CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2024
| Author | Milekovic, Ivan |
|---|---|
| Title | The Philosophers in the City: Spaces of Academy in Stone and Text |
| Summary | This thesis explores the relationship between fifth-century Athenian Neoplatonists and the cityscape. Utilizing both textual and material evidence, it examines the construction and reception of physical, conceived, and imagined spaces within the context of the Neoplatonic Academy. This study challenges the prevailing scholarly consensus that the Neoplatonic Academy was confined to the household boundaries due to the secretive and secluded nature of the institution. By employing a spatial reading of two fifth-century Athenian Neoplatonic hagiographies and contextualizing them with material evidence, the thesis posits that the depicted spaces are constructions combining contemporary materiality with an idealization of classical Athens. Special attention is given to the house, described in the Life of Proclus written by Marinus of Neapolis. Contrary to the view of archaeologists, this thesis contends that the topographical reference to the house is not an accurate depiction but rather a symbolic placement correlating to multiple aspects of the hagiographical character of Proclus. By contextualizing these sources within the educational landscape and topography of Roman and late antique Athens, the thesis aims to reconstruct the lived spaces of the Neoplatonists. Furthermore, by exploring the architectural development of the early fifth century and comparing it with evidence from the eastern Mediterranean world, notably Kom el-Dikka, the thesis identifies two potential buildings with educational functions during this period: the Palace of the Giants in the Athenian Agora and the Library of Hadrian, along with the tetraconch built within. Understanding the spatial correspondence of these two buildings and the contemporary renovation by prefect Herculius between 408-410, the thesis argues that they formed a new urban area, centered around educational buildings which were most likely utilized by the Neoplatonic Academy |
| Supervisor | Gereby, Gyorgy; Menze, Volker. |
| Department | Medieval Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2024/milekovic_ivan.pdf |
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