Reading list for philosophy

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1 Introduction to Philosophy
2 Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
3 Introduction to Ancient Logic
4 History of Philosophy (General)
5 History of Ancient Philosophy
6 Pre-Socratic Italian Schools
- 6.1 Pythagoreanism
- 6.2 The School of Elea: Parmenides
7 Socratic Schools
- 7.1 Academic Philosophy (Platonist Schools following Socrates and Plato, including Middle Platonism and Neo-Platonism)
- 7.2 Cynicism (another Socratic school independent of Academic Philosophy)
8 Peripatetic (Aristotle and Aristotelian Philosophy)
9 Stoicism
10 Epicureanism
11 Pagan Philosophers On Christianity
12 Romano-Byzantine Philosophy (n.b. the Eastern Roman Empire did not fall until C.E. 1453.)

Introduction to Philosophy

Philosophy 101 by Socrates: An Introduction to Philosophy Via Plato's Apology

Peter Kreeft. (2002). Ignatius Press. ISBN 0898709253
A delightful introduction to philosophy that has been popular with college students required to take an Introduction to Philosophy course and were pleasantly surprised with this text. In addition, it is an introduction to philosophy via classic Platonic dialogues and Socrates. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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LEISURE THE BASIS OF CULTURE

Josef Pieper. (1999). Liberty Fund, Inc. (reprint). ISBN 90865972109
This book is on the spirit of the liberal arts, including philosophy, in ancient and medieval culture. It argues that leisure, properly understood as the ancients understood it, is the basis of culture and that culture is the cultivation of the virtues of the human spirit. In the second part of this book, philosophy is covered. It is shown in the ancient view to be a quest of the human spirit, animated by Eros, that arises out of wonder (thaumazein) and develops into contemplation (theoria, a word related to thaumazein in the Greek). Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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In Defense of Philosophy

Josef Pieper. (1992). Ignatius Press. ISBN 0898703972
This book builds on the book by Pieper above. Here it shows that the ancient philosophical quest was a spiritually transformative quest that involved the whole person but also involved the use, cultivation, and perfection of the logical and reasoning powers as well as Eros as the animating spirit of the philosophical quest. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Philosophy: An Introduction to the Art of Wondering

James L. Christian. (2008). Wadsworth. ISBN 0495505048
A fun introduction to philosophy as an intellectual adventure in terms of our common human questions about "the big picture". Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Apology for Wonder

Sam Keen. (various). Harper.
This book is an unusual introduction to philosophy by examining and contrasting ancient with modern views of the world. Do we look upon the world with wonder and as sacred or do we see it as raw material for our growing technological power over it? This book nicely supplements the Pieper book on Leisure above. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus

Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

What Is Ancient Philosophy?

Pierre Hadot. (2004). Harvard Belknap Press. ISBN 978-0674013735
Pierre Hadot, an internationally prominent French historian of ancient philosophy, describes the history of ancient philosophy as a way of life similar to eastern spiritual disciplines or western monastic orders. This book continues the themes of his Philosophy as a Way of Life. Hadot is Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the College de France. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Retrieving the Ancients: An Introduction to Greek Philosophy

David Roochnik. (2004). Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 1405108622
Widely reviewed as one of the best introductions to ancient philosophy and its continued importance. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Roman Philosophers

Mark Morford. (2002). Routledge. ISBN 0415188520
The most accessible single volume introductory survey on specifically Roman philosophy. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Being a Man: The Roman Virtus As a Contribution to Moral Philosophy (European Studies in the History of Science and Ideas)

Juhani Sarsila. (2006). Peter Lang Publishing. ISBN 0820498947 ISSN 978-0820498942
This is a philosophical study of the Roman view of manliness, virtus, as a virtue. As a contribution to the our understanding of ancient Roman moral concepts and ideals, the book proceeds to a broader perspective of how the Roman concept of virtus as a virtue fitted in with the other cardinal virtues esteemed in the ancient world. Contributed by Gnaeus Equitius Marinus
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Roman Manliness: "Virtus" and the Roman Republic

Myles McDonnell. (2006). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521827884 ISSN 978-0521827881
Myles McDonnell shows how Roman manliness was expressed and displayed by contest in the religion, culture, and politics of the late Republic. Contributed by Gnaeus Equitius Marinus
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Introduction to Ancient Logic

Socratic Logic 3e: A Logic Text Using Socratic Method, Platonic Questions, and Aristotelian Principles

Peter Kreeft. (2008). St. Augustine Press. ISBN 1587318059
This is one of two good introductions in training one how to reason in ancient logic. Modern logic books deal with logic from the standpoint of boolean logic. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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An Introduction To Traditional Logic: Classical Reasoning For Contemporary Minds

Scott Sullivan. (2005). BookSurge. ISBN 1419616714
This is the other good introduction to ancient logic that also shows how it is the logic natural to how the human mind works. It includes a great introduction to ancient theories of the mind and cognition as part of its discussion of logic. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy (General)

History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome, Volume One

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 0385468431
This volume and the eight volumes after it comprise what is widely regarded as the best history of philosophy in English. It was originally written for Catholic seminary students but has been elevated to a much higher status of acclaim in academia. Copleston is at Oxford. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Medieval Philosophy, Volume Two

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 038546844X
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Late Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, Volume Three

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 0385468458
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, From Descartes to Leibnitz, Volume Four

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 038547041X
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, The British Philosophers From Hobbes to Hume, Volume Five

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 0385470428
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, From the French Enlightenment to Kant, Volume Six

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 0385470436
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, From the Post-Kantian Idealists to Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, Volume Seven

Frederick Copleston. (1993). Image. ISBN 0385470444
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, Empiricism, Idealism And Pragmatism in Britain and America, Volume Eight

Frederick Copleston. (1994). Image. ISBN 0385470452
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Philosophy: Modern Philosophy, From the French Revolution to Sartre, Camus, and Levi Strauss, Volume Nine

Frederick Copleston. (1994). Image. ISBN 0385470460
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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History of Ancient Philosophy

Ancient Philosophy: A New History of Western Philosophy

Sir Anthony Kenny. (2007). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198752725
This highly acclaimed history of ancient philosophy is unique in that it has two main sections. The first section is a history of the different schools of ancient philosophy. The second section puts them into a dialogue, as it were, in terms of key themes and issues in the philosophical conversation. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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From the Origins to Socrates: A History of Ancient Philosophy (SUNY Series in Philosophy), Volume One.

Giovanni Reale. (1986). SUNY. ISBN 978-0887062902
One of the standard multi-volume histories of ancient philosophy. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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A History of Ancient Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle (SUNY Series in Philosophy), Volume Two

Giovanni Reale. (1990). SUNY. ISBN 978-0791405178
Volume Two of the series mentioned above. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Systems of the Hellenistic Age: History of Ancient Philosophy (SUNY Series in Philosophy), Volume Three

Giovanni Reale. (1985). SUNY. ISBN 978-0887060083
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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A History of Ancient Philosophy: The Schools of the Imperial Age (SUNY Series in Philosophy), Volume Four

Giovanni Reale. (1990). SUNY. ISBN 978-0791401293
The final volume in Reale's four volume history of ancient philosophy. This mult-volume history incorporates a lot of new research. Giovanni Reale is Professor and Chair of History of Ancient Philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan, italy. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Pre-Socratic Italian Schools

Pythagoreanism

The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library: An Anthology of Ancient Writings Which Relate to Pythagoras and Pythagorean Philosophy

Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie. (1987). Weiser. ISBN 0933999518
This is a useful one volume compilation of all the original source material that would require searching in multiple classical sources - some very obscure and hard to find. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, and Influence

Christoph Riedweg. (2008). Cornell University Press. ISBN 0801474523
Outstanding book in the history of the Pythagorean school. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism

Walter Burkert. (1972). Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674539184
One of the indispensible studies of ancient Pythagorean philosophy and science. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans: A Brief History

Charles H. Kahn. (2000). hackett Publishing. ISBN 0872205754
A very accurate and clear survey of the history of the Pythagorean tradition. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Manual of Harmonics of Nicomachus the Pythagorean

Flora Levin. (1998). Phanes Press. ISBN 0933999437
This is the only complete English translation of the Pythagorean philosopher and engineer, Nicomachus of Gerasa. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Diogenes Laertius: Lives of Eminent Philosophers,

Diogenes Laertius, R.D. Hicks trans.. (1925). Loeb Classical Library. ISBN 0674992032

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The Pythagorean golden verses : with introduction and commentary

Hierocles,Johan Carl Thom. (1995). Brill. ISBN 9004101055

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On the Pythagorean way of life

Iamblichus,John Dillon,Jackson Hershbell eds.. (1991). Scholars Press. ISBN 1555405223

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Ancient philosophy, mystery, and magic : Empedocles and Pythagorean tradition

Peter Kingsley. (1995). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198149883

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The School of Elea: Parmenides

In the Dark Places of Wisdom

Peter Kingsley. (2008). The Golden Sufi Center Publishing. ISBN 189035001X
After his widely acclaimed book on Ancient Philosophy, Empedocles and Pythagoras, where he argued that ancient philosophy was something more like a spiritual path resembling ancient shamanism or yoga, Kingsley moved on to argue in this book that the school of Parmenides was also such a tradition. It was also a medical tradition that survived in the Islamic world and influenced Sufism. Unlike his first book, this one is geared towards a general readership with all academic devices confined to the back. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Reality

Peter Kingsley. (2008). The Golden Sufi Center Publishing. ISBN 1890350087
A continuation of In the Dark Places of Wisdom, Kingsley (while having impeccable academic credentials and has won many academic honors) almost becomes an ancient philosophy "reconstructionist" in attempting to revive it as a living spiritual path. This book is widely reviewed and highly acclaimed by such as Huston Smith (expert on world religions), Sayyid Hossein Nasr (expert on Islamic Philosophy and Sufism), Jacob Needleman (philosopher), and David Appelbaum (philosopher and editor of Parabola Magazine). Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Socratic Schools

The Religion of Socrates

Mark L. McPherran. (1999). Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 0271018291
A careful study of Socrates' religious views and commitments as the perspective to understand his criticisms of traditional Greek paganism. Outstanding! Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Reason and Religion in Socratic Philosophy

Nicholas D. Smith (Editor), Paul Woodruff (Editor). (2000). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195133226
An outstanding follow up to Socrates's Religion. This volume elevates the level of argument and analysis as well as breaks new ground. It is also widely acclaimed for adding much to our understanding of Greek paganism in the process. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Foundations of Socratic Ethics

Alfonso Gomez-Lobo. (1994). Hackett Publishing Co.. ISBN 0872201740
Professor Gomez-Lobo, a philosopher at Georgetown, develops a carefully researched argument that there is a clear moral vision behind Socrates' apparent skepticism and "not knowing". Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Academic Philosophy (Platonist Schools following Socrates and Plato, including Middle Platonism and Neo-Platonism)

Plato Complete Works

Plato, John M. Cooper (Editor), D. S. Hutchinson (Editor). (1997). Hackett Publishing Company. ISBN 0872203492
This is a new and COMPLETE translation of the dialogues of Plato with the latest scholarly research incorporated both into the translation and notes. I emphasize complete because this volume includes the Minos, Epinomis, Demodocus, Eryxias, and Axiochus which are often left out because some consider them to be not authentic. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Plato's Ethics

Terence Irwin. (1997). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195086457
This work is now considered the best and most important work on Plato's ethical philosophy. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Being and Logos

John Sallis. (1996). Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253210712
Philosophy is about seeing with the mind's eye. This book studies the dialogues of Plato from that perspective. The dialogues allusively suggest and point beyond themselves to evoke and awaken that inner vision. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Cambridge Companion to Plato (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy)

Richard Kraut (Editor). (1992). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521436109
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Cynicism (another Socratic school independent of Academic Philosophy)

Cynics (Ancient Philosophies)

William Desmond. (2008). University of California Press. ISBN 0520258614
One of the new outstanding introdcutions to Cynic philosophy as a religious and socially radical continuation of Socrates's legacy. It clearly explains how ancient cycnicism meant something radically different that the meaning that the term "cynicism" has today. One might describe Cynicism as almost a Socratic Stoicism that incorporated a social activism in contrast to Stoicism. Some New Testament scholars believe there is sufficient evidence to infer that the apocalyptic prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, was trained or influenced in Cynic philosophy in the Cynic school at Gedara which was six kilometers from Nazareth. Their main philosophical and socially activist rhetorical "weapon" was the parable. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Cynics: The Cynic Movement in Antiquity and Its Legacy (Hellenistic Culture and Society, 23)

R. Bracht Branham (Editor), Marie-Odile Goulet-Cazé (Editor). (2000). University of California Press. ISBN 0520216458
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Diogenes The Cynic: The War Against The World

Luis E. Navia. (2005). Humanity Books. ISBN 1591023203
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Peripatetic (Aristotle and Aristotelian Philosophy)

Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1.

Aristotle, J. Barnes (Editor). (1971). Princeton University Press. ISBN 069101650X
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 2.

Aristotle, J. Barnes (Editor). (1984). Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691016518
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy)

J. Barnes (Editor). (1995). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521422949
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Aristotle's First Principles (Clarendon Aristotle Series)

Terence Irwin. (1990). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198242905
The most systematic and comprehensive work on Aristotle's metaphysics and epistemology introducting a new standard of analytical and argumentative rigor. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Stoicism

Stoicism (Ancient Philosophies)

John Sellars. (2006). University of California Press. ISBN 0520249089
The most comprehensive and up to date introduction. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed)

M. Andrew Holowchak. (2008). Continuum. ISBN 1847060455
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life

A. A. Long. (2004). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0199268851
This work by one of the greatest authorities on Stoicism is regarded as an intellectual tour de force that vividly depicts how Stoicism is a way of life and not just an ancient intellectual system. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy)

Brad Inwood. (2003). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521779855
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

William B Irvine. (2008). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195374614
A well-researched book intended for nonphilosophers that provides a guide to actually living the Stoic way of life. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Musonius Rufus and Education in the Good Life: A Model of Teaching and Living Virtue

J.T. Dillon. (2004). University Press of America. ISBN 0761829024
Musonius Rufus was a first century Roman Stoic philosopher mostly noted for teaching young Romans and teaching that virtue is the highest happiness. He has been neglected because he has not been seen as an "original philosopher". His new importance is that he was widely acclaimed as a teacher of the values of character and virtue in a time of growing corruption as the regime of imperial Rome consolidated its longevity. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Epicureanism

The Epicurus Reader

Epicurus, Brad Inwood,Lloyd P. Gerson. (1994). Hackett Publishing. ISBN 0872202410

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Lucretius; On the Nature of things

Lucretius, W.H.D Rouse. (1924). Loeb Classical Library. ISBN 0674992008

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Lucretius and Epicurus

Diskin Clay. (1983). Cornell University Press. ISBN 0801415594

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Paradosis and survival : three chapters in the history of Epicurean philosophy

Diskin Clay. (1998). University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0472108964

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Prosopography of Roman Epicureans from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D.

Catherine J. Castner. (1988). Peter Lang. ISBN 3820499334

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The sculpted word : Epicureanism and philosophical recruitment in ancient Greece

Bernard Frischer. (1982). University of California Press. ISBN 0520041909

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Live unnoticed = (Lathe biōsas) : on the vicissitudes of an Epicurean doctrine

Geert Roskam. (2007). Brill. ISBN 9004161716

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Pagan Philosophers On Christianity

On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians

Celsus (R. Joseph Hoffman, editor, translator). (1987). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195041518
A highly acclaimed new translation and critical restoration of this pagan philosophical response to the rise of Christianity by R. Joseph Hoffman who adds a very fine critical introduction, places the material in historical context, and has very illuminating footnotes. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Porphyry's Against the Christians: The Literary Remains

Porphyry (R. Joseph Hoffman, editor, translator). (1994). Prometheus Books. ISBN 0879758899
Another work, among three, of R. Joseph Hoffman's critical restoration and new translation of historical works by pagans on Christianity. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Julian's Against the Galileans

Flavius Claudius Julianus, Emperor of Rome (R. Joseph Hoffman, editor, translator). (2004). Prometheus Books. ISBN 1591021987
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Romano-Byzantine Philosophy (n.b. the Eastern Roman Empire did not fall until C.E. 1453.)

Byzantine Philosophy

Basil Tatakis. (2003). Hackett Publishing Company. ISBN 0872205630
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Byzantine Philosophy and Its Ancient Sources

(Editor) Katerina Ierodiakonou. (2002). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0199246130
Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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Byzantine Magic

(Editor) Henry Maquire. (1995). Dumbarton Oaks Research Library, Harvard University Press. ISBN 0884022307
This might seem to be a strange title to add to a philosophy reading list. Among other things, this book covers the continuation of Pythagorean, Hermetic, and Neoplatonic magical practices that were passed on to the Russians and the northern Italian Renaissance after the fall of New Rome (Constantinople is a nickname meaning "Constantine's city") in C.E. 1453. Contributed by A. Sempronius Regulus
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