Lucian

Orestis Karavas (University of the Peloponnese)

Ed. by Vaios Liapis, Open University of Cyprus
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.1: Greek Writing and Culture: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Imperial, -800--100.
Vol. editors: Jonathan Burgess (University of Toronto), Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Vaios Liapis (Open University of Cyprus), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Mali Skotheim (Ashoka University), Laura Swift (The Open University), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool)

Dates

Born c. 120
Died c. 180
Activity c. 140-c. 180

Places

Born in Turkey
Active in Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire)

Activities

Primary

Satirist

Resources

Lucian's Works

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Lucian was born in Samosata, the capital of Commagene, in Syria (in modern times Samsat in southeastern Turkey), at ca. 120 CE, and died a little after 180 CE. We have no precise information on his life, and we have to rely entirely on the biographical elements he provides in his works – presuming of course that they are authentic rather than mere fiction. According to his dialogue

The Double Indictment or Trials by Jury

, he was of “barbarian”, i.e. non-Greek origin. He learned to write Greek in a cultured style at the school of rhetoric, and later on became a professional sophist himself (practically, a professor of rhetoric) in Antioch and Athens. We also know that he accepted a public officer’s position in Egypt. His life was full of journeys. Starting from Syria, he traveled…

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1086 words

Citation: Karavas, Orestis. "Lucian". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 May 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2811, accessed 21 November 2024.]