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Olympiodorus of Alexandria: exegete, teacher, philosopherUtrecht University (NL), 14-15 December 2017 Olympiodorus of Alexandria, who is often considered to have been the last leading, non-Christian philosopher of classical antiquity, has also been termed ‘the first classicist’ (Tarrant 1997). His place in the history of thought brings into focus issues of doctrinal difference and toleration, of the value of philosophical tradition, and of pedagogical concern for those coming of age in uncertain times. But there is more to Olympiodorus than the times in which he lived. His commentaries on Plato’s First Alcibiades, Gorgias and Phaedo, and on Aristotle’s Categories and Meteorology are now becoming better known and explored. Recent scholarship has also reopened the question of Olympiodorus’ philosophical calibre. There is reason enough, then, to try to present an all-round picture of Olympiodorus, as this conference intends to do. Confirmed speakers include: Bert van den Berg Michael Griffin Pauliina Remes François Renaud Anne Sheppard Carlos Steel Harold Tarrant Cristina Viano This call for abstracts is directed particularly at early career researchers, including researchers on temporary contracts and PhD candidates. We are able to cover accommodation costs for all speakers and travel costs for those who have no other funds available to them. We invite abstracts for papers on any aspect of Olympiodorus’ work, in particular papers that: bring together individual works of Olympiodorus; relate his views to those of his predecessors; advance our understanding of his position in a largely Christian environment; throw new light on his hermeneutical strategies; help us understand Olympiodorus as a teacher.Please send your abstract of no more than 500 words to Olympiodorus2017@gmail.com, by September 30th, 2017.&#160;The conference is made possible by financial support from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), through the VENI project ‘Socratic Educations’ led by Albert Joosse. Dr. L.A. (Albert) Joosse | Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies | Utrecht University | www.uu.nl/staff/lajoosse