French Literature Reviews - 2026

Simplicius as a Reader of the Sophist
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas

coll. “Études et commentaires” 108
retail price: 23 €
c. 252 pages
format 160 x 240
978-2-252-03626-6

This book explores Simplicius's method and interpretation of the Sophist, illustrating late Neoplatonic exegesis and a restorative approach to the literal text.

Drawing on a corpus of commentaries (largely unpublished in French), Marc-Antoine Gavray reconstructs Simplicius's reading and compares it with those of Plotinus, Proclus, and Damascius.
The result is a meticulous exegesis, well suited to guide the modern reader in understanding Plato.
A Research Fellow with the National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS – Liège), Marc-Antoine Gavray focuses primarily on the interpretation of the Presocratics in Plato and the reception of the dialogues within Neoplatonism.

Late Neoplatonic commentary represents a distinctive chapter in the history of classical philosophy, characterized by rigorous engagement with foundational texts and an enduring concern for textual preservation. Within this intellectual tradition, commentators sought to reconcile traditional pedagogical methods with complex metaphysical frameworks, often employing systematic approaches to elucidate difficult passages. Scholars working within the field of ancient philosophy study these texts to understand how successive generations transmitted, interpreted, and adapted classical thought, shedding light on the evolving relationship between philosophy and pedagogy in late antiquity.

Readers interested in the history of philosophy, ancient exegesis, and the reception of Plato may find this volume relevant. Marc-Antoine Gavray examines Simplicius's method and interpretation of the Sophist, drawing on a corpus of commentaries while comparing this approach with the readings of Plotinus, Proclus, and Damascius. The study illustrates late Neoplatonic exegesis and a restorative approach to the literal text, reflecting the transmission of Platonic dialogues through the lens of ancient scholarship.