The platonic milieu of dionysius the pseudo-areopagite
Abstract
The Platonic milieu is the most significant of the possible milieus that can be
attributed to the Proto-Hesychast Dionysius the Pseudo-Areopagite. The present
article hypothesizes that Dionysius’ master Hierotheus was Isidore of Alexandria, a
disciple of the Neoplatonist Proclus, and posits that Dionysius’ locale was Egyptian
rather than Syrian. Certain aspects of Proclus’ influence on him are also taken into
account, namely his discussion of evil, his imagery of the statues, his system of
henads, and his subscription to theurgy. Dionysius’ understanding of theurgy was,
however, opposed to that of Proclus’ ultimate mentor Porphyry for whom theurgy
and virtue were mutually exclusive paths. His description of the vision of Carpos
tends to underscore this.
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