Athenodorus Cananites | |
|---|---|
| Ἀθηνόδωρος Κανανίτης | |
 Athenodorus and the ghost, byHenry Justice Ford, c. 1900 | |
| Born | c. 74 BC |
| Died | 7 AD |
| Occupation(s) | Philosopher and teacher |
| Relatives | Sandon (father) |
| Philosophical work | |
| Era | Ancient philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Stoicism |
Athenodorus Cananites (Greek:Ἀθηνόδωρος Κανανίτης,Athenodoros Kananites; c. 74 BC – 7 AD) was aStoicphilosopher.
Athenodorus was born in Canana, nearTarsus (in modern-day Turkey); his father wasSandon.[1] He was a student ofPosidonius ofRhodes, and the teacher ofOctavian (the future Caesar Augustus) atApollonia. He was a personal friend ofStrabo, from whom we derive some knowledge of his life.[2]
In 44 BC, he seems to have followed Octavian to Rome and continued mentoring him there. He is reputed there to have openly rebuked the Emperor, and to have instructed him to recite the alphabet before reacting in anger. Later, Athenodorus returned to Tarsus, where he was instrumental in expelling the government ofBoethus of Cilicia and drafting a new constitution for the city, the result of which was a pro-Romanoligarchy.[3]
Athenodorus is also written of byPliny the Younger, who tells us of Athenodorus' renting of ahaunted house inAthens. Athenodorus was wary because the house was exceptionally cheap for its size. When Athenodorus was writing a book of philosophy, late at night, a ghost is said to have come to him. The ghost, who was bound with chains and leg irons, beckoned Athenodorus to follow him, but was allegedly indicated by Athenodorus to wait. After he finished his writing, the ghost led him to a courtyard, and suddenly vanished. Athenodorus marked the spot, and the next day, with the permission of the city magistrates, he dug up the earth from that spot, where he found the skeleton of an old man, bound with chains. After the skeleton was given a proper burial with full honours, the ghost was said to have never haunted that house again.[4] The legend corresponds toAarne-Thompson-Uther tale type 326A, "Soul Released from Torment."[5][6]
Strabo,Cicero, andEusebius regarded him highly. Works attributed to Athenodorus include:
None of these are extant, but he also assisted Cicero in writing hisDe Officiis and it has been suggested that his work may have influencedSeneca andSaint Paul.[3] Following his death, the people of Tarsus held an annual festival and sacrifice in his honour.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Athenodorus s.v.".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 831.| International | |
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