List of students of Plotinus

The following is a list of students of Plotinus. The philosopher Plotinus was the founder of a tradition later known as Neoplatonism.

Porphyry, the most important of Plotinus's pupils, was born in Tyre c. 233. He was taught first by Cassius Longinus in Athens, before travelling to Rome in 262 where he studied under Plotinus for six years. After the death of Plotinus, he edited and published the Enneads, which had been compiled by his teacher. He also wrote a biography of his teacher, and many commentaries and philosophical works, some of which survive and is famous for his attacks on Christianity compiled in his Adversus Christianos, of which only fragments preserved by his Christian opponents remain.

Amelius was originally a student of the works of Numenius of Apamea, before attending the lectures of Plotinus in the third year after Plotinus came to Rome, and never left him until the end of his life. Amelius read and wrote voraciously, writing over 100 volumes of sayings and commentaries, none of which survive. His most important convert to Neoplatonism was Porphyry.

Castricius Firmus was a 3rd-century neoplatonist and disciple of Plotinus. Plotinus was on the most familiar terms with him (Zethos), and used to stay with him at his country place, six miles from Minturnae, a property which had formerly belonged to Castricius Firmus.

Porphyry stated of Castricius Firmus in the Life of Plotinus, "Castricius was excelled by none of the group in appreciation of the finer side of life: he venerated Plotinus; he devoted himself in the most faithful comradeship to Amelius in every need, and was in all matters as loyal to myself as though I were his own brother."

Eustochius of Alexandria was a 3rd-century neoplatonic philosopher and student of Plotinus. Porphyry stated in the Life of Plotinus, "Among closer personal friends was Eustochius of Alexandria, also a doctor, who came to know Plotinus towards the end of his life, and attended him until his death: Eutochius consecrated himself exclusively to Plotinus' system and became a veritable philosopher."

Senators Marcellus Orontius and Sabinillus were 3rd century neoplatonists and disciples of Plotinus. Porphyry stated of them in the Life of Plotinus, "There were also among Plotinus' hearers not a few members of the Senate, amongst whom Marcellus Orontius and Sabinillus showed the greatest assiduity in philosophical studies."

Paulinus was a 3rd-century neoplatonist and disciple of Plotinus. Porphyry stated of Paulinus in the Life of Plotinus, "The group included also one Paulinus, a doctor of Scythopolis, whom Amelius used to call Mikkalos in allusion to his blundering habit of mind."