 The third treatise is entitled “Investigations (episkepseis) by Syrianus, the Son of Philoxenus, into the Difficulties Aristotle Raises About Mathematics and Numbers in Books Mu and Nu of the Metaphysics.” This long defense of Platonism and Pythagoreanism against Aristotle’s incisive criticism is by far the most instructive part of Syrianus’ work. It is worth quoting the introduction to this polemical essay in full because it throws some light on the careful way in which Syrianus calibrates his opposition to Aristotle. Syrianus writes In metaph 80, 4–81, 6: