Priscus of Epirus

Priscus (* probably above 305 in Epirus, † probably 395 or 396 ) was a late ancient philosopher ( Neoplatonist ). He was a friend and philosophical advisor to the Emperor Julian.

Swell

An important source of information are the Eunapius of Sardis, in his work Lives of the Philosophers and the Sophists. Eunapius treated Priscus relatively scarce. For further information, the Emperor Julian's letters, three of which are addressed to Priscus, as well as the letters and speeches of the famous orator Libanius refer to.

Life

Priscus came from Epirus; he was Thesprotians or Molosser. About his family of origin and childhood nothing is known. He was born in Pergamum in western Asia Minor students of the prestigious Neoplatonic philosophers Aidesios. Aidesios, a student of the famous Neoplatonist Iamblichus, had opened his own school after his death. To Priscus ' classmates at Pergamum included the philosopher Maximus of Ephesus, Eusebius of Myndos and Chrysanthios of Sardis. In addition to the teachings of Plato and Aristotle, which were interpreted in Neoplatonic sense, were also religious practices ( theurgy ) to the curriculum. Aidesios had high regard for Priscus.

When in 351 the later Emperor Julian Aidesios visited in Pergamon to participate in the lessons, Priscus had already completed his studies there and settled in Greece. He lived and taught in Athens and wrote a textbook on the philosophy of Aristotle. In Athens, where Julian was staying for study in the summer of 355, probably the first encounter of the future emperor with Priscus took place. Apparently Julian of Priscus was very impressed. Soon after, in November 355, Julian was appointed Caesar. In December he went to Gaul, where he assumed responsibility for the defense against the Germans. He invited Priscus, with whom he corresponded, to visit him. Priscus accepted the invitation and spent some time as a highly honored guest in Gaul. Upon his departure, the Caesar wrote a poem to his fame.

After his accession to power of (361) wanted to Julian, who was now looking to the renewal of the old religion on Neoplatonic basis, have his philosophical friends around him. He took Maximus of Ephesus and Priscus to his court to Constantinople Opel and made it his religious and philosophical counselors; about political competence to Priscus not have features. When Julian went up in preparation for his Persian campaign in the summer of 362 to Antioch, accompanied him. It succeeded Priscus, accompanied by a disharmony between the emperor and the orator Libanius. Also on the campaign against the Persians ( March-June 363 ) remained Maximus and Priscus with Julian; with them he led a philosophical conversation before he died on 26 June 363 at the suffered in combat wound. In the late autumn of 363 Priscus arrived back in Antioch.

Under Julian's successor Jovian Christian, who reigned only briefly, to Priscus of imperial benevolence pleased. After his death, he was arrested under the I and Valens from 364 ruling emperors Valentinian, because he was accused of a claim against the health of the ruler magic. However, this allegation was unsuccessful; Priscus was allowed to return to Greece. There he resumed his teaching career again and remained unmolested for the rest of his life.

Eunapius emphasizes Priscus ' excellent memory and his extensive knowledge of traditional teachings and mentioned his dislike of philosophical controversy. Priscus held contention for detrimental because it producing on the weaker side bitterness and a willingness to surrender to the destructive philosophy. Eunapius shares this view, but seems Priscus ' extreme secrecy to critically evaluate (in terms of sensitive parts of the religious- philosophical teachings ) and his strong sense of self-confidence.

Priscus was married to a woman named Hippia; The couple had several children.

Source expenditure

• Giuseppe Giangrande (ed.): Eunapii vitae sophistarum. Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Rome 1956
• Bertold K. Weis ( Eds.): Julian: letters. Heimeran, Munich 1973, p 36-41 and 257-260 ( three letters Julians to Priscus ), 48-51 and 264f. ( Mention of Priscus )