Apollonius of Tyana Apollonius of Tyana (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλώνιος ὁ Τυανεύς; c. 15 – c. 100 AD),[1] sometimes also called Apollonios of Tyana, was a Greek Neopythagorean philosopher from the town of Tyana in the Roman province of Cappadocia in Anatolia.
Apollonius of Tyana
Contents Life dates Sources Biography Historical facts Miracles Journey to India
Apollonius of Tyana depicted on a coin. Born
c.15 AD Tyana, Cappadocia, Anatolia (Roman Empire)
Died
c. 100 AD
Writings Comparisons with Jesus Impact Antiquity Apollonius of Tyana in Bahá’í Scripture Modern era
Occupation Orator, philosopher, mathematician Known for
Plane Loci
Editions See also References Sources External links
Life dates Apollonius was born into a respected and wealthy Greek family.[2][3] Although the precise dates of his birth and death are uncertain, most scholars agree that he was a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth. His primary biographer, Philostratus the Elder (circa 170 – c. 247), places him circa 3 BC – c. 97 AD.[1][4]
Sources The earliest and by far the most detailed source is the Life of Apollonius of Tyana, a lengthy, novelistic biography written by the sophist Philostratus at the request of empress Julia Domna. She died in 217 AD.,[5] and he completed it after her death, probably in the 220s or 230s AD. Philostratus’s account shaped the image of Apollonius for posterity. To some extent it is a valuable source because it contains data from older writings which were available to Philostratus, but disappeared later on. Among these works are an excerpt (preserved by Eusebius) from On Sacrifices, and certain alleged letters of Apollonius. The sage may have actually written some of these works, along with the no-longer extant