Routledge Philostratus Biography and Belles Lettres - Book

Explore the social and intellectual landscape of the early Roman Empire through this scholarly study of Philostratus. Originally published in 1986, this Routledge Revivals edition examines how the Greek biographer addressed both sophists and holy men. Readers gain access to the world of rhetorical schools and their internal rivalries. The text also provides a look at the distinctive literary personality of Philostratus, characterized by his unique perspective as a superficial dilettante and an engrossing snob. A major highlight of this work is the portrayal of the first-century holy man Apollonius of Tyana. This depiction offers a window into a figure often viewed by later Christian writers as a Pagan Christ. This book is an essential resource for those studying historical biography and the cultural shifts of the third century A.D.