Synesius of Cyrene (370-412 AD) - Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer, mechanic, poet, diplomat, soldier, Metropolitan of Pentapolis - one of the brightest figures at the turn of the 4th-5th centuries. He was a student and one of the closest friends of Hypatia of Alexandria, belonged to the circle of Troilus and Aurelian in Constantinople, was a direct participant in the Antigothic uprising on July 11–12, 400, which changed the fate of the Eastern Empire, twice successfully organized the defense of Hellenic Libya from the barbarians, and was a spiritual child St. Theophilus of Alexandria and companion of St. John Chrysostom in metropolitan politics; a brilliant writer, an inspired poet, a profound philosopher; at the age of about forty years, he becomes the bishop of Ptolemais - the main city of the then Libya - revealing himself to be as impeccable a hierarch as he is a man. This edition includes all the letters of Synesius and the text of the Chaldean Oracles, necessary for understanding the philosophical and theological views of the thinker. The book is decorated with a speech by P. Hadot and contains a metrical version of the philosopher's hymns.