The Theology of the Epinomis

This first monograph devoted to the theology of the Epinomis offers readers an insight into the its philosophical and historical context, purpose, and legacy to reach a definition of its theology. Suitable for those studying ancient philosophy, particularly the Epinomis and Platonic philosophy.

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This is the first monograph devoted to the theology of the Epinomis. It argues that the work offers a revised Platonic conception of the divine better suited to the political-religious imperatives of the post-Classical age.

The Epinomis is the ‘appendix’ to Plato’s Laws likely written by Plato’s student and disciple, Philip of Opus, who is believed to have taken care of the arrangement and posthumous editing of the Laws into twelve books. Through a comprehensive analysis of the Epinomis’ lexicon, and comparisons with the Corpus Platonicum, Vera Calchi offers readers an insight into the Epinomis’ philosophical and historical context, purpose, and legacy. Calchi argues that Philip effectively reshapes Plato’s metaphysical language into a theology premised on the immanence of God in the heavens. The resulting account of God’s providential activity in the cosmos, which offers a new way of thinking about morality and political order, can be regarded as a major step towards the cosmic theology of the Hellenistic period.

The Theology of the Epinomis is suitable for students and scholars of ancient philosophy, particularly those working on the Epinomis and Platonic philosophy. It will also be of interest to those studying the history of religion and theology in antiquity.