Damascius

Damascius was the last scholarch of the Neoplatonic Athenian school. He was one of the Neoplatonic philosophers who left Athens after laws confirmed by emperor Justinian I forced the closure of the Athenian school in c. AD 529. After he left Athens, he may have sought refuge in the court of the Persian King Chrosroes, before being allowed back into the Byzantine Empire.

Connection to Damascus

Born in Damascus as his name suggests; traveled to Alexandria and Athens to study; the last head of the Neoplatonic school in Athens.

Known for

Last scholarch of the Neoplatonic Athenian school; important Neoplatonic philosopher.