Editing Proclus (section)

== Biography ==
{{Neoplatonism}}
The primary source for the life of Proclus is the eulogy ''Proclus'', ''or On Happiness'' that was written for him upon his death by his successor, [[Marinus of Neapolis|Marinus]],{{sfn|Helmig|Steel|2011|loc=1. Life and Works}} Marinus' biography set out to prove that Proclus reached the peak of [[virtue]] and attained [[eudaimonia]].{{sfn|Helmig|Steel|2011|loc=1. Life and Works}} There are also a few details about the time in which he lived in the similarly structured ''Life of [[Isidore of Alexandria|Isidore]]'' written by the philosopher [[Damascius]] in the following century.{{sfn|Helmig|Steel|2011|loc=1. Life and Works}}

According to Marinus,{{sfn|Guthrie|1925}} Proclus was born in 412 AD in [[Constantinople]] to a family of high social status from [[Lycia]], and raised in [[Xanthos|Xanthus]]. He studied [[rhetoric]], [[philosophy]] and [[mathematics]] in [[Alexandria]], with the intent of pursuing a judicial position like his father. Before completing his studies, he returned to Constantinople when his rector, his principal instructor (one Leonas), had business there.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Guthrie |first1=Kenneth |title=Marinus of Samaria, The Life of Proclus or Concerning Happiness (1925) pp.15–55 |date=1925 |url=http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/marinus_01_life_of_proclus.htm}}</ref> Proclus became a successful practicing lawyer. However, the experience of the practice of law made Proclus realize that he truly preferred philosophy. He returned to Alexandria, and began determinedly studying the works of [[Aristotle]] under [[Olympiodorus the Elder]]. He also began studying mathematics during this period as well with a teacher named Heron (no relation to [[Hero of Alexandria]], who was also known as Heron). As a gifted student, he eventually became dissatisfied with the level of philosophical instruction available in [[Alexandria]], and went to [[Athens]], philosophical center of the day, in 431 to study at the Neoplatonic successor of the [[New Academy]], where he was taught by [[Plutarch of Athens]] (not to be confused with [[Plutarch of Chaeronea]]), [[Syrianus]], and [[Asclepigenia]]; he succeeded Syrianus{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} as head of the Academy in 437, and would in turn be succeeded on his death by [[Marinus of Neapolis]]. He lived in Athens as a vegetarian bachelor, prosperous and generous to his friends, until the end of his life, except for a one-year exile, to avoid pressure from Christian authorities.{{sfn|Helmig|Steel|2011|loc=1. Life and Works}} Marinus reports that he was writing seven hundred lines each day.