Peregrinus Proteus
Peregrīnus Proteus
A Cynic philosopher of Parium who flourished during the reign of the Antonines in the second century A.D. As a young man he was a notorious profligate, but afterwards turned Christian during a visit to Palestine. Later he became a Cynic and travelled about from place to place seeking notoriety. He finally decided to burn himself to death in public at the Olympic Games, and executed this purpose in A.D. 165. An account of his life was written by Lucian, who was present at his death-scene. See Gell. xi. 13.