Il filosofo e l’usurpatore : neoplatonismo e partecipazione politica nell’età di Zenone

The essay focuses on the activity of Pamprepius of Panopolis, a neoplatonic philosopher who supported the Isaurian commander Illus in his political rise, first during Zeno’s reign and then when the so called Leontius’s revolt broke out (AD 484). Pamprepius’s interest in politics was already shown during his stay (AD 473-476) in Athens, where he established connections with the powerful archon Theagenes. Pamprepius’s adventure is an excellent case study to understand the complex strategies for political consensus implemented by the Isaurian elite as it gained the political spotlight in the Byzantine court.