Porphyry, Iamblichus and Proclus: Late Platonism

After Plotinus, Neoplatonism developed in several directions. Porphyry (c. 234–c. 305 CE) edited the Enneads and wrote the Isagoge, a short introduction to Aristotle's logic that became a standard textbook for over a thousand years, and he argued that Plato and Aristotle were fundamentally in harmony. He also wrote a work against Christianity, later ordered burned by Christian emperors. Iamblichus (c. 245–c.

325 CE) of Syria emphasized theurgy, religious rituals believed to help the soul unite with the divine, giving Neoplatonism a stronger religious character. Proclus (412–485 CE), head of the Platonic school in Athens, produced the most systematic version of Neoplatonism, notably in the Elements of Theology. These thinkers defended traditional Greek religion and philosophy as Christianity spread, yet their ideas deeply influenced Christian, Jewish and Islamic theology.

Late Platonism shows philosophy and religion becoming closely intertwined in late antiquity.