Bert van den Berg
University Lecturer
- Name
- Dr. R.M. van den Berg
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 2680
- r.m.van.den.berg@hum.leidenuniv.nl
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0002-7058-1731
Bert van den Berg is a University Lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society. He specialises in the philosophy of the Greeks and Romans. Examples include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and the Stoa, but also a Christian thinker like Augustine. Additionally, he engages in the influence of the ancient philosophers on later philosophy and their relevance to modern times. These include topics such as ethics (modern and ancient virtue philosophy), happiness studies (What is happiness? How can you become happy?), the modern Stoa (Does it work?) and politics (What does Plato have to say about modern populism?).
Research
My research focuses on the philosophy of late antiquity (Plato, neoplatonism, the philosophy of the commentators) and that of Proclus in particular. I am especially interested in such topics as Neoplatonic ethics, religious practice & theology, linguistic theories & literary criticism and their intersections.
Current project
The Neoplatonists on Moral Education
This project studies the theory and practice of moral education in the (Neo)Platonic tradition, i.e. the issue of how to render the young into virtuous people. I am especially interested in the way in which Neoplatonists appropriate existing moralizing literature (Hesiod’s Works and Days, Prodicus’ Choice of Hercules, the Pythagorean Golden Verses) and genres (history, rhetoric) and adapt it to fit their own psychological and ethical ideas.
Key publications
R.M. van den Berg, ‘Proclus on Hesiod’s Works and Days and ‘Didactic Poetry’, Classical Quarterly 64 (2014), pp. 383-397.
R.M. van den Berg, ‘Proclus and Iamblichus on Moral Education’, Phronesis 59 (2014), pp. 272-296.
Previous projects
The Neoplatonists on language and naming
This project examined the ideas of the Neoplatonists about language, its relation to the outside world it seeks to describe, and its function as an instrument in philosophical investigations as we find these in the ancient commentators on Aristotle’s Organon (Porphyry, Iamblichus, Ammonius) and especially in Proclus’ commentary on Plato’s Cratylus.
Key publication:
R.M. van den Berg, Proclus’ Commentary on the Cratylus in Context: Ancient Theories of Language and Naming, Brill (Leiden) 2008.
Proclus’ Hymns
For my PhD I examined the hymns of Proclus against the background of his literary theories and within the context of theurgy, the rituals by means of which the later Neoplatonists sought to attract divine assistance and illumination.
Key publication:
R.M. van den Berg, Proclus’ Hymns. Essays, Translations, Commentary, Brill (Leiden) 2001.
Curriculum vitae
Robbert (Bert) M. van den Berg (Amsterdam, 1970) studied Classics at Leiden University (MA August 1995). After qualifying as a secondary school teacher in Classics, he took up a position of junior research fellow at the Faculty of Philosophy of Leiden University from 1996 to 2000, working on his PhD on Proclus’ Hymns under the direction of Prof. David Runia. Upon obtaining his PhD he was a research associate to Richard Sorabji’s Ancient Commentators Project at King’s College, London (2000), and postdoctoral fellow of the Mediterranean Near-Eastern Studies program at Trinity College, Dublin (2000-2001). Between 2001 and 2005, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), working on a project concerning the ancient reception of Plato's Cratylus. Since October 2001 he has been teaching ancient philosophy at the department of Classics at Leiden University.
Teaching activities
Introductory courses in ancient philosophy from Thales down to Damascius (BA1 and 2), BA-seminars on great philosophical texts such as Plato’s Politeia and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (BA3) and MA-seminars on Neoplatonism (Plotinus, Boethius) and other topics (e.g. ancient critics of democracy) related to my current research interests.
University Lecturer
- Faculty of Humanities
- Centre for the Arts in Society
- Griekse T&C
University Lecturer Ancient Philosophy
- Faculty of Humanities
- Instituut voor Wijsbegeerte
- Berg R.M. van den & Epping T. 12 February 2025, De vroege Griekse filosofen: de wilde jaren van het denken. Tijd voor de Oudheid 2:35 [podcast].
- Berg R.M. van den & Epping T. 16 February 2025, (BONUS) Hardlopers en doodlopers: de paradoxen van Zeno. Tijd voor de Oudheid 2.36 [podcast].
- Berg R.M. van den (2024), The god-like Plotinus and Proclus: two Neoplatonic patterns of perfection. In: Leemans J., Roskam G. & Van Deun P. (Eds.), Longing for perfection in Late Antiquity: studies on journeys between ideal and reality in Pagan and Christian literature. Ancient Philosophy & Religion no. 11. Leiden-Boston: Brill. 58-87.
- Berg R.M. van den (2024), Ancient scroll reveals new story of Plato’s death: here’s why you should be suspicious of it, The Conversation : .
- Berg R.M. van den & Epping T. 27 September 2023, Plato–Leven, werken en Ideeënleer. Oudheid Season 1, episode 5 [podcast].
- Berg R.M. van den & Epping T. 1 October 2023, Plato en de politiek. Oudheid Season 1, episode 6 [podcast].
- Berg R.M. van den (2023), Review of: Riel G. van (2022), Proclus: commentary on Timaeus, books 1-5 (Procli diadochi, in Platonis Timaeum commentaria). Oxford Classical Texts. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2023.11.14).
- Berg R.M. van den (2022), Plato’s violent readers: pagan Neoplatonists against Christian appropriations of Plato’s Timaeus. In: Joosse A. & Ulacco A. (Eds.), Dealing with disagreement: the construction of traditions in later ancient philosophy. Turnhout: Brepols. 111-123.
- Berg R.M. van den & Koning H.H. (2022), De mythen van Plato: verhalen voor alle tijden. Eindhoven: Damon.
- Berg R.M. van den (2022), Confusion (Ekplêxis) and sympathy (Sympatheia): the Neoplatonist proclus on the aesthetics of epiphany and theurgic union. In: Pachoumi E. (Ed.), Conceptualising divine unions in the Greek and Near Eastern worlds: Brill. 229-250.
- Berg R.M. van den (2022), Salustius' composite theory of myths. In: Melsbach D. (Ed.), Die pagane Theologie des Philosophen Salustios. Scripta Antiquitatis Posterioris ad Ethicam REligionemque pertinentia no. 41. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck. 171-196.
- Berg R.M. van den (2021), A sticky (γλίσχρος) affaire (Plato, Crat. 435c): Platonists versus Stoics on how (not) to do etymology and allegoresis, Incontri di Filologia Classica 19: 227-247.
- Berg R.M. van den (2021), Imitation and self-examination: the later Neoplatonists on the Platonic dialogue as moral education through visualisation. In: Xenophontos S. & Marmodoro A. (Eds.), The Reception of Greek Ethics in Late Antiquity and Byzantium. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 83-97.
- Berg R.M. van den (2020), Proclus' prayers for health: practising civic and theurgic prayer. In: Hoffmann P. & Timotin A. (Eds.), Théories et pratiques de la prière à la fin de l'Antiquité no. 185. Turnhout: Brepols. 193-207.
- Berg R.M. van den (2020), Woorden en dingen; Protagoras, Prodicus en de Cratylus van Plato. In: Cohen de Lara E. (Ed.), Plato en de sofisten. Een spiegel voor onze tijd. Nijmegen: Valkhof Pers. 100-114.
- Berg R.M. van den (2020), Experiencing beauty: reading the symposium and phaedrus in the Neoplatonic Academy of Athens, Classics Ireland 27: 78-97.
- Berg R.M. van den (2019) An ancient commentary on Plato's Timaeus. Review of: Tarrant H. (2017), Proclus: Commentary on Plato’s Timaeus. Book 5: Proclus on the Gods of Generation and the Creation of Humans.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Classical Review 69(1): 94-96.
- Berg R.M. van den (2019), The Emperor Julian, Against the Cynic Heraclius (Oration 7): A Polemic about Myths. Kooten G. van & Ruiten J. van (Eds.), Intolerance, Polemics, and Debate in Antiquity: Politico-Cultural, Philosophical, and Religious Forms of Critical Conversation. Intolerance – Polemics – Debate: Cultural Resistance in the Ancient World conference 16 May 2017 - 16 May 2017. Leiden: Brill. 224-439.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Plato's Atlantis. Een nobele leugen, Leidschrift 32(1): 15-27.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Palaephatus on ὀνόματα, λόγοι, and ἔργα, Mnemosyne 70(2): 308-315.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Theurgy in the Context of Proclus' Philosophy. In: d'Hoine P. & Martijn M. (Eds.), All from One. A Guide to Proclus. Oxford: OUP. 223-239.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Van Heraclitus tot Herophilus. Een halve eeuw antieke wijsbegeerte en wetenschap in Lampas, Lampas. Tijdschrift voor classici 50(3): 292-297.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Ouder en nieuwer licht in Plato's Grot, Lampas. Tijdschrift voor classici 50(3): 308-318.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Het vegetarisme van Pythagoras en Porphyrius: over zielsverhuizing en rationele dieren, Hermeneus 89(5): 230-234.
- Berg R.M. van den (2017), Proclus and Damascius on Philotimia: The Neoplatonic Psychology of a Political Emotion, Philosophie Antique 17: 149-165.
- Berg R.M. van den (2016), The Homeric Hymns in Late Antiquity: Proclus and the Hymn to Ares. In: Faulkner A., Vergados A. & Schwab A. (Eds.), The Reception of the Homeric Hymns. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 203-219.
- Berg R.M. van den (2016), Smoothing over the Differences: Proclus and Ammonius on Plato's Cratylus and Aristotle's De Interpretatione. In: Sorabji R. (Ed.), Aristotle Re-Interpreted: New Findings on Seven Hundred Years of the Ancient Commentators. London: Bloomsbury. 353-365.
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), De moraal van het verhaal: Heracles als filosofisch rolmodel in de Socratische traditie, Lampas: Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse classici 47(4): 356-368.
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), A Problem Concerning Providence: Proclus and Plutarch on Inherited Guilt and Postponed Punishment. In: D'Hoine P. & Riel G. van (Eds.), Fate, Providence and Moral Responsibility in Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Thought. Studies in Honour of Carlos Steel. Leuven: Leuven University Press. 239-252.
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), The gift of Hermes: the Neoplatonists on language and philosophy. In: Remes P. & Slaveva-Griffin S. (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism. London and New York: Routledge. 251-265.
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), Review of: Riel Gerd van (2013), Plato's Gods. Ashgate studies in the history of philosophical theology. Franham; Burlington, VT: Ashgate. Bryn Mawr Classical Review .
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), Proclus on Hesiod's Works and Days and 'Didactic' Poetry, Classical Quarterly 64(1): 383-397.
- Berg R.M. van den (2014), Proclus and Iamblichus on Moral Education, Phronesis Phronesis(59): 272-296.
- Berg R.M. van den (2013), Review of: Corrigan K. & Turner J.D. (2012), Religion and Philosophy in the Platonic and Neoplatonic Traditions: From Antiquity to the Early Medieval Period.. Sankt Augustin: Academia .
- Berg R.M. van den (2013), Plotinus's Socratic Intellectualism, Proceedings of the Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy 28: 217-231.
- Berg R.M. van den (2012), Cratylus. In: Press G.A. (Ed.), The Continuum Companion to Plato. London: Continuum. 46-47.
- Berg R.M. van den (2012), In Situ. Seneca, Plato en meer: twee filosofische websites, Lampas: Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse classici 45(3): 260-261.
- Berg R.M. van den (2011), Review of: Tuominen M. (2009), The Ancient Commentators on Plato and Aristotle. Stocksfield: Acumen. Revue de Métaphysique et de Morale : 107-108.
- Berg R.M. van den & Koning H.H. (2011), Review of: Marzillo P. (2010), Der Kommentar des Proklos zu Hesiods 'Werken und Tagen'. Tübingen: Narr Verlag. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2011.08.54.
- Berg R.M. van den (2011), De moord op Hypatia. Neoplatoonse filosofie in christelijk Alexandrië, Lampas: Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse classici 44(4): 377-392.
- Berg R.M. van den (2010), Procheirisis: Porphyry Sent. 16 and Plotinus on the similes of the waxen block and the aviary, International Journal of the Platonic Tradition 4(2): 163-180.
- Berg R.M. van den (2009), As we are always speaking of them and using their names on every occasion. Plotinus, Enn. III.7 [45]: Language, experience and the philosophy of time in Neoplatonism. Chiaradonna R. & Trabattoni F. (Eds.), Physics and Philosophy of Nature in Greek Neoplatonism. European Science Foundation Exploratory Workshop (Il Ciocco, Castelvecchio Pascoli). Leiden/Boston: Brill. 101-120.
- Berg R.M. van den (2009) Boekbespreking. Review of: Emilsson E.K. (2007), Plotinus on Intellect. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Mnemosyne 62: 315-317.
- Berg R.M. van den (2008), Proclus' Commentary on the Cratylus in Context: Ancient Theories of Language and Naming. Leiden/Boston: Brill.
- Berg R.M. van den (2008) Boekbespreking. Review of: Anceschi Barbara (2007), Die Götternamen in Platons Kratylos. Ein Vergleich mit dem Papyrus von Derveni. Studien zur klassischen Philologie, 158. Frankfurt am MAin: Peter Lang .
- Berg R.M. van den (2007), What's in a Divine Name? Proclus on Plato's Cratylus. Scourfield J.H.D. (Ed.), Texts & Cultures in Late Antiquity: Inheritance, Authority, and Change. . Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales. 261-277.
- Berg R.M. van den (2007) Boekbespreking. Review of: Radke G. (2006), Das Lächeln des Parmenides. Proklos' Interpretationen zur Platonischen Dialogform no. 7/8. Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter. Internet tijdschriften Kunstform/Sehepunkte 7.
- Berg R.M. van den (2007) Education in Late Antiquity. Review of: Watts E.J. (2006), City and School in Late Antique Athens and Alexandria no. 2. Berkeley: University of California Press. Classical Review 57: 457-459.
- Berg R.M. van den (2006), Platons Kratylos und die Theologia Platonica des Proklos. Perkams M. & Piccione R.M. (Eds.), Proklos: Methode, Seelenlehre, Metaphysik. Akten der Konferenz in Jena am 18.-20. September 2003. . Leiden/Boston: Brill. 35-48.
- Berg R.M. van den (2006), Does it Matter to Call God Zeus? Origen, Contra Celsum I 24-25 against the Greek Intellectuals on Divine Names. Kooten G.H. van (Ed.), The Revelation of the Name YHWH to Moses: Perspectives from Judaism, the Pagan Graeco-Roman World, and Early Christianity (Themes in Biblical Narrative, Volume 9). . Leiden-Boston: Brill. 169-183.
- Berg R.M. van den (2006) Boekbespreking. Review of: Aubry G. (2004), Plotin: Traité 53 I, 1. Introduction, traduction, commentaire et notes no. 2. Paris: Les Editions du Cerf. Classical Review 56: 332-333.
- Berg R.M. van den (2005), Live unnoticed! The invisible Neoplatonic politician. Smith A. (Ed.), The Philosopher and Society in Late Antiquity. Essays in Honour of Peter Brown. . Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales. 101-115.
- Berg R.M. van den (2005), God the Creator, God the Creation: Numenius' Interpretation of Genesis 1:2 (Frg. 30). Kooten G.H. van (Ed.), The Creation of Heaven and Earth: Re-interpretations of Genesis I in the Context of Judaism, Ancient Philosophy, Christianity, and Modern Physics (Themes in Biblical Narrative VIII). . Leiden: Brill. 109-123.
- Berg R.M. van den (2005) Plotinus on the Intellect. Review of: Lacrosse J. (2003), La philosophie de Plotin. Intellect et discursivité no. 1. Paris: Presses universitaires de France. Classical Review 55: 93-94.
- Berg R.M. van den (2004), Iamblichus. In: Jestice Ph.G. (Ed.), Holy People of the World: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. 385-385.
- Berg R.M. van den (2004), Smoothing over the differences: Proclus and Ammonius on Plato's Cratylus and Aristotle's De Interpretatione. Adamson P., Baltussen H. & Stone M.W.F. (Eds.), Philosophy, Science and Exegesis in Greek, Arabic and Latin Commentaries-I (BICS Supplement 83.1). . London: Institute of Classical Studies. 191-201.
- Berg R.M. van den (2004), "A Remark of Genius and Well Worthy of Platonic Principles": Proclus' Criticism of Porphyry's Semantic Theory. Riel G. van & Macé C. (Eds.), Platonic Ideas and Concept Formation in Ancient and Medieval Thought. . Leuven: Leuven University Press. 155-169.
- Berg R.M. van den (2004) Reconstructing Neoplatonic Political Philosophy. Review of: O'Meara , Platonopolis: Platonic Political Philosophy in Late Antiquity. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Classical Review 54: 351-352.
- Berg R.M. van den (2003), "Becoming like God" according to Proclus' interpretations of the Timaeus, the Eleusinian mysteries, and the Chaldaean Oracles. Sharples R.W. & Sheppard A. (Eds.), Ancient Approaches to Plato's Timaeus (BICS 78). . London 189-202.
- Berg R.M. van den (2003) Recensie. Review of: Clark G., Porphyry: On Abstinence from Killing Animals no. 1. Mnemosyne 56: 89-91.
- Berg R.M. van den (2003) Boekbespreking. Review of: Finamore J.F. & Dillon J.F. (2002), Iamblichus De Anima: Text, Translation, and Commentary. Leiden: Brill. Hermathena 173: 98-100.
- Berg R.M. van den (2002) Recensie. Review of: Dorandi T., Le stylet et la tablette no. 6. Mnemosyne 55: 762-763.
- Berg R.M. van den (2001), Proclus' Hymns. Essays, Translations, Commentary. Leiden / Boston / Köln: Brill.
- Berg R.M. van den (2001) Recensie. Review of: Boys-Stones G.R., Post-Hellenistic Philosophy: A Study of its Developments from the Stoics to Origen. Hermathena 170: 104-107.
- Berg R.M. van den (2001) Recensie. Review of: Athanassiadi P., Damascius: The Philosophical History. Journal of Roman Studies 91: 269-269.
- Berg R.M. van den (2001) Recensie. Review of: Dillon J.M. & Cleary J.J., The Great Tradition|Traditions of Platonism. Essays in Honour of John Dillon. Hermathena 170: 99-104.
- Berg R.M. van den (2001) Recensie. Review of: Gregory J., The Neoplatonists: A Reader. Mnemosyne 54: 753-755.
- Berg R.M. van den (2000), Towards the Paternal Harbour: Proclean Theurgy and the Contemplation of the Forms. Segonds A.Ph. & Steel C. (Eds.), Proclus et la Théologie Platonicienne. Actes du Colloque International de Louvain. Colloque International de Louvain. Leuven-Paris 425-443.
- Berg R.M. van den (2000), Review of: Jackson R. & Lycos K., Olympiodorus: Commentary on Plato's Gorgias no. 1. Mnemosyne 53: 112-115.
- Berg R.M. van den (1999), Plotinus' Attitude to Traditional Cult: a Note on Porphyry VP 10, Ancient Philosophy 19: 345-360.
- Runia D.T., Berg R.M. van den, Martin J.P., Radice R. & Sandelin K.-G. (1995), Philo of Alexandria: an Annotated Bibliography 1992, Studia Philonica Annual (The) 7: 186-222.
- Runia D.T., Berg R.M. van den, Radica R., Sandelin K.-G. & Satran D. (1994), Philo of Alexandria: an Annotated Bibliography 1991, Studia Philonica Annual (The) 6: 122-159.
- Berg R.M. van den, Buijs M., Gieben C.J.S., Hoorn R.J. van den, Nijland J.M., Pfeijffer I.L. & Roskam H.N. (1993), Bataafs Athene, een bloemlezing van Klassiek Griekse Poëzie van de hand van Leidse Humanisten van de zestiende tot en met de twintigste eeuw, kritische teksteditie met introducties, vertalingen en noten, samengesteld en uitgegeven ter gelegenheid van het tachtigste lustrum van het Collegium Classicum c.n. M.F. Leiden: Eigen beheer.