Plotinus



A native to Egypt but possible descendant of Roman origins, the Neo-Platonist philosopher Plotinus was born in the year 205. He went to Alexandrian around 232 so he could devot himself to philosophy. Ten years later, in order to study the philosophies of India and Persia, he traveled in the Eastern expedition of the Roman emperor Gordian III. Two years later until his death in 270, he lived in Rome, where he started a school. Many people followed his advice and his example, giving their wealth to the poor and turning to contemplative thought. One of his students, Porphyry, wrote a biography of him and arranged his writings, which were written after the year 253, into six groups of nine treatises (Enneads).