I'm going Adamson, and you're listening to the History of Philosophy podcast brought to you with the support of King's College London and the Lever Hume Trust.

Online at www. History of Philosophy.net.

Today's episode,

Cesarian Section Philosophy in the Roman Empire.

In the very first episode of this podcast, I pointed out that relatively wealthy societies

have always been the fertile soil in which philosophy has flourished.

It's no accident that pre-Socratic philosophy first emerged in the affluent trading cities of Ionia, or that Athens became the center for philosophical activity

only after becoming the center of a Mediterranean Empire. A bit of social disruption may not be

an insurmountable obstacle, and can even be helpfully provocative.

Just think of Plato's engagement with the political events leading up to the death of Socrates.

But clearly some degree of stability is also needed,

to ensure that some members of the society can become not just literate but well-read,

and have the leisure to devote their lives to reflection and study.

So you might expect that philosophy did pretty well in the Roman Empire.

By the time of Augustus Caesar, who began his reign in 27 BC and died in 14 AD, the Romans

already held sway not only over all of Italy, but also modern day France and Spain, parts of Germany,

Greece, Asia Minor, and the fertile lands of Northern Africa.

With some boundary changes, for instance the addition of a remote island the Romans called Britannia,

the empire was able first to thrive and then at least to survive for centuries to come.

While Athens remained strongly associated with philosophy, Rome itself played host to many

a philosopher, including those who spoke and wrote in Greek.

For instance, we'll find the most important late ancient philosopher Plutinus living there in the third century

...