Libanius

LIBANIUS (A.D. 314-393) was one of the last great publicists and educators of Greek paganism. His story, as presented in his 'Autobiography' (Oration I) and the 'Life' by Eunapius, is supplemented by information from a correspondence of over 1500 items (dated A.D. 355-365 and A.D. 388-393) and 64 extant orations. Sophistic works of various types, including the 'Hypotheses of Demosthenes' Orations', complete the corpus of his works. He was born in Antioch of respectable municipal family and, after study at Athens, began his teaching career in Constantinople in 340, but soon had to retire to…