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

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 be a Christian), and observing that the hierophant was, like some Delphic tripod, dedicated to all who needed him for foresight of the future, by a 10.8.2 certain strange piece of wisdom he circumvented the prophecy. For the emperor was measuring the land for the Hellenes for the purposes of tribute, so that they should not be burdened; but Prohaeresius asked him to learn from the gods whether the acts of philanthropy would remain secure. And when he gave his answer, the one understood what was to be done, and was more cheerful. 10.8.3 And the author at this time, being about sixteen years of age, came to Athens and was mixed in with his fellow students; and being loved by him like a true son, he was hastening after the fifth year to Egypt, but his fathers calling him to Lydia forced him out; and for him the profession of a sophist lay ahead, and to this 10.8.4 all summoned him. But Prohaeresius departed from among men not many days later; having become so great and of such a kind, and having filled the world with his speeches and his pupils. EPIPHANIUS; this man was from Syria, and was reputed to be most skilled in the distinctions of problems, but rather weak in his style, nevertheless he was a rival sophist to Prohaeresius and achieved great fame; for human nature does not endure to admire one man, but being inclined and overcome by envy, it sets up another against those who are very powerful and pre-eminent, just as in natural philosophy we take our principles from opposites. 11.1.2 He died, not having reached a ripe old age, from a disease of the blood; and his wife suffered this same thing, she who was the most beautiful of all women. And they had no child. The one writing these things did not know him, as he had departed long before his own arrival. DIOPHANTUS. And Diophantus was from Arabia, and he forced his way among the technical rhetoricians; and that same opinion of men that raised up Prohaeresius also set him up in opposition, as though someone might set up a Callimachus against Homer. But Prohaeresius laughed at these things, and he held 12.1.2 men, such as they are, as a subject for his discourse. The author knew this man, and indeed often heard him speaking in public. But it seemed not at all good to place in this writing any of the things he said and remembered; for 12.1.3 this writing is a memorial of worthy men, not a mockery. But nevertheless he is said to have delivered a funeral oration for Prohaeresius (for Prohaeresius had departed first), and they remember that he uttered some such phrase concerning Salamis and the Median wars: "O 12.1.4 Marathon and Salamis, now you are silenced. What a trumpet of your trophies you have lost." This man left two sons who were bent on luxury and wealth. SOPOLIS. And the one writing these things often heard Sopolis. And he was a man who forced his style back to the ancient character, and strove to touch the wholesome Muse. But he knocked at the door well enough, but it was not opened often; but if ever anything sounded from there, something slight and weak slipped out from within of the 13.1.2 divine spirit; but the audience went mad, though they could not endure even a squeezed-out drop from Castalia. To this man a son was born; and that the son had mounted the throne

ταχὺ μάλα ἐπὶ τὴν πολιτικὴν κατεπήδησεν. 10.8.1 Ἰουλιανοῦ δὲ βασιλεύοντος, <ἐν> τόπῳ τοῦ παιδεύειν ἐξειργόμενος (ἐδόκει γὰρ εἶναι χριστιανός) συνορῶν τὸν ἱεροφάντην ὥσπερ ∆ελφικόν τινα τρίποδα πρὸς τὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος πρόνοιαν πᾶσι τοῖς δεομένοις ἀνακείμενον, σοφίᾳ 10.8.2 τινὶ περιῆλθε ξένῃ τὴν πρόγνωσιν. ἐμέτρει μὲν γὰρ ὁ βασιλεὺς τὴν γῆν τοῖς Ἕλλησιν εἰς τὸν φόρον, ὅπως μὴ βαρύνοιντο· ὁ δὲ Προαιρέσιος ἠξίωσεν αὐτὸν ἐκμαθεῖν παρὰ τῶν θεῶν, εἰ βέβαια μένει τὰ τῆς φιλανθρωπίας. ὡς δὲ ἀπέφησεν, ὁ μὲν ἔγνω τὸ πραχθησόμενον, καὶ ἦν εὐθυμότερος. 10.8.3 ὁ δὲ συγγραφεὺς κατὰ τουτονὶ τὸν χρόνον ἐς ἕκτον που καὶ δέκατον ἔτος τελῶν, παρῆλθέν τε εἰς τὰς Ἀθήνας καὶ τοῖς ὁμιληταῖς ἐγκατεμίγη· καὶ ἀγαπηθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ καθάπερ παῖς γνήσιος, ἠπείγετο μὲν μετὰ πέμπτον ἔτος εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον, οἱ δὲ πατέρες καλοῦντες ἐπὶ Λυδίας ἐξεβιάσαντο· κἀκείνῳ μὲν σοφιστικὴ προὔκειτο, καὶ πρὸς τοῦτο 10.8.4 ἐξεκάλουν ἅπαντες. Προαιρέσιος δὲ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀνεχώρει μετ' οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας· τοσοῦτος καὶ τοιοῦτος γενόμενος καὶ διαπλήσας τῶν ἑαυτοῦ λόγων τε καὶ ὁμιλητῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην. ἘΠΙΦΑΝΙΟΣ· οὗτος ἦν μὲν ἐκ Συρίας, δεινότατος δὲ εἶναι περὶ τὰς διακρίσεις δόξας τῶν ζητημάτων, τὸν δὲ λόγον ἀτονώτερος, ὅμως ἀντεσοφίστευσέν τε Προαιρεσίῳ καὶ εἰς πολὺ δόξης ἐχώρησεν· οὐ γὰρ φέρει τὸ ἀνθρώπινον ἕνα θαυμάζειν, ἀλλ' ἐγκεκλικὸς καὶ ἡττώμενον ὑπὸ φθόνου, τοῖς πολυκρατοῦσι καὶ ὑπερέχουσιν ἕτερον ἀντικαθίστησιν, ὥσπερ ἐν φυσικῇ τὰς ἀρχὰς ἐκ τῶν ἐναντίων λαμβάνοντες. 11.1.2 ἐτελεύτα δὲ οὐκ εἰς βαθὺ γῆρας ἀφικόμενος, τὸ αἷμα νοσήσας· καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ταὐτὸ τοῦτο ἔπαθε, καλλίστη πασῶν γενομένη. καὶ παιδίον οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς. τοῦτον ὁ ταῦτα γράφων οὐκ ἔγνω, πολὺ προαπελθόντα τῆς ἐπιδημίας. ∆ΙΟΦΑΝΤΟΣ. Καὶ ∆ιόφαντος ἦν μὲν ἐξ Ἀραβίας, καὶ εἰς τοὺς τεχνικοὺς ἐβιάζετο· ἡ δὲ αὐτὴ δόξα τῶν ἀνθρώπων Προαιρεσίῳ κἀκεῖνον ἀντήγειρεν, ὡσεὶ Καλλίμαχος Ὁμήρῳ τις ἀναστήσειεν. ἀλλ' ἐγέλα ταῦτα ὁ Προαιρέσιος, καὶ τοὺς 12.1.2 ἀνθρώπους ὅ τι εἰσὶν ἐν διατριβῆς εἶχεν [ἐν] μέρει. τοῦτον ἐγίγνωσκεν ὁ συγγραφεύς, καὶ ἠκροάσατό γε πολλάκις δημοσίᾳ λέγοντος. παραθεῖναι δὲ τῇ γραφῇ τῶν λεχθέντων καὶ μνημονευθέντων οὐδὲν ἐδόκει καλῶς ἔχειν· μνήμη γάρ 12.1.3 ἐστιν ἀξιολόγων ἀνδρῶν, οὐ χλευασμός, ἡ γραφή. ἀλλ' ὅμως ἐπιτάφιόν τε εἰπεῖν τινα τοῦ Προαιρεσίου λέγεται (προαπῆλθε γὰρ ὁ Προαιρέσιος), καί τι τοιοῦτο ἐπιφθέγξασθαι διαμνημονεύουσιν ἐπὶ τῇ Σαλαμῖνι καὶ τοῖς Μηδικοῖς· "ὦ 12.1.4 Μαραθὼν καὶ Σαλαμίν, νῦν σεσίγησθε. οἵαν σάλπιγγα τῶν ὑμετέρων τροπαίων ἀπολωλέκατε." οὗτος ἀπέλιπε δύο παῖδας ἐπὶ τρυφὴν καὶ πλοῦτον ὁρμήσαντας. ΣΩΠΟΛΙΣ. Καὶ Σωπόλιδος ἠκροάσατο πολλάκις ὁ ταῦτα γράφων. καὶ ἦν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸν ἀρχαῖον χαρακτῆρα τὸν λόγον ἀναφέρειν βιαζόμενος, καὶ τῆς ὑγιαινούσης Μούσης ψαύειν ὀριγνώμενος. ἀλλ' ἔκρουε μὲν τὴν θύραν ἱκανῶς, ἠνοίγετο δὲ οὐ πολλάκις· ἀλλ' εἴ πού τι καὶ ψοφήσειεν ἐκεῖθεν, λεπτόν τι καὶ ἀσθενὲς παρωλίσθαινεν ἔσωθεν τοῦ 13.1.2 θείου πνεύματος· τὸ δὲ θέατρον ἐμεμήνεσαν, οὐδὲ τὴν πε πιεσμένην ῥανίδα τὴν Κασταλίαν φέροντες. τούτῳ παῖς ἐγένετο· καὶ ἐπιβεβηκέναι τοῦ θρόνου τὸν παῖδα