Aedesius

(Αἰδέσιος), a Cappad ocian, called a Platonic or perhaps more correctly an Eclectic philosopher, who lived in the fourth century, the friend and most distinguished disciple of Iambilichus. After the death of his master the school of Syria was dispersed, and Aedesius fearing the real or fancied hostility of the Christian emperor Constantine to philosophy, took refuge in divination. An oracle in hexameter verse represented a pastoral life as his only retreat, but his disciples, perhaps calming his fears by a metaphorical interpretation, compelled him to resume his instructions. He settled at Pergamus. where he numbered among his pupils the emperor Julian. After the accession of the latter to the imperial purple he invited Aedesius to continue his instructions, but the declining strength of the sage being unequal to the task, two of his most learned disciples, Chrysanthes and Eusebius, were by his own desire appointed to supply his place. (Eunap. Vit. Aedes.) [B.J]

(Αἰδέσιος). A Cappadocian, a Platonic, or more correctly an Eclectic, philosopher, who lived in the fourth century A.D., and was the friend and most distinguished scholar of Iamblichus (q.v.). After the death of his master, the school of Syria was dispersed, and Aedesius, fearing the real or fancied hostility of the Christian emperor Constantine to philosophy, took refuge in divination. An oracle in hexameter verse represented a pastoral life as his only retreat; but his disciples, perhaps calming his fears by a metaphorical interpretation, compelled him to resume his instructions. He settled at Pergamos, where he numbered among his pupils the Emperor Julian. After the accession of the latter to the imperial purple, he invited Aedesius to continue his instructions, but the philosopher, being unequal to the task through age, sent in his stead Chrysanthes and Eusebius , his disciples. See his life by Eunapius.