AMMONIUS SACCAS (c. 16o-242), the founder of Neo platonism, was originally an Alexandrian porter, and, according to Porphyry as quoted by Eusebius, a Christian. His self-instruc tion in philosophy was thorough enough to attract disciples of such calibre as Longinus, the grammarian, Origen, and Plotinus. Since he designedly left no writings, practically nothing is known about his doctrines. From casual remarks of Nemisius and Hierocles, he is said to have taught the incorporeity of the soul and to have attempted a reconciliation of Plato and Aristotle. It is impossible to determine to what extent he influenced Plo tinus.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.-E. Zeller: "Ammonius Sakkas u. Plotinus" in Bibliography.-E. Zeller: "Ammonius Sakkas u. Plotinus" in Archiv. f. Gesch. der Philosophie (1894) ; L. J. Dehaut Essai historique sur la vie et la doctrine d'Ammonius Saccas (Brussels, 1836) ; T. Whit taker The Neo-Platonists (Cambridge, 1918) .