Lives of the sophists

 to follow, having scattered it like some mist. At once, therefore, the divine Plutarch records his own life, scattered throughout his books, and that

 not one man has written a biography, at least so far as we know but for one collecting from the signs given during the reading, such were the things

 And after these things he deals with many other matters, how one must take care of them. And he says that he also pursued and cast out a certain demon

 ungrudging. Therefore, he did few things by himself, apart from his companions and pupils, revering the divine but for the most part he was with his

 Golden locks gleamed about his back and his breast, and he seemed altogether as one bathing and having been bathed. And when his companions were aston

 of beauty. Thus that man also, choosing to praise him for the sake of the truth, on the one hand reveals the magnitude of the punishments and misfortu

 they neglected the plot. Therefore, just as in the time of the old and great Socrates, no one of all the Athenians (even though they were a democracy)

 But she happened to be skilled also in delivering women in their confinement. <and> as she was setting a cup before the Egyptian and pouring the spice

 his own hand and the things written, he found the oracle written on his hand. 6.4.4 And it is this: Threads are set on the threads of two Fates for yo

 with easy proofs, he orders him to come out, and he came out, having overthrown a tyrant with his speech and he immediately invited him to his table

 is your life as well, a gift as high as heaven and reaching the stars, leave this Sosipatra with us, her truer nurses and fathers, and for five years

 is it, child? And she, pausing for a little, said, But now I understand what was said. For as they, weeping, handed these things to me, they said, '

 he was doing, and revealed the signs that appeared. And as he fell gaping to the ground, and confessed that Sosipatra was openly a goddess, Rise up,

 I have no need to write their names for the account hastens on not to the base but to the good. Except for what one of her children (Antoninus was hi

 human. For collecting the bones and heads of those convicted of many crimes, whom the civil court had punished, they both declared them gods, and they

 he had arrived, and his body was weary and foremost among his school, and holding first place, were Maximus, on whose behalf this is being written, a

 the torches will light up, which the goddess carries in her hands and the light, flaring up on the torches, anticipated the words. We then, for the

 sent him gifts <and> an escort for the care of the temples of Hellas, he immediately summoned 7.3.10 Maximus and Chrysanthius. And the summons was one

 nevertheless unmoved, not lifted up by the imperial power, but bringing down the imperial power and leveling it to a more philosophical state. 7.4.8 B

 he contributed great good will to affairs, exposing his body to the foremost dangers, and being openly at odds with the praetorian prefect, so that no

 for immediately those who had conspired and been numbered and with everyone everywhere being seized and slaughtered, like hens at a festival and symp

 Pergamon, and the more honored of the companions were present 8.1.6 but the teacher, implanting a certain harmony and care for what is human in his s

 in imitation of the public theaters 9.1.6, but smaller and as is fitting for a house. For so great was the strife in Athens of the men and youths of t

 (And Tusciunus, who was present at the trial, and within the group of the accused, related these things to the author) Prohaeresius came forward into

 the sun makes the night longer by becoming more southerly (for it had entered Libra and the nights were about to lengthen) and the ship-captain, bein

 he was handsome, and one marveled at the power of his beauty, that for so great a body 10.3.2 it sufficed throughout for the most excellent form and

 for the sake of wealth, but for Prohaeresius argument alone was enough, just as the Homeric Hermes escorting Priam to the tent of Achilles10.3.17 even

 no one knew the future but when he said I will ask for another, more difficult thing, then, having been ordered 10.5.2 to speak, he says, let not

 being of a most distinguished rank, to grasp, and to draw into sight the phantom conceived from ancient images, 10.6.4 he hurried to Greece. And havin

 transferring their astonishment to his appearance and what they saw, they were amazed at both the beauty and height of his body, as if looking up with

 very quickly leaped into political life. 10.8.1 But when Julian was emperor, being excluded <ἐν> from his position of teaching (for he was thought to

 they say. HIMERIUS: Bithynia bore this man, but the one writing these things did not know him and yet he was living in those times. But having crosse

 to Libanius 16.1.10 and of those thought worthy of his company he departed unstung but his character was immediately recognized for what it was, and

 blaming the greatness of that man's nature, but himself testifying to his own 17.1.3 hyperattention and precision regarding petty words as if unaware

 he was a distinguished child, having partaken of all education which both contributes to and perfects virtue. 21.1.2 And advancing in age, he became a

 precision, and to confess openly that when they met with Ionicus, they learned in practice the things said by the ancients, and brought them out for u

 having something contentious and stubborn in his nature, resisting the signs that had appeared from the gods, he would ask for and demand 23.2.2 other

 of those present, a stir arose, and it seemed good to him to contribute something to what was being said, everything was full of silence, as if no peo

 All were present, and he who is writing these things was present but Justus, standing over it, and fixing the gaze of his eyes (for the victim lay in

 shook souls into fear, he alone remained unshaken, so that 23.6.2 one might have conjectured * that the man was not even on earth. At those times inde

ungrudging. Therefore, he did few things by himself, apart from his companions and pupils, revering the divine; but for the most part he was with his companions, being easy-going and old-fashioned in his way of life, and in conversation over drink delighting 5.1.7 and filling those present as if with nectar. But they, having a ceaseless and insatiable enjoyment, troubled him continually, and putting forward those worthy of mention, said to him: "Why indeed, most divine teacher, do you do certain things alone by yourself, not sharing the more perfect 5.1.8 wisdom with us? And yet a report is brought to us by your slaves, that when praying to the gods you are raised from the earth more than ten cubits, it is estimated; and your body and clothing are changed into a certain golden beauty, and when you cease from prayer your body becomes [and] like it was before you prayed, and coming down to the earth you hold discourse with us." 5.1.9 Iamblichus, not being one to laugh much, laughed at these 5.1.10 words. But saying to them, "The one who deceived you was not without charm, but these things are not so; and for the rest, nothing will be done without you," such things he demonstrated. 5.1.11 And this came to the one writing these things from the teacher Chrysanthius of Sardis. He was a student of Aedesius, and Aedesius was among the first of Iamblichus's students, and 5.1.12 one of those who had said these things to him. He said, therefore, that these great demonstrations of his divinity had occurred. The sun was moving towards the boundaries of Leo, when it rises with the so-called Dog-star, and it was the time for sacrifice; and it was prepared in 5.1.13 one of his suburban estates. When all was well, <and> they were returning to the city, proceeding at a walking pace and leisurely (for they were having a discussion about the gods appropriate to the sacrifice), Iamblichus, fixing his mind in the middle of the conversation, as if his voice were cut off, and fixing his unmoving eyes on the ground for some time, looked up at his companions, and cried out to them: "Let us go by another 5.1.14 road; for a corpse has just been carried past from here." So he, having said this, walked another way which seemed cleaner, and with him some returned, all those who thought it was a matter of shame to abandon their teacher; but the greater number and more contentious of the companions, among whom was Aedesius, remained there, taking the matter as a marvel, and tracking down the proof 5.1.15 like dogs. And after a little while those who had buried the deceased came back; but they did not desist even then, but asked if they had come along this road; and they said, "It was necessary," for they said they had no other. 5.2.1 And they jointly witnessed something even more divine than this, how <the crowd of his pupils> often importuned him, saying that this was a small thing and perhaps an advantage of the sense of smell, and that they wished to have a trial of something greater; but he would say to them, "But this is not up to me," "but when 5.2.2 the time is right." After some time, they decided to go to Gadara; these are hot baths in Syria, second only to the Roman ones at Baiae, and no others can be compared to them; and they go to Gadara at that time of the year. He happened to be bathing, and they were bathing with him, and were pressing him about the same things. But Iamblichus, smiling, said, "But it is not pious to display these things, 5.2.3 but for your sake it shall be done." <and> he commanded his pupils to inquire from the locals how two of the hot springs, the smaller ones, but more graceful than the others, were named of old. And they, having accomplished what was commanded, said, "But there is no pretext; but this one is called Eros, and the one next to it is named Anteros." 5.2.4 And he, immediately touching the water (for he happened to be sitting on the ledge at the overflow), and having spoken some brief words, called up a boy from below the spring. 5.2.5 The boy was white and of a moderate size, and

ἄφθονος. ὀλίγα μὲν οὖν χωρὶς τῶν ἑταίρων καὶ ὁμιλητῶν ἔπραττεν ἐφ' ἑαυτοῦ, τὸ θεῖον σεβαζόμενος· τὰ δὲ πλεῖστα τοῖς ἑταίροις συνῆν, τὴν μὲν δίαιταν ὢν εὔκολος καὶ ἀρχαῖος, τῇ δὲ παρὰ πότον ὁμιλίᾳ τοὺς παρ5.1.7 όντας καθηδύνων καὶ διαπιπλὰς ὥσπερ νέκταρος. οἱ δέ, ἀλήκτως ἔχοντες καὶ ἀκορέστως τῆς ἀπολαύσεως, ἠνώχλουν αὐτῷ συνεχῶς, καὶ προστησάμενοί γε τοὺς ἀξίους λόγου, πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔφασκον· "τί δῆτα μόνος, ὦ διδάσκαλε θειότατε, καθ' ἑαυτόν τινα πράττεις, οὐ μεταδιδοὺς τῆς τελεω5.1.8 τέρας σοφίας ἡμῖν; καίτοι γε ἐκφέρεται πρὸς ἡμᾶς λόγος ὑπὸ τῶν σῶν ἀνδραπόδων, ὡς εὐχόμενος τοῖς θεοῖς μετεωρίζῃ μὲν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς πλέον ἢ δέκα πήχεις εἰκάζεσθαι· τὸ σῶμα δέ σοι καὶ ἡ ἐσθὴς εἰς χρυσοειδές τι κάλλος ἀμείβεται, παυομένῳ δὲ τῆς εὐχῆς σῶμά τε γίνεται [καὶ] τῷ πρὶν εὔχεσθαι ὅμοιον, καὶ κατελθὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς τὴν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ποιῇ συν5.1.9 ουσίαν." οὔ τι μάλα γελασείων, ἐγέλασεν ἐπὶ τούτοις τοῖς 5.1.10 λόγοις Ἰάμβλιχος. ἀλλ' εἰπὼν πρὸς αὐτούς, ὡς "ὁ μὲν ἀπατήσας ἡμᾶς οὐκ ἦν ἄχαρις, ταῦτα δὲ οὐχ οὕτως ἔχει· τοῦ λοιποῦ δὲ οὐδὲν χωρὶς ὑμῶν πεπράξεται" τοιαῦτα ἐπεδεί5.1.11 ξατο· εἰς δὲ τὸν ταῦτα γράφοντα ἦλθεν παρὰ τοῦ διδασκάλου Χρυσανθίου τοῦ ἐκ Σάρδεων. ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἦν Αἰδεσίου μαθητής, Αἰδέσιος δὲ ἀνὰ τοὺς πρώτους Ἰαμβλίχου, καὶ 5.1.12 τῶν ταῦτα πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰρηκότων. ἔλεγεν οὖν ἐπιδείξεις αὐτοῦ μεγάλας τῆς θειότητος γεγενῆσθαι τάσδε. ἥλιος μὲν ἐφέρετο πρὸς τοῦ Λέοντος ὅρια, ἡνίκα συνανατέλλει τῷ καλουμένῳ Κυνί, καὶ θυσίας καιρὸς ἦν· ἡ δὲ εὐτρέπιστο ἔν 5.1.13 τινι τῶν ἐκείνου προαστείων. ὡς δὲ τὰ πάντα εἶχε καλῶς, <καὶ> ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν ὑπέστρεφον, βάδην καὶ σχολαίως προϊόντες (καὶ γὰρ διάλεξις ἦν αὐτοῖς περὶ θεῶν τῇ θυσίᾳ πρέπουσα) τὸν νοῦν ἐπιστήσας ὁ Ἰάμβλιχος μεταξὺ διαλεγόμενος, ὥσπερ ἀποκοπεὶς τὴν φωνήν, καὶ τὰ ὄμματα εἰς τὴν γῆν ἀτρεμίζοντα χρόνον τινὰ ἐρείσας, ἀνά τε ἔβλεψεν εἰς τοὺς ἑταίρους, καὶ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐξεβόησε· "ἄλλην ὁδὸν πορευώ5.1.14 μεθα· νεκρὸς γὰρ ἐντεῦθεν ἔναγχος παρακεκόμισται." ὁ μὲν οὖν ταῦτα εἰπὼν ἄλλην ἐβάδιζε καὶ ἥτις ἐφαίνετο καθαρωτέρα, καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ τινὲς ὑπέστρεφον, ὅσοις τὸ καταλιπεῖν τὸν διδάσκαλον αἰσχύνης ἄξιον ἔδοξεν· οἱ δὲ πλείους καὶ φιλονεικότεροι τῶν ἑταίρων, ἐν οἷς καὶ ὁ Αἰδέσιος ἦν, ἔμειναν αὐτοῦ, τὸ πρᾶγμα ἐπὶ τερατείαν φέροντες, καὶ τὸν ἔλεγχον 5.1.15 ὥσπερ κύνες ἀνιχνεύοντες. καὶ μετὰ μικρὸν ἐπανῄεσαν οἱ θάψαντες τὸν τετελευτηκότα· οἱ δὲ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἀπέστησαν, ἀλλ' εἰρώτησαν εἰ ταύτην εἶεν παρεληλυθότες τὴν ὁδόν· οἱ δέ, "ἀναγκαῖον ἦν", ἄλλην γὰρ οὐκ ἔφασαν ἔχειν. 5.2.1 Ἔτι δὲ τούτου θειωδέστερον συνεμαρτύρουν, ὡς ἐνοχλοῖ ἡ μὲν <τῶν ὁμιλητῶν πληθὺς> αὐτῷ πολλάκις, μικρὸν τοῦτο εἶναι φάσκοντες καὶ ὀσφρήσεως ἴσως που πλεονέκτημα, βούλεσθαι δὲ διάπειραν λαβεῖν ἑτέρου μείζονος· ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς "ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐπ' ἐμοί γε τοῦτο" ἔλεγεν, "ἀλλ' ὅ5.2.2 ταν καιρὸς ᾖ". μετὰ δὲ χρόνον τινὰ δόξαν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ τὰ Γάδαρα· θερμὰ δέ ἐστι λουτρὰ τῆς Συρίας, τῶν γε μετὰ τὴν Ῥωμαϊκὴν ἐν Βαΐαις δεύτερα, ἐκείνοις δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν ἕτερα παραβαλέσθαι· πορεύονται δὲ εἰς τὰ Γάδαρα κατὰ τὴν ὥραν τοῦ ἔτους. ὁ μὲν ἐτύγχανε λούμενος, οἱ δὲ καὶ συνελοῦντο, καὶ περὶ τῶν αὐτῶν ἐνέκειντο. μειδιάσας δὲ ὁ Ἰάμβλιχος, "ἀλλ' οὐκ εὐσεβὲς μέν," ἔφη "ταῦτα ἐπιδεί5.2.3 κνυσθαι, ὑμῶν δὲ ἕνεκε πεπράξεται." <καὶ> τῶν θερμῶν κρηνῶν δύο, τὰς μικροτέρας μέν, τῶν δὲ ἄλλων χαριεστέρας, ἐκέλευσεν ἐκπυνθάνεσθαι τοὺς ὁμιλητὰς παρὰ τῶν ἐπιχωρίων ὅπως ἐκ παλαιοῦ προσωνομάζοντο. οἱ δὲ τὸ προσ ταχθὲν ἐπιτελέσαντες, "ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔστι γε πρόφασις·" εἶπον, "ἀλλ' αὕτη μὲν Ἔρως καλεῖται, τῇ παρακειμένῃ δὲ Ἀντέ5.2.4 ρως ὄνομα." ὁ δὲ εὐθὺς ἐπιψαύσας τοῦ ὕδατος (ἐτύγχανε δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς κρηπῖδος κατὰ τὴν ὑπέρκλυσιν καθήμενος), καὶ βραχέα τινὰ προσειπών, ἐξεκάλεσεν ἀπὸ τῆς κρήνης κάτω5.2.5 θεν παιδίον. λευκὸν ἦν τὸ παιδίον καὶ μετρίως εὐμέγεθες, καὶ