Numenius

Numenius of Apamea was a prominent Greek philosopher who lived and worked in Rome during the latter half of the 2nd century AD. He is recognized as a significant figure in Neopythagoreanism and a crucial precursor to Neoplatonism. Numenius's philosophical project aimed to restore what he believed to be the pristine teachings of Plato, tracing them back to Pythagoras. He sought to demonstrate the harmony between Platonic doctrines and the wisdom found in various ancient traditions, including those of the Brahmins, Jews, Magi, and Egyptians. He criticized the skepticism that had infiltrated Platonism, particularly through the influence of Arcesilaus and Carneades. Numenius's philosophical system distinguished between a "first god" and a "demiurge," a concept that resonated with later Alexandrian Jewish philosophers like Philo. His major works, such as 'On the Good,' explored the nature of existence, identifying it with the incorporeal and immutable 'good' and associating it with spirit (nous). He posited a second divine principle responsible for creation, acting as an intermediary between the first god and the material world. Numenius's ideas about the 'Attic Moses' and his references to figures like Jesus highlight his interest in bridging Greek philosophy with other religious and cultural traditions. His writings, preserved through the works of later scholars like Eusebius, significantly influenced the development of Neoplatonism, with figures like Amelius composing commentaries on his work.