Hierocles of Alexandria (Greek:Ἱεροκλῆς ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς) was aGreekNeoplatonist writer who was active around AD 430.
He studied underPlutarch (the Neoplatonist) atAthens in the early 5th century, and taught for some years in his native city.[1] He seems to have been banished fromAlexandria and to have taken up his abode inConstantinople, where he gave an offence in the court.Damascius relates as follows:
"he went to Byzantium and there knocked against those in power. Taken to court, he was beaten by the blows of men. Covered in blood, he soaked the palm of his hand and sprinkled the judge, saying:Cyclops, come, drink some wine since you have eaten human flesh.[2]"
By quoting theOdyssey (9.347), Herocles was mocking the Christianeucharist. His discipleAeneas, a member of theRhetorical School of Gaza, later combined neoplatonic thought with his Christian beliefs.[3]
The only complete work of his which has been preserved is the commentary on theChrysa Epe (Golden Verses) of Pythagoras.[1] It enjoyed a great reputation in theMiddle Ages and theRenaissance, and there are numerous translations in various European languages.[1] Several other writings, especially one on providence and fate, a consolatory treatise dedicated to his patronOlympiodorus of Thebes, are quoted or referred to byPhotius andStobaeus.[1] Hierocles argued against astrological fatalism on the basis that it is supported by an irrational necessity rather than a divine, rationalProvidence of God.[4] For the same reason, he opposed theurgic and magic practices as they were attempts to supersede the divine providential order.[4]
Although he never mentionsChristianity in his surviving works, his writings have been taken as an attempt at reconciliation between Greek religion traditions and the Christian beliefs he may have encountered in Constantinople.[5]
The collection of some 260 witticisms attributed to Hierocles and Philagrius, thePhilogelos, has no connection with Hierocles of Alexandria, but is probably a compilation of later date, founded on two older collections.[1] It is now agreed that the fragments of the Elements of Ethics preserved inStobaeus are from a work by aStoic namedHierocles, contemporary ofEpictetus, who has been identified with the "Hierocles Stoicus vir sanctus et gravis" inAulus Gellius (ix. 5. 8).[1] This theory is confirmed by the discovery of apapyrus (ed. H. von Arnim in Berliner Klassikertexte, Iv. 1906.)[1]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hierocles of Alexandria".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 453–454. Mozley, J. R. (1911)."Hierocles of Alexandria, a philosopher" . InWace, Henry; Piercy, William C. (eds.).Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century (3rd ed.). London: John Murray.