# Plotinus — The City of God character guide

> Plotinus in The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The Platonist Plotinus

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-book-i

## Who they are

Neoplatonist philosopher whose ideas on the One and the soul are discussed.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Renowned Platonist philosopher, mentioned among those who followed Plato but still advocated polytheistic worship.

### [Chapter X: Plotinus on the Wretchedness of Demons Compared to Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Augustine discusses Plotinus's teaching that the Father in compassion made human bonds mortal, contrasting the eternal bondage of demons.

### [That to obtain the blessed life, which consists in partaking of the supreme good, man needs such mediation as is furnished not by a demon, but by Christ alone.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xvii)

Quoted for the sentiment 'We must fly to our beloved fatherland... Our way is, to become like God.'

### [The Opinion of Plotinus the Platonist Regarding Enlightenment from Above](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Platonist philosopher cited for his teaching that the soul's blessedness comes from God, the intelligible Light.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xiv)

The Platonist philosopher who discoursed on providence, showing that divine beauty pervades all earthly things.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xvi)

Cited for his view that the vision of God is supremely desirable and that lacking it makes one supremely miserable.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii)

Mentioned in relation to his discussion of three principal substances.

### [Porphyry's Emendations of Platonism on the Soul's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxx)

Teacher of Porphyry who also held the opinion of transmigration, later rejected by Porphyry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/plotinus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters