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Greece. He was initiated early in study, to which he was naturally inclined; and was placed under Ammonius, an Egyptian, who having taught philosophy with reputation at Alexandria, travelled thence into Greece, and settled at Athens. Under this master he had

made great advances in knowledge, and like a thorough philosopher, more apt to regard things than words, he pursued his knowledge to the neglect of languages.

On his return from Egypt to Greece, he visited, on his way, all the schools of the philosophers; and gathered from them all that he thought worthy to be regarded. He could not bear the paradoxes of the Stoics; but he was yet more averse to the impiety of the Epicureans. He took a special journey to Sparta, to search the archives of that famous Commonwealth. This enabled him to leave such a choice cabinet of observations upon men and manners. His works have been divided into lives and morals.

PLOTINUS.

Plotinus, an illustrious Platonic philosopher, was born at Lycopolis, a city of Egypt, in the year 204. He travelled much to acquire knowledge, and at 39 years of age he read philosophic lectures at Rome. The Romans paid great regard to this philosopher. Many of the senators became his disciples, and some quitted the functions of magistrates to lead a philosophic life. He had the reputation of being a man of such great virtue, as well as abilities, that many persons of both

sexes, when they found themselves dying, entrusted him with the guardianship of their children and estates.

The contempt he had for all worldly things, was the reason why he would not have his picture drawn; and when his disciple Amelius was urgent with him upon this head, "Is it not enough," said he, " to drag after us whithersoever we go, that image in which nature has shut us up o? Do you think we should likewise transmit to future ages an image of that image, as a sight worthy of attention ?" He had so little regard for the body, that he considered it a prison, from which it would be his supreme happiness to be freed. He died at 66 years of age, in the noblest manner a heathen philosopher could resign his life; these being his words as he breathed his last: "I am labouring, with all my might, to return the divine part of me, to that Divine whole who fills the Universe."

B. C. Before Christ. A. D. In the year of our Lord.

Reigns of Roman Emperors, during the periods of the Evangelical History.

Augustus having reigned from

the death of Julius Cæsar, 57 Claudius began his Reign

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