Damian of Ephesus

Damian of Ephesus (Ancient Greek: Δαμιανός, fl. 2nd century AD) was a member of the Second Sophistic who lived in Ephesus. He is best known as a source for Philostratus, the author of Lives of the Sophists, for his biographies of Aelius Aristides and Adrianus,^[1] as well as being a philanthropolist in his home town.

He was born to a wealthy and distinguished family, and was a student of Aristides and Adrianus. As a sophist, Damian not only taught in Ephesus, but he provided funds to support the city's poor and contributed funds to restore public buildings.^[2] Notable buildings include an elaborate marble portico to connect the city to the Temple of Artemis, and a large dining hall in the sanctuary of the Temple.^[3]

Damian married the daughter of Publius Vedius Antoninus, a leading decurion of Ephesus; their descendants became members of the Roman Senate, including three consuls and two wives of consuls.^[4]

References

^ Lives of the Sophists, II.23.4
^ G.W. Bowersock, Greek Sophists in the Roman Empire (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1969), p. 27
^ Bowersock, Greek Sophists, p. 28
^ Bowersock, Greek Sophists,p. 47

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[1] Lives of the Sophists, II.23.4

[2] G.W. Bowersock, Greek Sophists in the Roman Empire (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1969), p. 27

[3] Bowersock, Greek Sophists, p. 28

[4] Bowersock, Greek Sophists,p. 47

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