Who is who: The school of Athens by Raphael

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The School of Athens Analysis (Click to Enlarge)

There are total of 58 human figures, 2 main sculptures and 2 books in the painting. Though, out of them only 21 figures are totally or partially identified. Both sculptures and books are recognized correctly.

Moreover, the artist Raphael has painted the ancient geniuses in form of his contemporary artists who were considered the greatest minds of renaissance time. The names written in bracket are those contemporary artists.

Here is a list of all the recognized figures in the painting:

1. Plato (Leonardo da Vinci) : Greek philosopher, mathematician, Student of Socrates, founder of Academy in Athens during 424/423 BC – 348/347 BC
2. Aristotle (Giuliano da Sangallo) : Greek philosopher, Student of Plato, Scientist, Thinker, Teacher of Alexander the Great, Writer of Nicomachean Ethics during 384-322 BCE
3. Diogenes of Sinope: Greek philosopher, one of the founder of Cynic philosophy during 412 or 404 – 323 BCE
4. Heraclitus (Michelangelo): Greek philosopher, believer of Unity of Opposites, called as “Weeping philosopher” due to his melancholia during 535 – 475 BCE
5. Parmenides maybe (Leonardo da Vinci): Ancient Greek philosopher, founder of Eleastic school of philosophy during 5^th century BCE
6. Pythagoras: Greek philosopher, mathematician, founder of Pythagoreanism, Scientist, Mystic, known for Pythagorean theorem, student of Anaximander during 570 BC – 495 BC
7. Boethius: Roman philosopher, writer of “The Consolation of Philosophy” during 480–524 OR  Anaximander: Greek Philosopher, Scientist, Teacher of Pythagoras and Anaximenes during 610 – 546 BC OR Empedocles: Greek Philosopher, Originator of Cosmogenic theory during 490 – 430 BC
8. Averroes: Andalusian Muslim polymath, Philosopher, Theologian during April 14, 1126 – December 10, 1198
9. Unknown (Federico II of Mantua or Raphael)
10. Epicurus: Greek philosopher, founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism during 341–270 BC
11. Zeno of Citium: Greek Thinker, founder of Stoic school of philosophy, Teacher in Athens during 334 – 262 BC
12. Hypatia: Greek Neo-Platonist philosopher, head of Platonist school of Alexandria during AD 350/370 – 415 OR Raphael: Italian painter, architect during April 6 or March 28, 1483 – April 6, 1520 OR Fornarina: Raphael’s mistress OR Francesco Maria della Rovere: Duke of Urbino, Italian Condottieri during 22 March 1490 – 20 October 1538
13. Socrates: Classical Greek philosopher, one of the founders of Greek philosophy, Teacher of Plato and Xenophon during 470/469 BC – 399 BC
14. Aeschines: Follower of Socrates, writer of 7 Socratic dialogues OR Xenophon: Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, Student of Socrates during 430 – 354 BC
15. Antisthenes: Greek Philosopher, Student of Socrates, Founder of Cynic Philosophy during 445 – 365 BCE OR Xenophon: written above OR Timon: known for his misanthropy, inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens during 431 BC–404 BC
16. Alexander the Great: King of Macedon, Creator of one of the largest Empires of the ancient world during 20/21 July 356 – 10/11 June 323 BC OR Alcibiades: Athenian statesman, Orator, General, Military Commander, Politician during 450 – 404 BC
17. Euclid: Greek mathematician, called as “Father of Geometry”, writer of “Elements” during 323–283 BC OR Archimedes (Bramante maybe): Greek mathematician, Physicist, Engineer, Inventor, Astronomer, Scientist during 287 BC – 212 BC
18. Ptolemy maybe: Greco-Roman writer of Alexandria, mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, poet during AD 90 – AD 168
19. Protogenes (II Sodoma, Perugino or Timoteo Viti): Greek painter, rival of Apelles during 4^th century BC
20. Apelles (Raphael): Greek painter, portrayed Alexander the Great during 4^th century BC
21. Plotinus (Donatello maybe): Ancient philosopher, writer of Metaphysical subjects during 204/5 – 270
22. Athena: Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill
23. Apollo: Greek god of light and sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, poetry
24. Timaeus: Plato’s dialogues (written form of conversations) written during 360 BC
25. Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle’s works on ethics
26. Strabo: Greek geographer, philosopher, historian, writer of “Geographia” during 64/63 BC – AD 24 OR Zoroaster (Baldassare Castiglione): founder of Zoroastrianism, philosopher.