Maximus of Ephesus
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Maximus of Ephesus (d. 372) was a 4th century pagan Greek Neoplatonist. He was a friend and mentor of Emperor Julian and his collaborator in the restoration of paganism.
Maximus was a native of Ephesus, or Smyrna.[1] He was a philosopher of the Neoplatonist school, and perhaps the most important of the followers of Iamblichus.
He is said to have been of a rich and noble family, and exercised great influence over the emperor Julian, who was commended to him by Aedesius. He pandered to the emperor's love of magic and theurgy, and by judicious administration of the omens won a high position at court. His overbearing manner made him numerous enemies, and, after being imprisoned on the death of Julian, he was put to death by Valens.
He is a representative of the least attractive side of Neoplatonism. Attaching no value to logical proof and argument, he enlarged on the wonders and mysteries of nature, and maintained his position by the working of miracles. In logic he is reported to have agreed with Eusebius, Iamblichus and Porphyry in asserting the validity of the second and third figures of the syllogism.
In the novel Julian by Gore Vidal, Maximus is one of the main characters; he is portrayed as a charlatan whose counsel is chiefly responsible for Julian's death.
[edit] Notes
- ^ In the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica, he is listed under Maximus of Smyrna.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
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