Apollonius and the Rulers of the Empire
But
not only did Apollonius vivify and reconsecrate the old centres of
religion for some inscrutable reason, and do what he could to help on
the religious life of the time in its multiplex phases, but he took a
decided, though indirect, part in influencing the destinies of the
Empire through the persons of its supreme rulers.
This influence, however, was invariably of a moral and not of a political nature. It was brought to bear by
means
of philosophical converse and instruction,by world of mouth or letter.
Just as Apollonius on his travels conversed on philosophy, and
discoursed on the life of a wise man and the duties of a wise ruler,with
kings, [He spent, we are told, no less than a year and eight months
with Vardan, King of Babylon, and was the honoured guest of the Indian
Râjâh “Phraotes.”] rulers, and magistrates, so he endeavoured to advise
for their good those of the emperors who would listen to him.Vespasian,
Titus, and Nerva were all, prior to their elevation to the purple,
friends and admirers of Apollonius, while Nero and Domitian regarded the
philosopher with dismay.During Apollonius’ short stay in Rome, in 66
A.D., although he never let the slightest word escape him that could be
construed by the numerous informers into a treasonable utterance, he was
nevertheless brought before Tigellinus, the infamous favourite of Nero,
and subjected to a severe cross-examination.Apparently up to this time
Apollonius working for the future, had confined his attention entirely
to the reformation of religion and the restoration of the ancient
institutions of the nations, but the tyrannical conduct of Nero, which
gave peace not even to the most blameless philosophers, at length opened
his eyes to a more immediate evil, which seemed no less than the
abrogation of the liberty of conscience by
an irresponsible tyranny. From this time onwards, therefore, we find him keenly interested in the persons
of
the successive emperors.Indeed Damis, although he confesses his entire
ignorance of the purpose of Apollonius’ journey to Spain after his
expulsion from Rome, would have it that it was to aid the forthcoming
revolt against Nero. He conjectures this from a three days’ secret
interview that Apollonius had with the Governor of the Province of
Bætica, who came to Cadiz especially to see him, and declares that the
last words of Apollonius’ visitor were: “Farewell, and remember Vindex”
(v 10). It is true that almost immediately afterwards
the revolt of Vindex, the Governor of Gaul, broke out, but the whole
life and character of Apollonius is opposed to any idea of political
intrigue; on the contrary, he bravely withstood tyranny and injustice to
the face. He was opposed to the idea of Euphrates, a philosopher of
quite a different stamp, who would have put an end to the monarchy and
restored the republic (v 33); he believed that government by a monarch
was the best for the Empire, but he desired above all other things to
see the “flock of mankind” led by a “wise and faithful shepherd” (v
35).So that though Apollonius supported Vespasian as long as he worthily
tried to follow out this ideal, he immediately rebuked him to his face
when he deprived the Greek cities of their privileges. “You have
enslaved Greece,” he wrote. “You have reduced a free people to slavery”
(v 41). Nevertheless, in spite of this rebuke, Vespasian in his last
letter to his son Titus, confesses that they are what they are solely
owing to the good advice of Apollonius (v 30).Equally so he journeyed to
Rome to meet Domitian face to face, and though he was put on trial and
every effort made to prove him guilty of treasonable plotting with
Nerva, he could not be convicted of anything of a political nature.
Nerva was a good man, he told the emperor, and no traitor. Not that
Domitian had really any suspicion that Apollonius was personally
plotting against him; he cast him into prison solely in the hope that he
might induce the philosopher to disclose the confidences of Nerva and
other prominent men who were objects of suspicion to him, and who he
imagined had consulted Apollonius on their chances of success.
Apollonius’ business was not with politics, but with the “princes who
asked him for his advice on the subject of virtue” (vi 43).
Apollonius of Tyana
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- Apollonius Of Tyana Introduction
- The Religious Associations and Communities of the ...
- India and Greece
- The Apollonius of Early Opinion
- Texts, Translations, and Literature
- The Biographer of Apollonius
- Apollonius of Tyana Early Life
- The Travels of Apollonius
- In the Shrines of the Temples and the Retreats of ...
- The Gymnosophists of Upper Egypt
- Apollonius and the Rulers of the Empire
- Apollonius The Prophet and Wonder-Worker
- Apollonius of Tyana Mode of Life
- Himself and His Circle
- Apollonius Of Tyana Sayings and Sermons
- From His Letters
- The Writings of Apollonius
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