Extract

Alexander (13) of Abonuteichos in *Paphlagonia. He was a contemporary of *Lucian whose bitterly hostile account, Alexander or the False Prophet, remains the most important source of information, although it must now be read together with the evidence of inscriptions, coins, and works of art.Alexander claimed to have a new manifestation of *Asclepius in the form of a snake called Glycon. A number of statues and statuettes have been discovered showing Glycon as a serpent with human hair—applied by Alexander, according to Lucian. Coins reveal that the birth of Glycon, described in detail by Lucian, took place in the reign of Antoninus Pius (Robert, 397–9: see bibliog. below) and that his cult gained very rapid acceptance. According to Lucian, this was the result of the oracles that Glycon provided in a variety of forms. After the cult was established, Alexander, who served as Glycon's prophet, or interpreter, created mysteries from which unbelievers, especially Christians and Epicureans, were excluded. *Marcus Aurelius recognized the cult by conferring status on Abonuteichos (thereafter known as Ionopolis) and Lucian mentions several consultants from the ranks of the imperial aristocracy, including Servianus, governor of Cappadocia in 161 ce, and Rutilianus, governor of Moesia around 150 and Asia between 161 and 163.