Heraclius the Cynic

Heraclius the Cynic

Heraclius (or Herakleios, _el. Ἡράκλειος) who lived in the 4th century, was a Cynic philosopher, against whom the emperor Julian wrote in his seventh oration. [Julian, "Oration 7: To the Cynic Heracleios". cf. Eunapius, fr. 18, Libanius, "Orations", xvii. 16, xviii. 157] Julian relates how Heraclius delivered an allegorical fable before him, in which Heraclius took upon himself the part of Jupiter, and gave the emperor that of the god Pan. Although offended by this fable, and by the disrespect with which Heraclius mentioned the gods, Julian maintained his silence, fearing that he would appear paranoid if he imposed silence upon Heraclius, as well for regard for the audience. The encounter occurred whilst Julian was in Constantinople. [Libanius, "Orations", xvii. 16] Julian later composed his long discourse to explain that a Cynic should be an enemy to all pretence and deception, and ought not to compose fables; or, if he will compose them, that they should at least be serious, instructive, and religious.

We also hear upon another occasion of an incident in which Heraclius urged bold action to Procopius, a relative of Julian. [Eunapius, fr. 31, Müller] The historical context of the incident may have been when Procopius attempted (and, ultimately, failed) to seize the empire following the death of Jovian, Julian's successor.

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cleomenes the Cynic — Cleomenes (Greek: Κλεομένης; fl. c. 300 BCE) was a Cynic philosopher. He was a pupil of Crates of Thebes,[1] and is said to have taught Timarchus of Alexandria and Echecles of Ephesus, the latter of whom would go on to teach Menedemus.[2] He… …   Wikipedia

  • Heraclius (disambiguation) — Heraclius (Medieval Latin Eraclius ), from Greek Herakleios ( Ἡράκλειος ), is a Latin given name: *Heraclius the Cynic *Heraclius the Elder *Heraclius, Byzantine emperor *Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem …   Wikipedia

  • Demetrius the Cynic — Demetrius (Greek: Δημήτριος; 1st century), a Cynic philosopher from Corinth, who lived in Rome during the reigns of Caligula, Nero and Vespasian (37 71 AD). He was the intimate friend of Seneca, who wrote about him often,[1] and who describes him …   Wikipedia

  • Crescens the Cynic — Crescens (2nd century) was a Cynic philosopher who attacked the Christians, and was in turn, attacked by Justin Martyr. Eusebius, writing 150 years later, claimed that the plots of Crescens caused Justin s death. Life The only information… …   Wikipedia

  • Menedemus the Cynic — Menedemus (Greek: Μενέδημος; 3rd century BC) was a Cynic philosopher, and a pupil of the Epicurean Colotes of Lampsacus.[1] Diogenes Laërtius states that he used to go about garbed as a Fury, proclaiming himself a sort of spy from Hades: He… …   Wikipedia

  • Diogenes of Sinope — (Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς) Diogenes by John William Waterhouse, depicting his lamp, tub, and diet of onions Full name Diogenes of Sinope (Διογένης ὁ Σινωπεύς) Born …   Wikipedia

  • Crates of Thebes — Crates of Thebes. Detail from a Roman wall painting in the Villa Farnesina in Rome Full name Crates of Thebes Born c. 365 BC Thebes …   Wikipedia

  • Marcus Favonius — (c. 90 BC – 42 BC) was a Roman politician during the period of the fall of the Roman Republic. He is noted for his imitation of Cato the Younger, his espousal of the Cynic philosophy, and for his appearance as the Poet in William Shakespeare s… …   Wikipedia

  • Metrocles — (Greek: Μητροκλῆς; fl. c. 325 BC) was a Cynic philosopher from Maroneia. He studied in Aristotle’s Lyceum under Theophrastus, and eventually became a follower of Crates of Thebes who married Metrocles’ sister Hipparchia. Very little survives of… …   Wikipedia

  • Cercidas — (or Kerkidas, Greek: Κερκιδᾰς; 3rd century BCE) was a poet, Cynic philosopher, and legislator for his native city Megalopolis. A papyrus roll containing fragments from seven of his Cynic poems was discovered at Oxyrhynchus in 1906. Contents 1… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”