Gemistus Pletho: Neoplatonist and Pagan during the Renaissance

The Renaissance and Paganism are two terms that perhaps normally don't go together, but they certainly did in the case of Georgios Gemistos, later known as Pletho (Plethon). Born to a well off family in Constantinople, he became interrested in the then rather neglected works of Plato early in his life. For as long as he breathed Gemistus would try to revive Platonism, spreading deeper understanding of the philosophy to the Italians through the Council of Florence, and teaching it to his pupils in southern Greece. His pagan beliefs weren't discovered until after his death, through a secret book that he left behind ...

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[PlasmaSnake]

He was a more influential person on history than most realize

[sisyphusvasilias]

Im astounded how much I enjoy this channel. Its the unique perspectives these stories take. Its like seeing something old through fresh eyes. And so well scripted, narratored and edited. Exceptional content for YT.

[gabingston]

I knew about this guy due to a chain of events in the EU4 mod Third Odyssey, where the Byzantines escape to America right before they fell.

[nikolailysenkov]

The Emperor should have listened to Pletho's advice.

[zabooza]

He was also a big influence on Cardinal Bessarion and Pomponius Laertius Accademia Romana, which was interestingly enough also condemned by the Pope for Neopaganism.

[TheJensizm]

Succinct and very well put together! Thanx!!

[test-mmbv]

"worldly goods" is a good book about the book trade in western europe during the renaissance.
many were imported from the byzantines then ottomans.

[ΚώσταςΠ-κω]

the people must learn more about him.He was a real hellenic soul in the christian years of Hellas

[forthrightgambitia]

He saw Platonism as a continuation and greatest expression of an ancient mytical metaphyical order that was expressed in the cults of Zoroaster and Pythagoras for example. His teaching of astronomy that you mention were maily astrology based on the book Chaldean Oracles, supposedly from ancient Babylonia (but in fact probably written in 2nd century Rome) defined a hierarchy of existence with a whole ton of mysticism drawn from various parts of the mythologies of the different regions of the Roman Empire, much like Hermeticism with its weird Greco-Egyptian mythology. Whether Plato would have actually recognised this as a representation of his philosophy seems doubtful to me, I suspect he would have been horrified by its use by obscurantists like Plotinus from the 3rd century onwards. It was only in the 18th century that people started study Plato's works in themselves again and not through the lens of centuries of neo-Platonic flummery.

[knicksprop]

I just found this through the r/pagan subreddit. Very interesting.

[u_colin]

which book did you use to make this video. Or do you have any recommendations?

[charadradam]

''έλληνες εσμέν το γένος ώς η τε φωνή καί η πάτριος παιδεία μαρτυρεί'' ... Plethon.

[mydogsbutler]

Everyone knows ancient Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Plethos is a Greek philosopher that was famous in Italy during the Renaissance. He was a major figure in propelling interest in ancient Greek history, culture, and knowledge. And virtually no one today has ever heard of him.

[BasileosHerodou]

I love content about this important man but you basicallly just reread from the wikipedia article

[snatagrl]

I'm struggling to understand your pronunciation at times. :(

[jnnyism]

Plato was considered much more pagan than Aristotle in his way of thinking whereas Aristotle was considered a natural Christian living in pagan times. John chrsyostotum said “we need no other philosophy than the philosophy of Jesus Christ “. And from the early medieval period Plato was very much neglected

[daliuzumaki]

ironically plethon was reincarnated as a homosexual and burned at the stake

[zpetraki]

I am definitely sure whenever Plethon and the rest of his kin talked about themselves they never used the invalid term 'greeks' but called themselves Hellenes. This disgusting behaviour by so called western academia to ascribe names to cultures that the cultures never used for themselves has to finally stop. Start respecting your subject matter.