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A00437 The lyves, of philosophers and oratours: vvritten in Greeke, by Eunapius, of the cittie of Sardeis in Lydia. Brought into light, translated into Latine, and dedicated to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie, our moste gracious princesse and soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth. By the great learned man, Hadrianus Iunius Hornanus. 1568. And now set foorth in English, at his request: and dedicated to the right Honourable, the Lord Chauncellour of England. 1579; Vitae sophistarum. English Eunapius, ca. 345-ca. 420.; Junius, Hadrianus, 1511-1575. 1579 (1579) STC 10566; ESTC S101779 59,568 112

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Porphyrius to ende with Plato and his tyme. Sotion as appeareth went furder though Porphyrius was of later dayes The time betwene not being sufficiently set forth for the worthinesse diuersitie of the Philosophers and vertue of the Drators Philostratus of Lemnus dyd briefly runne ouer the lyues of the best with singular grace But none dyd wryte eractly of them among whome was Ammonius of Egipt the maister of diuine Plutarche and Plurarche himselfe that was the beuty and armony of all Philosophy Also Euphrares of Egipt Dion of Bithyn●a who had the surname of Golden mouth and Appolonius Tranaeus not a Philosophex only but a meane thing betwene the Gods and men who being a louer of Pythagoras doctrine dyd teach it most diuiuely and effectually of whome Philostratus of Lemnius did write exquisitly intituling his bookes The lyfe of Appolonius where he should rather haue termed it The cōming of a God to men In the which time Carneades was famous among the brutish sect that was called Cynickes If any regard is to be had of that sort of the which was Musonius Demetrius and Menippus with some other but these were most notable And albeit that no man as far as I know haue so set forth their lyues as they maye be knowen plainly and perfectly yet their writings may sufficiently expresse their lyues being so full of learning and knowledge searching morall vertues and naturall causes as they may expell ignorance out of the minde of their Scholers as a certaine darknes Diuine Plutarche noting his owne lyfe and his Maisters in his Bookes here and there sayth that Ammonius dyed at Athens And although the chiefe of his workes be called Lyues Compared of most worthy men according to their actes and deedes Yet he sprinkleth his owne life and his Maisters in euery seuerall booke So as if a man wyll looke narowly vpon them and search howe euery thing fell out and circumspectly examine each parte he may collect a great processe of their lyues Lucian of Samoseta a man made to moue laughter dyd write the lyfe ▪ of Demonactes a Philosopher of his tyme 〈◊〉 An that booke vsing persyt diligence which he dyd n●●● wether My meaning is to bring matter to memorie not ignoraunt that some things paraduenture be hydden from vs and some be not bestowing all my care and study in this poinct that I myght forme a continuall and exact description of the lyues of most excellent men in Philosophie and cloquence And if I do not obtaine my desire I shall haue the lucke that carnest feruent Louers hath For they beholding their Lady and leeing her bewty euidently looke downe their eyes being daselied not able to fasten their syght But if they see her trim face her braue collour and gaye eareringes they gather hart and they fixe their eye and spende the tyme vpon that shew abyding and continuing rather in delyght of Ornamentes to bewty then of ●ewty it selfe Likewise I hauing directed myne earnest endeuour to this kinde of wryting what I could heare or learne of men of mine age would not let them passe with sylence for any contrarie affection but to my power honoring the entry and doore of the trueth that I might delyuer it to them that shall come after that either wyll heare or can folow that which is best Thorough common calamities the time hath had a cutting and a breaking off At the first there was great plenty of learned men but after Platoes tyme great want is shewed to bee of all euen to the reignes of Claudius and Nero. As for those vnhappy that had but a yeares space as Galba Vitellius and Otho they are not to be wrytten of But Vespasian and Titus them that raigned after them that we shoulde not seeme of purpose to prosecute that but rather to speake ouerly at once that the best sort of Philosophers continued to Seuerus tyme and had their Historie happely ioygned with the Emperours that excellent vertue might be accompanied with fauorable fortune Let no man finde faulte if we so describe the time as we might be the better able to make coniecture and take a conuenient be ginning to proceede in the processe that we haue ●nterprised Plotinus PLotinus was a Philosopher of Egipt and because I name the Countrie I wil adde also the Citty where he was borne which they call Lycopolis Although diuine Porphyrius did not wright it affirming he was his Scholler and spent either all or the moste part of his life with him The Alters of Plotinus be yet warme and his bookes in the hands of the learned more then Plato and the common forte though they reade not his precepts yet they forme their liues according to the same Porphyrius did expresse euery part of his life so as no man can say more Yea it seemeth he did interpret many of his bookes But the life of Porphyrius no man that I know hath hithertoo written Therefore as much as I can gather by tokens according to my knowledge thus much haue I learned of him Porphyrius TYrus was the Countrey of Porphyrius the theife City of the auncient Phenitians His parentes were of good estate He being brought vp in learning proceeded and continued till he was Longinus Scholler and in short time was an ornament to his Maister Longinus was at that time a liuely library and a florishing studye to whom authoritie was giuen to iudge of the former learned mē as before him diuerse others and Dionisius of Caria most notable of all Porphyrius was fyrst named Malcus after the Sirian tongue which signifying a Prince Longinus called him Prophirius turning the name of a Kinge into the purple colour that kinges did weare With him he was trayned with singuler learning not inferiour to him neither in humanity nor eloquence yet he passed not of that but gaue his whole study to Philosophie Longinus was accompted with the moste extellent men of his time and his bookes were so plentifull as they brought an admiration to him If other men did reprooue any of the auncients his sentence was not approoued tyll Longinus confirmed it Porphirius being thus instructed and in great expectation of all men had a great desire to see Rome that was Ladye of the worlde that he might winne that Cittie to the study of Sapience beyng come and entred into societie with the great Plotinus he refused all other and gaue himselfe wholy to him of whose doctrine being greedy with out sarietie as himselfe saide he spent the time in hearing of those deuine lessous that issewed from that flowing Fountaine At length being ouercome with the vehemencie of those speeches it greeued him he had a body and was mortall he sayled into Cicilia by the rocke Carybdis where they say Vilisses passed but he could abide to see no Cittie nor here mens voyces So dyd he leaue delight and dis●●se and went to
as a seasoning of the minde and a quiet Repose of Musies adhibited with the which naturall eloquence the companion of peace did so growe and plentifullye encrease and is so great in diuerse tongues as the greatest learned Embassadours of Princes be astonished and amased at it And I am of opinion that in a Royall race nothing can be procured or wished more ample glorious and excellent then these your two ornaments that is testimonies of God chiefly in this troublesome tempest of states By these two gardes I thinke that kingdoms are best and most surely defended that is by peace and by eloquence which maketh mindes to agree But why doo I moste gracious Queene stay in your praise the which the more I extoll the more I diminish But because I see the Dedications of bookes by a receiued and cōfirmed maner commonly to be directed to Princely persons for two causes ▪ eyther to get and deserue thanke of suche as they be or to prouide an helpe againste enme and poysoned tongues of slaunderers Of the which the first consideratiō seemeth to proceede from God to whom antiquitie as it is wel knowne being mindeful and thankeful of their benifits did offer the first fruits of their increase The secōd to rise of preseruatiues of the which great plentye was in great price with men of the olde time whose mindes were light of beleefe and possessed against poysonings and enchauntments I being perswaded yea compelled by both wayes haue presented to your moste gracious Maiestie Eunapius an olde wrighter of whom I haue spoken at large in his life both that I might gaine you by inuocation to my vowe with a reward not great but rare and of old money the which now cā abide the light by the benefit of the Presse and also the mouthe of lewde detractours to vse Catoes word that which thinkes nothing well done might be stopped by the glory of your name May it please your Maiestie to accept this laboure defend it with a gratious mighty hand and a cheerefull countenaunce of a Straunger but in time past an inhabitour longe time of your kingdome whom God moste good and mighty long preserue in safety to your Realme and to the Musies of Learninge From Harlem the Kal. of March. 1568. Hadrianus Iunius Hornanus A Verse called Acrostichis To the Queenes Maiestie By the Author EXcelling farre the blasing beame of Venus Starre so bright LYghtning most cleare of Vertues flame and plat of Pities forme INuiolate glistring stoure and ioye of Pallas prayse SEnt dovvne to vs from starry Pole to stablish equall right ANd lavves to men that are enclind to armes of mighty Mars BY beating dovvne Bellonas force to spread to all the vvorlde EXquisite encrease of vvitte immortall honorsure TO vvhome is geuen so great a zeale good learning to augment HEauenly O Princesse pure and onely Phenix of all Queenes ABoue the Starres and both the Poles your fame is so enhaunst AS by the gift of sugred mouth you mounte aboue the skies NEctar the drink of Gods do flovv from your most eloquent tongue GReece may hyde their Aspasia and Rome their Gracchus mother LEauing of to praise the paterns of their florishing stile IOue vvould vse none other speech nor yet the Musies nyne ETernall same to auncient Brute posterity shall giue FOr from the furdest parte of Spaine vnto the race of Rome REnovvmed is in you the grace of passing naturall phrase ACcept this booke euen novv dravvn frō the vvell of Grekish spring NOble is the vvorke and of Eunapius learned hand CItisine of Sardis royall seate of Craesus land IN vvhich he doth extoll the minds vvith fame rote frō heauen ETernally of vvorthy men toflye aboue the Starres HIstory of his tyme he vvrites vvith quicke and perfit course IOying that he is released from darke and helly denne BLeamished vvith putrifaction spild vvith vvormes mothes ESteeme the minde though symple be the gift for such a Prynce RVde Incense and Sacrifice doth please the Gods sometyme NO faulte they fynde vvith homely stuffe so seasoned be the hart IMbrace therfore vvith gratious hand and eyes of princely looke EQually euen as the Sunne doth shyne vpon the vvorlde QValifying the gift according to the gyuers vvyll VSing to send his light at large to all the other Starres EXamine our endeuour by measure not by vvaight ROyall Queene honor of the state and fort of Brittons vvealth EXempt our vvorke from Momus vvrest and people of euil tongues G'Ard vs from their bytter galles by your most sacred speech INconquerable so Pallas you make against your foes NAturall pearle of nourishing peace the Gods you so maintaine ANd cause you for to liue aboue Sybillas auncient yeares ❧ Hadrianus Iunius of Harlem D. in Physicke to the gentle Reader CYrus in Xenophon beeing at the poynt of death did admonish his Children that the moste holsome and best doctrine was to be gathered of examples passed They can be found in no place so purely as in Histories which some haue called the Mistresse of Lyfe and the soule of trueth wherin both the matter and acts of priuate men and also vniuersal affaires be propounded to be red as in a Glas before the eyes I being wholy addicted to this labour whiles I make an History of my Country to instruct the present age and our posteritie I was the firste that tooke in hand to enterpre●e Eunapius a Greeke wrighter by leysure pulled out of darkenes yet maymed and spotted in manye places and as obscure as might be for the short Phrase of speaking peculiar to the nature of that age Notwithstanding it hath pleasantnesse instilling an higher puritie of doctrine in the minde and deliuereth knowledge of things omitted and vnknown of other wrighters Also more destrous to expresse the sentence then the stile and conduct of the wordes and rather to cleane to the eares then ouer varely to leaue them And though be inueieth somewhat sharply against Monkes in whose contemplations the foundation of Christian Religion was layd taught in the time of Constantine the great who woulde not suffer that an Infidell and an enemye of the faith and trueth Seeing we suffer reade cary about and weare with handes both night and day Porphirius the aduersary of Christianitye Luciane the obstinate scorner of our Sauiour and Iuliane the reuolter persecutor of the Galilees for so doth he call thē that profes Christ whom if he had had longer life he would vtterly haue bestroyed Therfore good men shall take an iniurye spoken of a common enemye of Christes name as not spoken and cast it forth and contemne it Yea shall rather turne the scorne into their glory Farewell and enioy An Ogdoasticon that is eight Greeke Versies Written by Gerarde Phalcepurgie of Nimega touching Eunaplus and his Craustatour Hadrianus Iunius To this senc● BLinde darkenes held Eunapius long that truly wrote y liues Of many Philosophers Physitians and Oratours Whom Sambucus worthy of prayse and ready to
Lelibaeuin one of the three Forelands of Cicilia towarde Affrica There he lay in paine and passions refusing all meate and forsaking all men The great Plotinus was not deceyued herein but eyther by following his steppes or seeking for him found him out where he was layde and by good words so comforted him as he called againe the life that was going from the body and made it able to retaine the same So as he recouered and was safe and after wrote the talke that was between them But the secretes of Philosophie being hydden as Poetry in Fables Porphyrius finding the remedy to make them manifest with praise of his experience dyd write a Treatise of them and gaue lyght vnto them Then he returned to Rome and renewed his study shewing proofe of it publiquely The glory of Porphyrius redounded to Plorinus by whome both the Senate and the people knew he was enstructed Plotinus seemed harde darke for the diuine and obscure subtiltie of his wordes and workes But Porphyrius as a Cheane of Mercury ful of variety of learning sent amōg men declared euery thing firmly and plainly For he sayth in a place which paradventure he wrote when he was young that he had reuelation of more diuine knowledge then the common sort And in the same booke he wryteth howe a man should apply his diligence vpon such matter He saith further that he droue a deuil out of a Bathe whome the inhabitaunts called Causanthan His chiefe Scholefelowes as himselfe writeth were Origenes Amelius and Aquilinus and that they wrote some Bookes but their style was barren though their precepts were good aptly set forth in words Yet Porphyrius prayseth them for their grauitie he receyuing all the thanks and onely celebrating and setting forth his Maister being endued with al kind of knowledge A man may doubt and maruayle wherin he dyd most excell Whether in the Arte of Rethorike or exact knowledge of the groundes of Grammer in the science of numbring or in Geometry or Musicke For Philosophie neyther left he any thing vnknowen neyther coulde he well expresse what he knew For natural and diuine knowledge I leaue them to Religion and Misteries Such a generall knowledge had he in all manner of vertue that a man may doubt whether the pleasantnes of his Orations or the pithinesse of his precepts or the vehemencie of his speaches deserueth more prayse It seemeth he was maried to Marcella for there is a Booke directed to Marcella his wife whome he sayth he maryed being mother to liue Children not to haue Chyldren by her but to teach her Chyldren which she had by a friend of his It seemeth also he lyued tyll he was olde wherby he left some workes contrary to his former wrytings Of the which I can not iudge the cause but that in tyme he thought otherwyse They say he dyed at Rome at which tyme Paulus and Andromacus of Syria were rectors of Rethorike in Athens And it is very lyke it was about the tyme of Galienus Claudius Tacitus Aurelianus and Probus In whose dayes Dexippus lyued that wrote a story of that tyme a man fulfylled with all learning and good vertues Jamblicus NExt these Iamblicus was the Philosopher of most fame He was of good byrth from wealthy and fortunate Parents His Countrey was Calcide which is a Citie of the hollow part of Syria He was familiar with Anatolius who after Porphyrius was most esteemed and passed him farre and atteyned to the heyght of Philosophy After him he ioygned with Porphyrius to whome he was not inferior but in purity and pyth of style For he dyd not vse his speach with sweetnes delyght nor had any clearenes nor ioyed in neate phrases Yet was he not vtterly obscure nor faulty in his style but as Plato sayth of Xenocrates he dyd not sacrifice to the graces of Mercurie Therfore he doth not deteyne his Auditor nor allure him to reade but rather affray him and turneth him from it For his keeping of Iustice he was so fauord of the Gods as multitudes resorted vnto him from euery place to be partakers of his doctrine of whome who was the best it is harde to tell For there was Sopater of Syria who was most eloquent in worde and wryting Aedesius and Eustathius of Cappadocia Theodorus and Euphrasius of Grecia which excelled in vertue and many other not much inferiour in eloquence It is a wonder how he could please all He was sree to euery of them He dyd lytle for him selfe without his Disciples and fellowes and that for a respect to god He accompanied much with his friendes His dyet was symple and alter the olde manner He cheered his guests and fylled them with his sweete talkes They that were not wery nor full of his discourses were his common guests They that durst best speake would come foorth and saye O most diuine Maister why art thou so alone Why doest thou not imparte thy rare Sapience to vs A talke is tolde vs by thy seruaunts that when thou art at thy prayers thou art taken vp ten cubytes hygh and that thy body and garment is turned into colour of fayre golde And when thy prayers are done thy body returneth to his old estate as it was before thou dyddest pray and commeth to the groūd againe and than thou l●ttest vs haue thy company At these wordes Iamblicus laugh●d not being very prone to laughter and sayd He was no foole that hath deceyued you thus But from henceforth I wyl do nothing without you Thus he shewed himselfe and it came to the wryters knowledge by Chrysanthius his Scholemaister that was of Sardis and he was very samiliar Scholler with Aedesius and Aedesius one of the chefe with Iamblicus and of them that vsed the aboue written wordes to him Furthermore he shewed great demonstration of his diuine knowledge after this sorte The Sunne dyd shew vpon the extreme partes of the Orizon when he entreth into the sygne of the Dogge at which tyme a Sacrifice was woont to be made in one of the Suburbs And when all was well fynished they returned into the Cittie going leysurely for they had a talke of God agreeing with the Sacrifice Than the voyce fayled and he fyxing his eyes on the ground for a tyme looked vpon his friends and cryed to them Let vs go another way for a dead body is caryed not farre of When he had thus sayde he tooke another way as he thought more pure Some followed him thynking it a shame to leaue their Maister But the more part and youthfull sort among whome was Aedesius thought it a superstitious poynt and lyke Houndes that hunted after their game went on their way They had not gone farre but they met with the buriers of the dead Corps dyd not leaue it so but asked them if they went that way they sayde they must needes for there was none other This dyd the
the grounde these fyue yeares by the course of the Sunne For of it selfe ryches shall growe of this grounde and encrease And thy Daughter shall not be as an humaine woman but thou shalt conceyue a greater opinion of her Therfore if thou hast good wyll receyue with both hands that we haue offred But if thou hast any suspition we haue sayd nothing The Father in feare sylence delyuered his daughter to them and calling his Farmor sayde Whatsoeuer these olde men require let them haue it and medle no further When he had thus sayd he departed before day as forsaking both his house and his Daughter They receyuing the chylde whether they were wyse men or Spyrites of rare diuine kinde with what mysteries they brought vp the young Mayde no man can tell and it is in certaine though the search be great with what diuination they inspyred the Chylde The tyme appoynted was come and euery thing prooued of the ground as was spoken The Father was come and knew not his Daughter Neyther for the growth of her person nor for the encrease of her beautie And she knewe not her Father he saluting her so reuerently as though he had saluted a Straunger When the Teachers were come and the table couered they sayde Aske the Virgin what you wyll Aske O Father what hath chaunced all your iourney He geuing her leaue to speake she tolde him all the happes that he had had in his Chariot the woordes the rebukes the feares as though she had bene in Chariot with them and brought her Father into such a wonder as at the fyrst he was in a maze more then in a maruayle and beleeued the Mayde to be a Goddesse Then kneeling to the men prayed them to tell who they were They hardly and at length for so it might be Goddes pleasure sayde They were of the Sapience called Caldaicall not prophane And not without some misterie looked downe Then he kneeled againe and prayed them to be Lordes of the ground and to keepe his Chylde with them to instruct her further in diuinity They nodded that so they would doo saying nothing And he as hauing a promise and an Oracle had good comfort in himselfe yet knew not the secretes and with him selfe praysed Homer that hath shewed of such diuine deedes that cannot be vnderstanded for the straunge and diuine matter The Goddes be turned to diuers shapes as please them nowe and then When Cities they wyll cause to seeme a race of new founde men For he thought that Goddes woulde be turned to straunge men And being rauished with the thing he fel a sleepe They going from Supper and taking the Child with them deliuered vnto her very gently the Robe wherwith she was inuested with knowledge to the which they added diuerse other ornamēts They wylled her to locke the Casket wherin all these things were put gaue her certaine bookes besyde She honoured them no lesse then her Father Day being come and the doores opened and men gone to their worke they also went out as they were woont The Chyld ranne to her father carying her Casket and good newes He hauing learned of his seruaunts what increase he had and what was to be done called for the men But they were gone and no more seene Then he sayde to Sosipatra what meaneth this O Daughter She staying a whyle sayd Now I remember what they sayd at their delyuering of me these things weeping Looke daughter for we must go to the west Oceane and shortly returne againe The which doth manifestly declare that they be Spirits And whether soeuer they be gone thus they went from me The father esteeming his chyld to be sacred with diuine modesty suffred her to lyue as she would not much moued with her but for her sylence When she was come to rype yeares she had without booke the bookes of Poets hauing none other Teachers of Philosophers and Oratours And that which others can hardly get with labour and trauayle of minde she without study did expresse with pleasure Mynding to marry she thought Eustathius only fyt for her Therfore thus she spake to Eustathius and them that were present Heare me Eustathius and be you wytnesse that be here I shall haue three Chyldren by thee and as touching the world they shal be all infortunate Against God no man can be Thou shalt haue before me a fayre and a worthy seate And I peraduenture shall haue a fayrer Thyne shal be about the Moone Thou shalt not teach nor play the Philosopher fully fiue yeares for so thy Phisnognomy telleth me But vnder the Moone thou shalt haue place with good and quiet motion I would say somewhat of my selfe but that I see the tyme would be to short for my speech and my destiny doth forbyd me When she had thus spoken fate so forcing she was ioygned to Eustathius The successe dyd differ nothing from her wordes so certaine was her diuination as all had bene done before This is to be added to the other things that after the death of Eustathius she came to her owne in Asia and remayned at old Pergamo Aedesius for good wyll taught her chyldren Philosophy albeit she had instructed them in her owne house And after Aedesius resorted to her no man esteemed his learning so as they dyd but euery man honoured the diuine knowledge of the woman Philometer her Nephew being ouercome with her beuty and also with her learning fell in loue with her Her rare gysts so surprised him that he could do nothing for that Likewise she was in loue with him Wherfore she went to Maximus who was most familyar with Aedesius and of his kyndred Maximus sayd she take order for my griefe that I be not molested He asked what the matter was She answered What if it be Philometer Then it is he in deede who differeth not from any of you Yet when I see him depart my hart burneth turneth at his departure Therfore deale friendly with me and tell me what is best for me Maximus was not a lytle proude as being spoken to from a Goddesse that such a one should committe such a matter to him Philometer continued in his purpose Maximus sought out the matter by Sacrifice and tooke great paines in a trifling cause When he had done he went to Sosipatra and asked her if she were styll troubled She sayde no And tolde his inuocation his Sacrifice and all the doing and tyme as if she had bene present at the appearing of all the visions Then he fell to the ground astonished and sayde she was a Goddesse Arise Sonne sayd she for the Gods loue thee because thou honourest them and doest not esteeme the worldly and vaine ryches When he heard this he went forth with great opinion of him selfe that he had the praise of so diuine a person Philometer with his companions gladsome met him at the gate Maximus a far off spake to him O friende
Cittie for he could well flatter and please the great men being thought seditious at Athens despised others and magnifyed him selfe Therfore he sent him thyther as not ignoraunt of that Citties subtilties For as touching his eloquence it is inough to say he was an Aegiptian For that Nation is giuen to Poetry insomuch as Mercurie when he had earnest businesse to do would not dwell with them Musonius his Disciple succeeded him in Rhetorique of whome we haue sayd aboundantly for other causes in our Histories He being appointed to aunswere and perceyuing with whome he had to doo leapt into ciuile causes He was put from teaching in Iulianus reigne because he was a Christian perceyuing that Ieraphantus as the God of Delphos dyd foresee things to come and tell them to the requirers that with great skyll and sleyght dyd intercept his knowledge The Emperour dyd affygne Landes to learned men that they should be exempt from trybute Proaeresius required him to shew by Oracle whether this lyberality shoulde be of continuaunce he denyed it The other by oth●r meane learning what would follow lyued more at quiet At this tyme the wryter being syxteene yeares of age entred Athens and was admitted his Scholler and loued as his sonne The fyfthe yeare he would haue gone into Aegipt but his friendes called him againe and set him to the study of Eloquence to the which euery man exhorted him Proaeresius dyed shortly after a man of such quality as all the worlde was fylled with his eloquence and inhabited of his Disciples Epiphanius HE was of Syria most wyttie in iudginge questions of controuersie but in Rhetorique not vehement He was one of Proaeresius tyme and attayned to great Fame Mans nature cannot abyde one to be praysed alone but for malice and enuie wherto they be enclined they set vp another against them that haue Fame and glory Making principles of contraries as they do in naturall Philosophy He dyed not very olde of bloody disease and his wife a very fayre woman suffred the lyke They had no chylde This wryter knew him not being long before his trauaile Diophantus DIophantus was of Arabia following Sciences The same opinion of men obiected him against Proaeresius as if a man woulde set Callimachus against Homer But Proaeresius laughed at these thinges and at the men that sought estimation in this behalf This wryter knew him and heard him many times openly declame which to put to the writinges aforesaid remember it seemeth not good For the memory is of worthy men not a wryting to be laughed at He made the funerall Oration of Proaeresius who dyed before him and thus they say he spake to Selamine and the Medians O Marathon and Salamine nowe you shal be in sylence What a trompe haue you lost of your prayses He left two sonnes geuen to pleasure and rytches Sopolis THis wryter dyd many tymes heare Sopolis He was a follower of y old speeche desyrous to attayne to a sounde doctrine He knocked at the doore oft ynough but it was open but syldome A soft weake sound dyd cracke from thence A lytle diuine breath issewed which pleased the audience But dyd not beare a way the flowing streame of the fountayne at Delphos He had a sonne who they say dyd ascend to the chayre of learning Himerius Blthyria brought forth this mā This wryter knew him not Yet he was of his tyme but was gone to the Emperour Iulianus to shew himself not to hinder Proaeresius was wel receyued of the Emperour Who being dead he continued his trauayle when Proaeresius was dead he came to Athens He was sweete and pleasant in his Orations He had a perswading way probable to the people and sometime not vnlyke to diuine Aristldes After his daughter he dyed in his age of the falling syeknesse Parnasius IN this tyme was Parnasius in the chayre and teaching Hauing scholers that might be well numbred yet of great name Libanius ANtioche brought forth Libanius the chiefe Citie of that part of Syria that is called Holow The worke of the noble Seleucus Nicator He was of a good house and taken with the best when he was young ruler of him selfe his Parents being dead he came to Athens neyther to Epiphanius nor Proaeresius that were of greatest name that he should not be obscure in such a nūber of scholers great glory of maisters Being caught with them of Diophantus he cloue to him but as they that knew him very well affirme among the scholers and familiars he was lytle conuersaunt neyther tedious to his maister But of him selfe followed the forme of auncient Rhetorique which he expressed both in tongue minde As they that oft do shoote somtyme do hyt the marke Diligence continuall in instruments bringeth an arte not a science So Libanius by zeale and imitation forcing him selfe to follow the olde Oratours that were accoumpted best made good steppes and passed thorough the most of the way Trusting in his eloquence and perswading him selfe to be equall with them that were in estimation he would not be hydden in a lytle Cittie but went to Constantinople a Cittie most famous and wealthy hauing neede of their wordes works that could set the same forth He quickly became notable there And after a tyme returned to his Countrey Where he continued all his lyfe which was long Wherfore the memory worthy his lyfe is shewed in our Chronicle of Iulianus actes Now his priuate doings are rehearsed None of his friendes or familiars went away without a taunt What euery mans maner was he well marked and vnderstoode his minde whether he enclined to vertue or vice Such a one he was in describing and vttering the condition of men all the which he dyd with a nyppe His familiars supposed to be in him an other him selfe Therfore his acquaintaunce sayd he was a table and Image of sundry facions Neyther coulde he be perceyued of his Scholers were they neuer so many to what part he enclined But to contrary nature of contrary maners he was lyked euen of them that were contrary to his profession So euery man dyd thinke to beholde their conditions alone in him not without admiration so diuers formes of sundry qualities were found in him at ones He also despised mariage yet he had a woman as his wyfe but not of lyke worthynesse His Orations were colde and barraine without lyfe so as in this poynt it seemed he was without a teacher For the common rules woont to be knowen to chyldren he knew not But in Epistles and such other lyke familiar talke he rose sufficiently to the auncient forme His wrytinges are full of grace and pleasantnesse of Comedy and acumlynes is to be founde scattered thorough his workes All the Syrophaenitians hath that manner of speech which may be taken of him by learning They of Attica calleth it sensyble and sharpe He laboured this