21 - Themistius

Summary

LIFE

Themistius was born c. 317 in Paphlagonia, probably near the town of Abunoteich. He studied rhetoric and philosophy in Constantinople. His first teacher of philosophy was his father Eugenius, a Platonist, possibly of Iamblichaean persuasion, but with a strong interest in Aristotle which he passed down to his son. At the beginning of his career, Themistius taught in the city of Nicomedia, and possibly elsewhere in Asia Minor, trying to establish his reputation as a philosopher. From the late 340s he taught in Constantinople, and around 347 entered the state service under Constantius II, who adlected him to the Senate in 355. After this, politics became Themistius’ main career. He served as an advisor to Constantius II, who put him in charge of recruiting new members for the Senate and gave him a number of other key political and diplomatic functions. Themistius retained his influence during the reigns of Julian, Jovian, Valentinian and Valens, and Theodosius. In both his political and private speeches, he emphasized that it was as a philosopher that he was in service of the political regimes of Constantinople (the denial of philosopher’s title in Or. 21 is ironic). In his political speeches, he frequently appealed to ideas of enlightened government, and religious and political tolerance, informed by the legacy of classical political philosophy.