Sophist, of Antioch, in the time of the emperor Julian and down to the elder Theodosius. His father was Phasganius; he was a pupil of Diophantus.[1] His innumerable writings include an Encomium to the emperor Constantius; another [encomium] to Julian; rhetorical declamations; and letters. This man was a contemporary of Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian.[2]
Julian the Apostate,[3] despite being engaged in such important matters, was reaching for distinction in rhetoric. He expressed especial admiration for the sophist of Antioch, named Libanius - partly, perhaps, in genuine praise of him, but also to cause distress to the great sophist Prohaeresius by giving someone else more honour.[4] At any rate, a certain Acacius,[5] someone who was eloquent in rhetoric, and Tuscianus of Phrygia, constantly criticised him for this and found fault with his judgments.[6]