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date: 29 March 2023

Dio Cocceianuslocked

Dio Cocceianuslocked

  • M. B. Trapp

Extract

Dio Cocceianus, later surnamed Chrysostom (c.40/50-110/120 ce), Greek orator, writer, local politician and moralist, pursued a double career, as member of the governing elite of his home town of Prusa (Bithynia), and as public speaker and intellectual in pursuit of an international reputation. His oratorical ability took him at a relatively young age to the fringes of the Imperial court, where his contacts included the future Emperor Nerva. Under Domitian, another connection earned him a sentence of exile from Italy and Bithynia that was not rescinded until Nerva's accession in late 96. After his recall, Dio re-established himself at Prusa, and as an international speaker, making appearances in Tarsus and at Olympia, as well as in the cities of Bithynia. Pliny's letters to Trajan (Epp. 10.81-2) show him still engaged in local wrangles in 109/10. How close a relationship with Trajan he himself enjoyed in his later career is debatable.

Subjects

  • Greek Literature
  • Philosophy

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