Examines the scholarly, theological, philosophical, medical, and magical writings of Ficino (1433-99) the presiding genius of Renaissance Platonism. Among the topics are the absent angel, the sibyl in the oaktree, Ficino's relation to Hermias, Plato's Pythagorean eye, Hermes Trismegistus, Beothius, and Plotinus, in addition to his many commentaries on specific works by Plato. The 15 essays were originally published 1975-93. Distributed in the US by Ashgate. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) was one of the luminaries of the Florentine Renaissance and the scholar responsible for the revival of Platonism. The translator and interpreter of the works of both Plato and Plotinus as well as of various Hermetic and Neoplatonic texts, Ficino was also a musician, priest, magus and psychotherapist, an original philosopher and the author of a vast and important correspondence with the intellectual figures of his day including Lorenzo the Magnificent. Professor Allen has become the foremost interpreter of Ficino’s metaphysics and mythology, and the ancient sources they draw upon; and this collection of essays assembles his work on Ficino’s complex interrogation of Platonic 'theology’ as not only a preparation for Christianity but as an enduring medium for intellectuals to explore and to express Christian truths.
