Platonic philosopher in the third century. His genius was greatly superior to the vulgar herd of philosophers, and was very singular and extraordinary. At 28 years of age he had a strong desire to study philosophy, on which occasion he was recommended to the most famous professors of Alexandria. He was not satisfied with their lectures; but, upon hearing those of Ammonius, he confessed that this was the man he wanted. He studied for 11 years under that excellent master, and then went to hear the Persian and Indian philosophers. He afterwards read lectures of philosophy at Rome; and in the 50th year of his age, Porphyry became his disciple, Porphyry being resolved to have everything fully explained, Plotinus, to give him that satisfaction, was induced to write many books; 24 of which he composed during the six years that Porphyry was his disciple; and these, added to 21 that he had written before Porphyry's arrival, with nine he composed after Porphyry's leaving Rome, made in all 54 books, which are divided into six Enneades, and are all upon very abstruse subjects. However, we may discover in them the traces of a fruitful, elevated, vast, and penetrating genius, and a close method of reasoning. The Romans had a high veneration for him; and he passed for a man of such judgment and virtue, that many persons of both sexes, when they found themselves dying, intrusted him, as a kind of guardian angel, with the care of their estates and children. He was the arbiter of numberless law-suits; and constantly behaved with such humanity and rectitude of mind, that he did not create himself one enemy during the 26 years he resided in Rome. He, however, did not meet with the same justice from all of his own profession; for a philosopher of Alexandria, being envious of his glory, used his utmost endeavours, though in vain, to ruin him. The emperor Gallienus, and the empress Salonina, had a very high regard for him; and, had it not been for the opposition of some jealous courtiers, they would have had the city of Campania rebuilt, and given to him with the territory belonging to it, to establish a colony of philosophers, and to have it governed by the ideal laws of Plato's commonwealth. He laboured under various disorders during the last year of his life, which obliged him to leave Rome, when he was carried to Campania to the heirs of one of his friends, who furnished him with every thing necessary; and there he died in the year 270, aged 66. His 54 books are printed in Greek, with a Latin version, contents, and an analysis of each book, by Marcillus Ficinus. His life was written by Porphyry, the most illustrious of his disciples.