Chrysanthius of Sardis ( grc-gre, Χρυσάνθιος) was a
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
philosopher of the 4th century AD who studied at the school of
Iamblichus.
He was one of the favorite pupils of
Aedesius, and devoted himself mainly to the mystical side of
Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism is a strand of Platonic philosophy that emerged in the 3rd century AD against the background of Hellenistic philosophy and religion. The term does not encapsulate a set of ideas as much as a chain of thinkers. But there are some i ...
. The Roman emperor
Julian went to him by the advice of Aedesius, and subsequently invited him to come to the court and assist in the projected resuscitation of
Hellenism. But Chrysanthius declined, citing the strength of unfavorable omens, though he probably realized the revival was unlikely to bear fruit.
For the same reason he abstained from drastic religious reforms in his capacity as high-priest of
Lydia. As a result of his moderation, he remained high-priest until his death, venerated alike by
Pagans and
Christians
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words '' Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ ...
. His wife Meite, who was associated with him in the priestly office, was a kinswoman of
Eunapius
Eunapius ( el, Εὐνάπιος; fl. 4th–5th century AD) was a Greek sophist and historian of the 4th century AD. His principal surviving work is the ''Lives of Philosophers and Sophists'' ( grc-gre, Βίοι Φιλοσόφων καὶ Σο ...
the biographer. Eunapius, who was related to Chrysanthius by marriage, tended to him in his old age and was devoted to him until his death.
Eunapius, ''Lives of the Philosophers and Sophists''
/ref>
References
*
{{Platonists
4th-century Romans
4th-century philosophers
Neoplatonists
Roman-era philosophers