The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elements
Plato · en
But while he yet frequented the rhetorical school, the sophist
Leonas, made him the companion of his journey to Byzantium: which he
undertook for the purpose of gratifying his friend Theodorus, who was
at that time præfect of Alexandria, and who was a man both polite and
magnificent, and a lover of philosophy. But Proclus, though a youth,
followed his master more cheerfully in this journey, lest he should
be compelled to interrupt his studies. However, that I may speak
more truly, a certain good fortune brought him back to the source of
his nativity. For, on his return, his tutelar goddess exhorted him
to philosophy, and to visit the Athenian schools. But having first
returned to Alexandria, and bid farewel to rhetoric, and the other arts
which he had formerly studied, he gave himself up to the discourses of
the philosophers then resident at Alexandria. But he frequented[47]
Olympiodorus, the most illustrious of philosophers, for the sake of
imbibing the doctrine of Aristotle; and in mathematical disciplines
gave himself to Hero[48], a religious man, and one who was eminently
skilful in the proper methods of institution. But these men were so
delighted with the manners of the youth, that Olympiodorus wished
him to espouse his daughter, whom he had taken care to instruct in
philosophy, and Hero committed to him all his religion, and made
him his constant companion. But having, on a certain time, heard
Olympiodorus, a man who was endued with a great power of speaking,
and on account of the celerity of his speech, and the gravity of
his subjects, was understood by very few of his auditors, as he was
departing with the dismissed multitude, he repeated to his companions
all that was said, and almost verbatim, though the discourse was
copious; as Ulpianus Gazæus, one of his fellow-disciples informed
me, who also consumed not the least part of his life in the study of
philosophy. But he likewise learned, with great facility, the writings
of Aristotle, pertaining to rational philosophy[49], though the bare
reading of them is difficult to those who are engaged in the attempt.