The Fragments of Numenius of Apamea

Numenius of Apamea was, according to John Dillon, the “most fascinating figure in second-century philosophy” and an important forerunner of what is commonly known as neoplatonism – so much so that at one point Plotinus was accused of merely appropriating Numenius’ ideas. Unfortunately none of his works survive intact, so his full influence upon the development of Platonism must remain largely a matter of conjecture. Here, for the first time in a scholarly English edition are the extant fragements of Numenius presented with a detailed commentary. The text followed here is that established by Des Places in his Budé edition. The translation includes all fragments, but the commentary deals only with those fragments which are directly related to Numenius’ own philosophy.