204 - 270 Greeek Philosopher  Plotinus studied philosophy in
Alexandria, Egypt. He then joined a military campaign against
Persia, in the hope of learning Persian and Indian philosophy.
Around 244 he went to Rome at a time when Christian churches
competed with Oriental religions.  Plotinus, under the influence
of these events, developed his own philosophic ideas.  He
believed that man should reject material things and should
purify his soul and to lift it up to a communion with a higher
spirit.  Plotinus became the founder of the Neo-platonic school
of philosophy, which became the most formidable rival of
Christianity in the ancient world.  www link : Encyclopedia of
Philosophy