This is the firstfull-scale publicationdedicated to the study of friendship in Neo-Platonism. Based on his interpratation of the works of Plotinus, Iamblichus, Themistius, and Emperor Julian the author argues that friendship is the core concept within Neo-Platonic political philosophy. This study makes avaluable contribution toscholarship onneo-platonic ethics and political philosophy as well as the theory of governance (Herrschaftstheorie)in Late Antiquity.