Research Profile

Crystal Addey

Biography

Dr Crystal Addey is a Lecturer in the Department of Classics, School of the Human Environment, College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Sciences, at University College Cork.  She is a Principal Investigator of the UCC Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and a Founder and Co-Convenor of the Eco-Humanities Research Group. Much of her recent and forthcoming research focuses on environmental philosophy and traditional forms of ecological knowledge, with a specialisation in ancient philosophical and religious ideas about and approaches towards the environment and their possible relevance to contemporary environmental challenges.  She is also a Member of the Board of Directors for the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies and an established researcher in the area of Neoplatonism and the Platonic tradition, with a particular research focus on the connections between philosophy and religion in the ancient world, especially in late antiquity. Her research also focuses on the roles of women and gender in ancient philosophy. 

Dr Addey graduated with a First class BA (Hons) degree from the University of Liverpool in 2000 and then completed a Masters degree in Ancient Philosophy and Mythology in the Department of Classics, University of Wales Lampeter in 2002. She conducted doctoral research in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Bristol, under the supervision of Professor Gillian Clark and obtained her PhD in 2009 (thesis title: ‘The Roles of Divination and Theurgy in the Philosophy of Porphyry and Iamblichus).’ After teaching for several years at Cardiff University (2009-11) and at the University of Wales, Trinity St. David (2011-13), she was appointed as the Classics Centre Co-ordinator (2013-14) for the newly established East End Classics Centre under the aegis of the Capital Classics project, which was established to encourage and promote the teaching of Classics and related subjects in state schools across East and North London. She then taught at the University of St Andrews (2014-17) and was subsequently appointed as a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow (2018) to work on the AHRC-funded project ‘The Reception of Aristotle in Byzantium.’ In September 2019, she was appointed as a Lecturer in Classics at UCC.

Research Interests

Dr Addey’s research focuses on three main areas: (1) environmental philosophy and traditional forms of ecological knowledge, with a particular specialisation in approaches towards the environment, landscape and place, and the natural world in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and religious traditions; (2) the connections and intersections between philosophy, religion and culture in the Roman imperial period and late antiquity, with a particular specialisation in the relationship between late antique philosophy (especially metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and cosmology) and traditional Mediterranean religions. Her primary focus in this regard is on the roles of oracles and other forms of divination within late antique philosophy and Mediterranean religious traditions;  (3) the roles of women in ancient philosophy and the complex relationship between gender and philosophy.  She is also interested in the reception of Homer, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in late antiquity and Byzantium.  Her research is interdisciplinary, engaging with – and drawing on – philosophical, historical, anthropological, religious studies and postcolonial research and approaches.



Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2022)Georgios Pachymeres. Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Critical Edition with Introduction and Translation.
Edited by Sophia Xenophontos. Translated by Sophia Xenophontos and Crystal Addey. (2022) Georgios Pachymeres. Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Critical Edition with Introduction and Translation. Berlin: De Gruyter. [DOI] [Details]
(2014)Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism: Oracles of the Gods.
Addey, Crystal (2014) Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism: Oracles of the Gods. London-New York: Routledge.   [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2023)'Divination and Dialogue in Porphyry and Iamblichus'
Crystal Addey (2023) 'Divination and Dialogue in Porphyry and Iamblichus' In: Elsa Giovanna Simonetti and Claire Hall (eds). Divination and Revelation in Later Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.   [DOI] [Details]
(2023)'Julian and Sallust on the Ascent of the Soul and Theurgy'
Crystal Addey and Jay Bregman (2023) 'Julian and Sallust on the Ascent of the Soul and Theurgy' In: Sara Ahbel-Rappe, Danielle A. Layne and Crystal Addey (eds). Soul Matters. Plato and Platonists on the Nature of the Soul. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature. [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'Environmental Perspectives in ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion'
Crystal Addey (2022) 'Environmental Perspectives in ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion' In: Alexander J.B. Hampton and Douglas Hedley (eds). The Cambridge Companion to Christianity and the Environment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'Diotima, Sosipatra and Hypatia: Methodological Reflections on the Study of Female Philosophers in the Platonic Tradition'
Crystal Addey (2022) 'Diotima, Sosipatra and Hypatia: Methodological Reflections on the Study of Female Philosophers in the Platonic Tradition' In: Jana Schultz and James Wilberding (eds). Women and the Female in Neoplatonism. Leiden-Boston: Brill. [Details]
(2021)'Divination and Knowledge in ancient Greek and Roman cultures'
Crystal Addey (2021) 'Divination and Knowledge in ancient Greek and Roman cultures' In: Crystal Addey (eds). Divination and Knowledge in Greco-Roman Antiquity. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2021)'Divination and the Kairos in ancient Greek Philosophy and Culture'
Crystal Addey (2021) 'Divination and the Kairos in ancient Greek Philosophy and Culture' In: Crystal Addey (eds). Divination and Knowledge in Greco-Roman Antiquity. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2019)'Oracles of Fire: The Formation and Reception of the Chaldean Oracles'
Crystal Addey (2019) 'Oracles of Fire: The Formation and Reception of the Chaldean Oracles' In: Helmut Seng and Lucia Tissi (eds). Late Antique Oracles in Context: The Fortune and Reception of Oracular Texts in Late Antiquity. Heidelberg: Winter Verlag. [Details]
(2019)'The Connected Cosmos: Harmony, Cosmology and Theurgy in Neoplatonism'
Crystal Addey (2019) 'The Connected Cosmos: Harmony, Cosmology and Theurgy in Neoplatonism' In: Nicholas Campion (eds). The Harmony Debates. Lampeter: Sophia Centre Press. [Details]
(2018)'Plato's Women Readers'
Addey, Crystal (2018) 'Plato's Women Readers' In: Harold Tarrant, Danielle Layne, Dirk Baltzly and Francois Renaud (eds). Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity. Leiden: Brill. [Details]
(2017)'Sosipatra: Prophetess, Philosopher and Theurgist: Reflections on Divination and Epistemology in Late Antiquity'
Addey, Crystal (2017) 'Sosipatra: Prophetess, Philosopher and Theurgist: Reflections on Divination and Epistemology in Late Antiquity' In: Richard Evans (eds). Prophets and Profits: Problems in Ancient Divination and its Reception. London-New York: Routledge. [Details]
(2017)'Dreams, Medicine and Healing in Late Antiquity: Oneiromancy (Dream Divination) in Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles'
Addey, Crystal (2017) 'Dreams, Medicine and Healing in Late Antiquity: Oneiromancy (Dream Divination) in Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles' In: Edrisi Fernandes and Carlos Luciano Silva Cortinha (eds). Cura e encantamento: rito, mito e psicologia. Brazil: Tanto Mar Editores. [Details]
(2014)'The daimonion of Socrates: Daimones and Divination in Neoplatonism'
Addey, Crystal (2014) 'The daimonion of Socrates: Daimones and Divination in Neoplatonism' In: Harold Tarrant and Danielle Layne (eds). The Neoplatonic Socrates: Essays in Late Antiquity and the Reception of Socrates. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press. [Details]
(2013)'Ecstasy between Divine and Human: Reassessing Agency in Iamblichean Divination and Theurgy'
Addey, Crystal (2013) 'Ecstasy between Divine and Human: Reassessing Agency in Iamblichean Divination and Theurgy' In: John F. Finamore and John Philips (eds). Literary, Philosophical and Religious Studies in the Platonic Tradition. Bonn: Academia Verlag. [Details]
(2013)'In the Light of the Sphere: The Vehicle of the Soul and Subtle Body Practices in Neoplatonism'
Addey, Crystal (2013) 'In the Light of the Sphere: The Vehicle of the Soul and Subtle Body Practices in Neoplatonism' In: Geoffrey Samuel and Jay Johnston (eds). Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West: Between Mind and Body. London-New York: Routledge. [Details]
(2012)'The Role of Divine Providence, Will and Love in Iamblichus' Theory of Prayer and Religious Invocation'
Addey, Crystal (2012) 'The Role of Divine Providence, Will and Love in Iamblichus' Theory of Prayer and Religious Invocation' In: Eugene Afonasin, John Dillon and John Finamore (eds). Iamblichus and the Foundations of Late Platonism. Leiden: Brill.   [DOI] [Details]
(2011)'Assuming the Mantle of the Gods: 'Unknowable' Names and Invocations in Late Antique Theurgic Ritual'
Addey, Crystal (2011) 'Assuming the Mantle of the Gods: 'Unknowable' Names and Invocations in Late Antique Theurgic Ritual' In: André Lardinois, Josine Blok and M.G.M. van der Poel (eds). Sacred Words: Orality, Literacy and Religion. Leiden: Brill. [DOI] [Details]
(2010)'Monotheism, Henotheism and Polytheism in Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles'
Addey, Crystal (2010) 'Monotheism, Henotheism and Polytheism in Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles' In: Stephen Mitchell and Peter Van Nuffelen (eds). Monotheism Between Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity. Leuven: Peeters. [Details]
(2010)'Divine Possession and Divination in the Graeco-Roman World: The Evidence from Iamblichus' On the Mysteries'
Addey, Crystal (2010) 'Divine Possession and Divination in the Graeco-Roman World: The Evidence from Iamblichus' On the Mysteries' In: Bettina E. Schmidt and Lucy Huskinson (eds). Spirit Possession and Trance: New Interdisciplinary Perspectives. London: Continuum. [Details]
(2007)'Oracles, Dreams and Astrology in Iamblichus' De Mysteriis'
Addey, Crystal (2007) 'Oracles, Dreams and Astrology in Iamblichus' De Mysteriis' In: Angela Voss and Patrick Curry (eds). Seeing with Different Eyes: Essays on Astrology and Divination. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Press. [Details]
(2007)'Consulting the Oracle: The Mantic Art and its Causation in Iamblichus' De Mysteriis'
Addey, Crystal (2007) 'Consulting the Oracle: The Mantic Art and its Causation in Iamblichus' De Mysteriis' In: John F. Finamore and Robert Berchman (eds). Metaphysical Patterns in Platonism: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Modern Times. New Orleans: University Press of the South. [Details]
(2007)'Mirrors and Divination: Catoptromancy, Oracles and Earth Goddesses in Antiquity'
Addey, Crystal (2007) 'Mirrors and Divination: Catoptromancy, Oracles and Earth Goddesses in Antiquity' In: Miranda Anderson (eds). The Book of the Mirror: An Interdisciplinary Collection exploring the Cultural Story of the Mirror. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Press. [Details]

Edited Books

 YearPublication
(2023)Soul Matters. Plato and Platonists on the Nature of the Soul
Sara Ahbel-Rappe, Danielle A. Layne and Crystal Addey (Ed.). (2023) Soul Matters. Plato and Platonists on the Nature of the Soul Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature. [Details]
(2021)Divination and Knowledge in Greco-Roman Antiquity
Crystal Addey (Ed.). (2021) Divination and Knowledge in Greco-Roman Antiquity London: Routledge. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2012)'Oracles of Orpheus? The Orphic Gold Tablets'
Crystal Addey (2012) 'Oracles of Orpheus? The Orphic Gold Tablets'. The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition, :115-127 [DOI] [Details]
(2007)'Oracles, Religious Practices and Philosophy in Late Neoplatonism'
Crystal Addey (2007) 'Oracles, Religious Practices and Philosophy in Late Neoplatonism'. Practical Philosophy: The British Journal of Philosophical Practice, 8 (2):31-35 [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2020)Review of Neoplatonic Demons and Angels. Edited by Luc Brisson, Seamus O'Neill and Andrei Timotin. Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2018.
Crystal Addey (2020) Review of Neoplatonic Demons and Angels. Edited by Luc Brisson, Seamus O'Neill and Andrei Timotin. Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2018. Leiden-Boston: Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2019)Review of E.G. Simonetti, A Perfect Medium? Oracular Divination in the Thought of Plutarch, Leuven 2017.
Crystal Addey (2019) Review of E.G. Simonetti, A Perfect Medium? Oracular Divination in the Thought of Plutarch, Leuven 2017. Book Reviews   [Details]
(2015)Review of G. Casadio and P.A. Johnson (eds), Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia, Austin 2009.
Crystal Addey (2015) Review of G. Casadio and P.A. Johnson (eds), Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia, Austin 2009. Book Reviews   [DOI] [Details]
(2013)Ancient Oracles: Review of R. Stoneman, The Ancient Oracles: Making the Gods Speak, New Haven and London 2011.
Crystal Addey (2013) Ancient Oracles: Review of R. Stoneman, The Ancient Oracles: Making the Gods Speak, New Haven and London 2011. Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2011)Review of J.M. Dillon and W. Polleichtner (eds), Iamblichus of Chalcis: The Letters, Atlanta 2009.
Crystal Addey (2011) Review of J.M. Dillon and W. Polleichtner (eds), Iamblichus of Chalcis: The Letters, Atlanta 2009. Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2011)Review of S. Mitchell and P. Van Nuffelen (eds), One God: Pagan Monotheism in the Roman Empire, Cambridge 2010.
Crystal Addey (2011) Review of S. Mitchell and P. Van Nuffelen (eds), One God: Pagan Monotheism in the Roman Empire, Cambridge 2010. Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2008)Review of K. Corrigan and J. Turner, Platonisms: Ancient, Modern and Postmodern, Leiden 2007.
Crystal Addey (2008) Review of K. Corrigan and J. Turner, Platonisms: Ancient, Modern and Postmodern, Leiden 2007. Book Reviews   [DOI] [Details]
(2007)Review of A. Busine, Paroles d'Apollon: Pratiques et traditions oraculaires dans l'Antiquité tardive (IIe - VIe siècles), Leiden 2005.
Addey, Crystal (2007) Review of A. Busine, Paroles d'Apollon: Pratiques et traditions oraculaires dans l'Antiquité tardive (IIe - VIe siècles), Leiden 2005. Book Reviews [Details]

Invited Lectures

 YearPublication
(2019)'Divination and Dialogue in Porphyry and Iamblichus' for International Conference 'Revelation in the Ancient World: Divination Prophecy and Epiphany' International Conference, Durham University, UK.
Crystal Addey (2019) 'Divination and Dialogue in Porphyry and Iamblichus' for International Conference 'Revelation in the Ancient World: Divination Prophecy and Epiphany' International Conference, Durham University, UK. Invited Lectures [Details]

Bibliography

 YearPublication
(2017)Sosipatra.
Addey, Crystal and Regina Fichera (2017) Sosipatra. Oxford-New York: Bibliography [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2021Teaching Hero Award The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and the Union of Students (Ireland):
2021CACSSS Interdisciplinary Research Fund College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Research Committee
2017Honorary Research Fellow School of Classics, University of St Andrews

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
International Society for Neoplatonic Studies Member of the Board of Directors/
Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions Member03-MAR-23 / 03-MAR-24
Eco-Humanities Research Group Founder and Co-Convenor01-JUN-21 /
Women's Classical Committee UK Member/
Centre for Late Antique Studies, University of St Andrews Member/
Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture, Cardiff University Associate Member/
Foro di Studi Avanzati (Forum for Advanced Study of the Humanities) Research Fellow and Member of the Executive Committee/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2022)International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 19th Annual Conference 2022,
Crystal Addey (2022) 'Place, Landscape and Inspiration in Plato's Phaedrus: Relational Philosophy and the Environment'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 19th Annual Conference 2022, American College of Greece, Athens, Greece , 08-JUN-22 - 12-JUN-22. [Details]
(2022)Eco-Humanities Research Group Lunchtime Seminar Series,
Crystal Addey (2022) 'Ancient Greek Philosophy and Contemporary Environmental Crisis: Relational Philosophy, Late Antique Theurgy and Indigenous Traditions'. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Eco-Humanities Research Group Lunchtime Seminar Series, University College Cork, Ireland , 03-MAR-22 - 03-MAR-22. [Details]
(2021)International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 18th Annual Conference,
Crystal Addey (2021) On the Ecocentric nature of Divination and Theurgy in the Platonic Tradition: Relational Philosophy and the Environmental Crisis. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 18th Annual Conference, American College of Greece, Athens, Greece , 10-JUN-21 - 12-JUN-21. [Details]
(2020)Workshop for the Cambridge Companion to Christianity and the Environment,
Crystal Addey (2020) Environmental Perspectives in Greco-Roman Antiquity. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Workshop for the Cambridge Companion to Christianity and the Environment, University of Toronto, Canada , 29-MAY-20 - 30-MAY-20. [Details]
(2019)Gaetano Massa Forum for Advanced Studies Fifth International Conference: Philosophy, Theology, Aesthetics and Religion: From Antiquity to the Renaissance,
Crystal Addey and Dawn Collins (2019) A Comparative Study of Theurgy and Tibetan Religious Practices: Initial Considerations and Reflections. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Gaetano Massa Forum for Advanced Studies Fifth International Conference: Philosophy, Theology, Aesthetics and Religion: From Antiquity to the Renaissance, Casa per Ferie Santa Lucia Philippini, Rome, Italy , 01-JUN-19 - 03-JUN-19. [Details]
(2018)Prometheus Trust Annual Conference: 'Philosophy and Ecology',
Crystal Addey (2018) The Connected Cosmos: Iamblichean Philosophy, Ecology and the Environmental Crisis'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Prometheus Trust Annual Conference: 'Philosophy and Ecology', Mancetter, UK . [Details]
(2018)Gaetano Massa Forum for Advanced Studies Fourth Annual Conference: Renaissance, Ancient and Medieval Patterns: Philosophy, Theology, Aesthetics and Religion,
Crystal Addey (2018) 'Theurgy, Solar Cult and Oracles of Apollo: Julian's Hymn to Helios'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Gaetano Massa Forum for Advanced Studies Fourth Annual Conference: Renaissance, Ancient and Medieval Patterns: Philosophy, Theology, Aesthetics and Religion, Casa per Ferie Santa Lucia Philippini, Rome, Italy , 27-MAY-18 - 29-MAY-18. [Details]
(2017)International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 15th Annual Conference,
Crystal Addey (2017) 'Divine Power, Presence, Immanence and Transcendence in the Philosophy of Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Society for Neoplatonic Studies 15th Annual Conference, Palaky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic , 13-JUN-17 - 16-JUN-17. [Details]

Outreach Activities

 Description

4 March 2022: Corvinus Transition Year Programme in the Arts and Humanities Lecture: 'Animals and the Environment in Graeco-Roman Philosophy'

2013-14: Classics Centre Co-ordinator for the newly established East End Classics Centre at BSix Sixth Form College (Hackney, London) under the aegis of the Capital Classics project, which was established to encourage and promote the teaching of Classics and related subjects in state schools across East and North London.

July 2020: Podcast (open access) on Platonism, Ecology and Theurgy for the Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast Series

17 June 2020: Radio Interview: 'Ancient Approaches to Animals and the Environment and their relevance to Contemporary Environmental Crisis.'

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Journal Of Hellenic Studies Peer Reviewer-
Journal Of Roman Studies Peer Reviewer-
Bryn Mawr Classical Review Peer Reviewer-
The Classical Review Peer Reviewer-
The International Journal Of The Platonic Tradition Peer Reviewer-

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

 Dr Addey's teaching interests include ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, religions (especially oracles and divination) and magic, ancient Mediterranean religious traditions, religions in late antiquity, the roles of women in ancient philosophy, gender and philosophy, approaches towards animals, the natural world and the environment in Graeco-Roman philosophy, religions and culture, the reception of Homer and Greek literature in late antiquity, the reception of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle in late antiquity, ancient literary theory and book-culture, especially the history of the book, the history of philosophy and the history of religions.

Contact details


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Department of Classics

Clasaicí

O'Rahilly Building, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland

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