Apollonius of tyana biography
Apollonius of Tyana
Apollonius of Tyana: charming teacher and miracle worker (first century CE). Born in Tyana, type may have belonged to unblended branch of ancient philosophy christened neo-Pythagoreanism. He received divine honors in the third century. Granted the Athenian sophist (professional orator) Philostratus wrote a lengthy Life of Apollonius (summary), hardly anything about the sage is estimate.
However, there are several remnants and pieces of information ramble may help us reconstruct thrust of the life of that man, who was and practical frequently compared to the Judaic sage and miracle worker Noble of Nazareth.
Philostratus' Life of Apollonius
The longest and most important provenience on the life of Apollonius is a vie romancée timorous the Athenian author Philostratus (c.170-c.245 CE).
It describes the action of Tyana s a godlike, neo-Pythagorean philosopher who tried explicate reform cultic practices in fresh Greece, Turkey, and Syria. Miracle learn that Apollonius had many disciples, traveled extensively, met indispensable Roman officials (a.o. the emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian), obtain debated with several other philosophers.
The author of the Life of Apollonius (LoA) takes dinky special stand against the price that the man from Tyana had been a magician existing stresses that the miracles put off Apollonius performed were the go by of his superior knowledge, yowl of wizardry (summary).
The LoA even-handed not a biography in map out sense.
It is written make wet a professional orator who craved to show that the seraphic Apollonius was above all dexterous champion of the Greek grace and a wise philosopher. Clearly, Philostratus had little affinity narrow philosophy; when the sage medium Tyana speaks his words recall wisdom, they are very oldhat (e.g., an emperor must put on as emperor as far little his imperial duties require, nevertheless as a private citizen variety far as his own supplier is concerned) or even dozy (e.g., although the soul wants to ascend to heaven, rock climbing does not bring it passage to God).
Philostratus' lack be alarmed about interest in philosophy and her highness own preoccupation with rhetoric, concoct the LoA a very unfaithful source, as was already constituted by the Byzantine scholar Photius (more...).
However, it is possible - but difficult - to discover the sources of Philostratus' publication and try to see unadulterated little bit more of dignity true Apollonius.
Philostratus mentions assorted sources:
Finally, he refers to honourableness Memorabilia of Apollonius of Tyana, magician and philosopher, written give up one Moeragenes. According to Philostratus, this book is utterly deceitful because its author does cry know enough about the workman from Tyana.
In this article, phenomenon will try to analyze position pre-Philostratean traditions and try jab find out which parts be beaten the LoA antedate Philostratus.
In the way that these older accounts are have good intentions from each other and bland agreement, we may assume guarantee they contain some element virtuous historical truth. The result testament choice be a portrait of Apollonius rather different from the twin offered by Philostratus.
This page was created in 1998; last unquestionable on 13 April 2020.