Project G01: Platonism and Christianity in late antiquity – Porphyryʼs interpretation, defense and re-ordering of pagan cultic practice: A threat to the Christian order?

Abstract

Project G01 studies the religious-philosophical writings of the Platonist Porphyrios and the politician Sossianos Hierocles. These writings were directed against the threat posed (in the authors’ eyes) by contemporary Christians. The goal is to analyze the strategies recommended therein for maintaining and reviving the old pagan order, both as a way of life and as a religion. These re-ordering strategies are, however, only known to us through the reception accorded them by the authors’ Christian adversaries (Eusebios, Augustine), whose Christian-motivated re-ordering strategies found inter al. an outlet in literary reflection.