Aug. 11th, 2023

sdi: Oil painting of the Heliconian Muse whispering inspiration to Hesiod. (Default)

I've seen a little legend referenced in a number of places concerning Rome, a Plague, and the three magi tasked with ending it. I managed to track down the reference: it comes from Anastasius Sinaita, Quæstiones et Responsiones:

When Rome was suffering from a plague, the emperor Domitian summoned three magi to the city and asked for their help. Apuleius [of Madaura, Platonist and author of the Golden Ass,] told the emperor that he could put an end to the plague in a third of the city within fifteen days. Apollonius [of Tyana, Pythagorean and wandering miracle worker,] claimed that he could perform the same feat in another third of the city within only ten days. But Julianus [the Theurgist, author of the Chaldean Oracles], objecting that the plague would destroy the city before fifteen days could pass, put an end to it immediately in the remaining third of the city. Domitian then asked Julianus to free the other two-thirds of Rome from the plague, and he quickly did so.

It is, of course, a very doubtful story, as it is clearly hagiographic and the lifetimes of the four people in question don't align.

sdi: Oil painting of the Heliconian Muse whispering inspiration to Hesiod. (Default)

Diogenes to Crates.

Don't forget that I gave you your life-long poverty. Try not to lose it, and neither let anyone else steal it from you, since it's likely that the Thebans—deeming you unhappy—will accost you. But consider your ragged cloak a lion's skin, your staff a club, and your wallet the land and sea which feed you: for thus would the spirit of Heracles, mightier than every turn of fortune, stir in you.

...but if you happen to have any lupines or dried figs left, please send them to me.

(Cynic Epistles, Diogenes XXVI, as adapted by yours truly.)

June 2025

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