspect of the cosmos. He also differed with his teacher Porphyry regarding the practice of theurgy.

Central to Iamblichus' theology was the Monad, from which emanated the Nous (intellect) and the psyche (soul). He expanded the divine hierarchy significantly, populating his cosmos with numerous divine entities such as gods, angels, and heroes, organized according to mathematical principles. These beings ranged from twelve primary heavenly gods, which could multiply to 36 or 360, to other divine orders. His divine realm extended from the ultimate Monad down to material nature, where souls could become embodied. He believed these celestial beings influenced earthly events and could be accessed through prayer and offerings. Iamblichus also posited that numbers held an independent existence between the finite and infinite, and that fate governed nature, while divine entities were beyond its influence.

Born in Chalcis, Syria, Iamblichus was of Emesene dynastic descent. He studied under Anatolius of Laodicea and Porphyry before establishing his own influential school in Apamea around 304 CE. He developed a structured curriculum for studying Plato and Aristotle, on whom he wrote commentaries that survive only in fragments. His primary reverence was for Pythagoras, whose doctrines he compiled in a ten-volume work, of which only parts remain. Iamblichus was recognized for his extensive knowledge, generosity, and asceticism, attracting numerous students. He is believed to have died before 333 CE.