The Structured Self in Hellenistic and Roman Thought

Teun Tieleman, The Classical Review It is difficult to do justice to a book of this scope and richness within the compass of a single review, but there can be no doubt that it will become an indispensable point of reference for researchers working on ancient conceptions of man


George Karamanolis RHIZAI Gill's book is an important achievement. The author combines the skills of the classical scholar with philosophical sensitivity to argue for a bold and general thesis, while still maintaining attention to detail...Gill's book deserves to have a wide appeal...


Sylvia Berryman, Journal of the History of Philosophy Christopher Gill's masterful treatment of the notion of the self in Hellenistic and Roman thought manages to shed remarkable clarity on a complex and fascinating field, even while challenging a prevailing view of the nature of the self in post-classical ancient Greek philosophy This is fascinating work, bringing out the strengths of one of the richest periods in philosophical thought about the person, using insights from modern philosophy merely to clarify, rather
than to shape, the philosophical agenda. It is also a very good read.


Brad Inwood, Philosophical Quarterly Gill grapples with some of the toughest problems in ancient psychology, and does so with unusual power and authority This careful and historically grounded analysis shows that the ancient philosophical world held a conception of the person very different from our own and thereby how much their largely alien conception can contribute to contemporary debates. This is a book to be welcomed by ancient philosophy specialists and contemporary enquirers alike.


Gretchen Reydams-Schils, Classical Philology This is the work of a scholar who has fundamentally shaped an entire line of enquiry into human psychology, the passions, selfhood, character, and personhood in ancient philosophy.


David Konstan, Journal of Hellenic Studies This is a thoughtful and important book.


Mauro Bonazzi, Elenchos, translated from Italian The admirable combination of historical analysis and theoretical arguments that characterize Gill's work will make his book an indispensable reference point for future studies.

Christopher Gill is Professor of Ancient Thought, University of Exeter.

Introduction; I. THE STRUCTURED SELF IN STOICISM AND EPICUREANISM; 1. Psychophysical Holism in Stoicism and Epicureanism; 2. Psychological Holism and Socratic Ideals; 3. Development and the Structured Self; II. THE UNSTRUCTURED SELF: STOIC PASSIONS AND THE RECEPTION OF PLATO; 4. Competing Readings of Stoic Passions; 5. Competing Readings of Platonic Psychology; III. THEORETICAL ISSUES AND LITERARY RECEPTION; 6. Issues in Selfhood: Subjectivity and Objectivity; 7. Literary Reception: Structured and Unstructured Selves