Immortality was central to ancient philosophical reflections on the soul, happiness, value and divinity. Conceptions of immortality flowed into philosophical ethics and theology, and modern reconstructions of ancient thought in these areas sometimes turn on the interpretation of immortality. This volume brings together original research on immortality from early Greek philosophy, such as the Pythagoreans and Empedocles, to Augustine. The contributors consider not only arguments concerning the soul's immortality, but also the diverse and often subtle accounts of what immortality is, both in Plato and in less familiar philosophers, such as the early Stoics and Philo of Alexandria. The book will be of interest to all those interested in immortality and divinity in ancient philosophy, particularly scholars and advanced students.

‘… the research and insights are of a consistently high quality … the volume will find a welcome place among other scholarly treatments of immortality and divinity … Recommended.’

F. A. Grabowski Source: Choice

‘… a refreshing and coherent … collection of essays that offers much food for thought.’

Ilaria L. E. Ramelli Source: Review of Biblical Literature