History of Ammonius Saccas

	Revision 5 . . December 3, 2001 1:03 am by MichaelTinkler [recasting the 1911 text to separate the Christian philosopher from the neo-platonist]
	Revision 4 . . (edit) December 2, 2001 12:58 am by (logged).153.24.xxx [emphasis]
	Revision 3 . . December 1, 2001 10:27 pm by MichaelTinkler [linking to Eusebius of Caesarea - thanks Alan Millar!]
	Revision 2 . . August 26, 2001 1:07 pm by Simon J Kissane

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Ammonius Saccas (3rd century A.D.) was a Greek philosopher of Alexandria, often called the founder of the neo-Platonic school. Of humble origin, he appears to have earned a livelihood as a porter; hence his nickname of "Sack-bearer" (Sakkas, for sakkoforos). The details of his life are unknown, insomuch that he has frequently been confused with a Christian philosopher of the same name. Eusebius (Church History, vi. 19), who is followed by Jerome, asserts that he was born a Christian, remained faithful to Christianity throughout his life, and even produced two works called The Harmony of Moses and Jesus and the Diatessaron, or Harmony of the Four Gospels. Porphyry?, quoted by Eusebius (vi. 19. 6), however, says that he apostatized in later life and left no writings behind him. There seems no reason, therefore, to doubt that Eusebius is here referring to the Christian philosopher. After long study and meditation, Ammonius opened a school of philosophy in Alexandria. His principal pupils were Herennius, the two Origens, Cassius Longinus and Plotinus?. As he designedly wrote nothing, and, with the aid of his pupils, kept his views secret, after the manner of the Pythagoreans?, his philosophy must be inferred mainly from the writings of

Ammonius Saccas (3rd century A.D.) was a Greek philosopher of Alexandria, often called the founder of the neo-Platonic school. Of humble origin, he appears to have earned a livelihood as a porter; hence his nickname of "Sack-bearer" (Sakkas, for sakkoforos). The details of his life are unknown. After long study and meditation, Ammonius opened a school of philosophy in Alexandria. His principal pupils were Herennius, the two Origens, Cassius Longinus and Plotinus?. As he designedly wrote nothing, and, with the aid of his pupils, kept his views secret, after the manner of the Pythagoreans?, his philosophy must be inferred mainly from the writings of

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The details of the life of the philosopher Ammonius Saccas are so unclear that he has frequently been confused with a Christian philosopher of the same name. Eusebius (Church History, vi. 19), who is followed by Jerome, asserts that he was born a Christian, remained faithful to Christianity throughout his life, and even produced two works called The Harmony of Moses and Jesus and the Diatessaron, or Harmony of the Four Gospels. Porphyry?, quoted by Eusebius (vi. 19. 6), however, says that he apostatized in later life and left no writings behind him. There seems no reason, therefore, to doubt that Eusebius is here referring to the Christian philosopher.

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Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed