Hierocles (Stoic)

Hierocles was an ancient philosopher who lived in the 2nd century. He belonged to the direction of the Stoics. Previously it was " Hierocles of Alexandria ," since it was thought that he was from Alexandria in Egypt. This could lead to confusion with the Neoplatonist Hierocles of Alexandria. According to the current state of research there is no reason to assume an origin of the Stoic from Alexandria.

Approximately two-thirds of his remarks on ethics are handed down in the Codex Berolinensis Papyrus 9780; more fragments are found in the extensive excerpts of John Stobaeus. Hierocles concerned the ethics of life- practical point of view and as a guide to action in daily life. Much like Epictetus or Musonius he seems to have dispensed with a strict system and have not used a theological- anthropological foundation for his comments.

Expenditure

• Guido Bastiniani / Anthony A. Long ( eds.): Hierocles. In: Corpus dei Greci e Latini Papiri Filosofici, Part 1, Vol 1 **, Olschki, Firenze 1992, ISBN 88-222-3918-0, pp. 268-451 ( critical edition with Italian translation and commentary )