In the introduction to this essay, the biographical data of the Persian King Khosroes I and the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia are presented, followed by the report of the closure of the Athenian Neoplatonic school by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 529. This closure was the occasion for seven Neoplatonic philosophers to emigrate to Persia, where they were welcomed by Khosroes I. After a brief overview of the Neoplatonic doctrine of the soul, of the questions the king addressed to Priskianos, the question about the human soul and his answers are examined in detail. “Priscian’s answers to King Khosroes of Persia (Solutiones)” have survived only in an inadequate Latin translation. Despite this inadequacy, the basic ideas of Priscian’s answers can be thoroughly demonstrated: the soul is a substance, the soul is incorporeal and separate from the body. Finally, the connection between soul and body and the immortality of the soul are presented. From the intellectuel point of view, the Latin translation of the questions can be considered as the fragment of a significant cultural encounter between Persia and Greece based on Neoplatonic philosophy.
Pietsch,R. (2022). On Immortality of Man’s Soul Answers of the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia to questions of the Persian great king Khosroes I.. Spektrum Iran, 35(2), 167-183.
MLA
Pietsch,R. . "On Immortality of Man’s Soul Answers of the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia to questions of the Persian great king Khosroes I.", Spektrum Iran, 35, 2, 2022, 167-183.
HARVARD
Pietsch R. (2022). 'On Immortality of Man’s Soul Answers of the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia to questions of the Persian great king Khosroes I.', Spektrum Iran, 35(2), pp. 167-183.
CHICAGO
R. Pietsch, "On Immortality of Man’s Soul Answers of the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia to questions of the Persian great king Khosroes I.," Spektrum Iran, 35 2 (2022): 167-183,
VANCOUVER
Pietsch R. On Immortality of Man’s Soul Answers of the Greek philosopher Priscian of Lydia to questions of the Persian great king Khosroes I.. SPIR, 2022; 35(2): 167-183.
