The author of the Anonymous Prolegomena to Platonic Philosophy is unknown, and no details of their life survive. The work dates from the 6th century CE, a period of late antiquity, and was written within the Neoplatonic philosophical tradition. According to modern scholars, the author was likely a teacher or scholar connected to the major Platonic schools in cities like Alexandria or Athens, where such introductory guides were standard.

The single surviving work is an educational handbook designed for students beginning the study of Plato. It systematically covers standard topics in the Neoplatonic curriculum, including the classification of Plato’s dialogues, Plato’s biography, his literary style, the recommended order for reading his works, and the ultimate goal of his philosophy.

The text is a significant source for understanding how philosophy was taught in the final centuries of classical antiquity. It provides valuable insight into the structured, scholastic methods of late Neoplatonism and preserves summaries of earlier interpretations of Plato’s works. For scholars, it serves as a key document for reconstructing the pedagogical practices and interpretive principles of the late antique Platonic schools.