Reading Proclus and the Book of Causes: 2. Translations and Acculturations edited by Dragos Calma

Abstract

The reception of Proclus’ Elements of Theology and the Book of Causes is certainly one of the most significant and complex themes for understanding the influence of Neoplatonic thought from the sixth century to the modern age. This volume is the second of three edited by Dragos Calma, in which the proceedings of the Parisian conference (12–13 February 2016) dedicated to the reception of the Elements of Theology and the Book of Causes are published. It gathers 18 contributions (12 in English, 5 in French, and 1 in German) by various scholars who have addressed the topic in question by focusing on specific aspects of the reception of these two texts between the sixth and 16th centuries in very different periods and cultural contexts. For this reason, the weighty volume is divided into five sections according to the cultural and geographical areas examined:(1) Byzantium,(2) The Caucasus,(3) The Lands of Islam,(4) The Latin West, and(5) The Hebrew Tradition.In view of the breadth and richness of the themes dealt with, I will limit myself to some brief and summary remarks on the main topics addressed in each essay.