ALCINOUS, the Platonic philosopher, lived probably in the time of the Caesars. He was the author of an analysis of Plato's philosophy, and attributed to Plato ideas of other philosophers. He produced latterly a synthesis of Plato and Aristotle with an admixture of Pythagorean or Oriental mysticism, and is closely allied to the Alexandrian school of thought. He recognized a God who is unknowable, and a series of beings (Satµovcs) who hold intercourse with men. He recognized also ideas and matter, and borrowed largely from Aristotle and the Stoics.
The 'Eircroi. has been translated by Pierre Balbi (Rome, 1469) and by Marsilio Ficino ; into French by J. I. Combes-Dounous (1800) ; and into English by Thomas Stanley in his History of Philosophy. Editions: Heinsius (Leyden, 1630) ; Fischer (Leipzig, 1783) ; in Aldine Edition of Apuleius (Venice, 1521, 153 2) ; Fell (1667) . See Ritter, Geschichte der Philosophie, iv. 249.