Introduction. Prologues or introductions, prooimions, which defi ned the subject of the dialogue (σκοπός), described the place, time, and characters, played a key role in the dramatic structure of Plato’s dialogues. In the Athenian Neoplatonism of Proclus, allegorical commentary on the prooimions to Plato’s dialogues was given special signifi cance, which is evident from the extensive commentary of Proclus to the dialogue “Parmenides”. Theoretical analysis. The dialogue “Parmenides” in Athenian Neoplatonism acts as the ontological pinnacle of Platonic philosophy, and its hypotheses on the relationship between the One and the existing are considered as the most abstract exposition of the fundamental ontological principles of Platonism. The prooimion to this dialogue allows us to connect these principles with the four-stage hierarchy of being and various models of its interpretation. In their analysis the authors demonstrate that the spatio-temporal organization of the prooimion to the dialogue “Parmenides” and the persons mentioned in it serve as an allegorical illustration of the ontological content of the main part of this dialogue. Conclusion. It is shown that the prooimions set out not only the subject (σκοπός) of the future discussion, but also provide a symbolic and allegorical interpretation of the intention (προθέσεως) of the dialogues themselves. Thus, the prooimions act as an allegorical plan-indicator to the dialogues, allowing us to organize and clarify their ideological content.