Damianus (fl. 2nd century AD) was a member of the Second sophistic who lived in

Ephesus Ephesus (; grc-gre, Ἔφεσος, Éphesos; tr, Efes; may ultimately derive from hit, 𒀀𒉺𒊭, Apaša) was a city in ancient Greece on the coast of Ionia, southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built i ...

. He is best known as a source for

Philostratus Philostratus or Lucius Flavius Philostratus (; grc-gre, Φιλόστρατος ; c. 170 – 247/250 AD), called "the Athenian", was a Greek sophist of the Roman imperial period. His father was a minor sophist of the same name. He was born probab ...

, the author of ''Lives of the Sophists'', for his biographies of

Aelius Aristides Publius Aelius Aristides Theodorus ( grc-gre, Πόπλιος Αἴλιος Ἀριστείδης Θεόδωρος; 117–181 AD) was a Greek orator and author considered to be a prime example as a member of the Second Sophistic, a group of celebra ...

and Adrianus, as well as being a philanthropolist in his home town. He was born to a wealthy and distinguished family, and was a student of Aristides and Adrianus. As a sophist, Damianus not only taught in Ephesus, but provided funds to support the city's poor but contributed funds to restore public buildings. Notable buildings include an elaborate marble portico to connect the city to the

Temple of Artemis The Temple of Artemis or Artemision ( gr, Ἀρτεμίσιον; tr, Artemis Tapınağı), also known as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to an ancient, local form of the goddess Artemis (identified with Diana, a Roman go ...

, and a large dining hall in the sanctuary of the Temple. Damianus married the daughter of

Publius Vedius Antoninus Publius may refer to: Roman name * Publius (praenomen) * Ancient Romans with the name: ** Publius Valerius Publicola (died 503 BC), Roman consul, co-founder of the Republic **Publius Clodius Pulcher (c. 93 BC – 52 BC), Republican politician ...

, a leading decurion of Ephesus; their descendants became members of the

Roman Senate The Roman Senate ( la, Senātus Rōmānus) was a governing and advisory assembly in ancient Rome. It was one of the most enduring institutions in Roman history, being established in the first days of the city of Rome (traditionally founded in ...

, including three

consuls A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people ...

and two wives of consuls.Bowersock, ''Greek Sophists'',p. 47

References

2nd-century Greek people Ancient Ephesians Roman-era Sophists {{AncientGreece-bio-stub