Abstract

Alexander of Lycopolis is the author of an anti-Manichaean text from last quarter of the third century AD or maybe slightly later. Despite the fact that the author is clearly a Platonist, the text has been largely ignored by historians of Platonism, with the notable exception of Jaap Mansfeld who in 1974 published the only philosophical analysis of this text. The text certainly deserves greater attention, as it is a rare testimony from an important transitional phase in the history of ancient Platonism. Since 1974, Platonic studies have boomed and hence it is worth our while to take a new look at this text. I will look at Alexander’s arguments against the Manichaean conception of matter. The analysis of these arguments and a comparison with contemporaneous sources will allow us to shed more light on Alexander’s own philosophical position and the traditions to which he belongs.