The recovery of ancient philosophy in the Renaissance: a brief guide

Abstract

This article provides a guide to the recovery of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy in the Renaissance (1350-1600). It details the key figures, texts, and translations that became available to Renaissance scholars, revealing the dynamic process of rediscovering and reinterpreting the ancient philosophical tradition. The guide highlights the revival of Platonism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Skepticism, and underscores how these alternative philosophies challenged the dominance of Aristotle, which had become the backbone of medieval university curricula. The guide also examines the crucial role of ancient commentators on Aristotle in shaping the reception of his works during the Renaissance. Furthermore, it examines the burgeoning interest in biographical materials and doxographies, which provided a broader historical context for the study of ancient philosophy. The guide also explores the fascination with theosophical writings attributed to legendary figures such as Hermes Trismegistus and Orpheus, which contributed to the revival of ancient pagan religious and philosophical traditions in the Renaissance. – AI-generated abstract.