Apollonius The Greek
Apollonius
was a Greek philosopher, serious teacher, and a mystical wonderworker. Born at
Tyana in Asia Minor, also known as Anatolia, now constitutes most of modern
Turkey. Apollonius was educated at Tarsus the original capital of the Macedonians, an ancient kingdom in
northern Greece. The city was also the burial place of the Macedonian kings. It
is here, where at 16 he devoted himself to the doctrine of
Pythagoras, whose teachings he followed all his life.
Apollonius
first became a religious teacher while still young. In his quest for further
knowledge, he travelled to Eastern countries. It is said that Apollonius had kept
a vow of silence for five years, and performed miracles wherever he went. He
then travelled to India to learn the wisdom of the Indian Brahmins. There is a
description that tells of an Indian magician making seven rings representing
the seven planets and giving them to Apollonius, who wore a different one each
day. Legend has it that this enabled him to maintain his youthfulness well into
old age, with his living reportedly to 100 years of age.
When
Apollonius went to Egypt, on his way through Asia he visited the sacred Syrian
city of Hierapolis, where he attracted a disciple, Damis, who kept a diary of
Apollonius's deeds and sayings. These notes reportedly described several
incidents and adventures, including events relating to Roman emperors from Nero
(54-68 C.E.) to Nerva (96-98).
Apollonius
is known mainly through a long account by the scholar, researcher, and writer Philostratus
of Athens.
Philostratus, who himself was born in Athens,
had come from a prominent family of intellectuals. He received a well-rounded
education in rhetoric and philosophy, which influenced his later writings. His
most famous work, "The Life of Apollonius of Tyana," is a biography
of the legendary philosopher and mystic Apollonius, which blends historical
facts with elements of mythology and mysticism. This biography provides
insights into the spiritual and philosophical beliefs of the time. Philostratus
has built upon a series of dialogues and stories of the sage Apollonius's often
miraculous activities during his wanderings.
Apollonius,
an ascetic vegetarian, and a mystic acquired a reputation for his magical
powers. His miracles and the Enlightenment elevated him to become the subject
of admiration as a spiritual teacher.
Apollonius
reportedly continued to travel widely after his return from Europe, going far
up the river Nile as far as Ethiopia, and to Spain. Though he had many
followers and admirers, Philostratus admits that he also made many enemies,
notably the indifferent philosopher Euphrates of Tyre.
Both
Apollonius's friendships and his quarrels are also reflected in his letters. In
these, he claimed only the power of foreseeing the future. Philostratus relates
to several miracles performed by Apollonius. For example, he was either raised
from death or revived from a death-like state the daughter of a Roman senator.
He miraculously escaped death himself after being accused of treason by Nero
and by Domitian. His teachings and legends influenced scientific thought and magical
beliefs centuries after his death.
After
further travels in Greece, Apollonius finally settled in Ephesus. Philostratus
keeps up the mystery of his hero's life by saying, "Concerning the manner
of his death, if he did die, the accounts are various." Philostratus seems
to prefer a version in which Apollonius disappears mysteriously in the temple
of the goddess Dictynna in Crete.
Philostratus' voluminous Life of
Apollonius explains that the sage of Tyana was a teacher of asceticism whose
personal knowledge featured not only an understanding of mathematics and
philosophy but also direct revelations from the gods. Philostratus
himself was an Athenian sophist and professional orator.
Apollonius
has given a very famous formula for calculating the median of a triangle- known
as the Apollonius theorem.
Apollonius Theorem
Enunciate Apollonius's Theorem and prove it geometrically.
The
sum of the squares on any two sides of a triangle is equal to twice its Square
on half the 3rd. along with twice its square on the median that bisects it.
AB² + AC² = 2
AD² + 2 BD²
AD is a median, Such that BD=DC
To Prove: AB² + AC² = 2 AD² + 2 BD²
Const. Draw AN
perpendicular on BC.
Proof: In acute angled triangle ADC
Ac² = AD2+DC 2 - 2 DC. DN (i)
In obtuse-angled triangle ADB.
AB2 = AD² + BD² + 2 BD. DN (ii)
Or AC² + AB² = 2 AD² + 2BD² (adding
i & ii) Because [BD =DC]-given
While
emphasizing that Apollonius was indeed a worker of wonders, Philostratus proves
false the notion that the sage of Tyana was a magician. The miracles that
Apollonius performed were thus the result of his superior knowledge, not of
wizardry or the ability to perform magic tricks.
Apollonius
was believed to have believed in God as the supreme being, whom he conceived of
as being fundamentally apart from the Universe, and completely perfect, needing
nothing from human beings in terms of sacrifices or offerings. In terms of
human relationships, prayers are unnecessary, but contemplation, both mystical
and rational, is encouraged.
Apollonius
became a hero because of his lifelong chastity, avoidance of alcohol, and
devotion to a religion that rejected sacrifices to the Roman gods.
Apollonius
was said to have warned the citizens of Greece of an approaching plague, but
they ignored his warning until the disease struck. Remembering his prophecy,
they sought further advice from the man they thought to be a mighty magician,
who revealed that there was a wretched beggar among them who should be stoned
to death. After the deed was done, the people removed the pile of stones under
which they thought the beggar laid, however, they only found a black dog, which
Apollonius explained was the actual cause of the plague.
The
situation in which Apollonius was reported to have brought the daughter of a
Roman consul back to life also won him widespread fame.
Apollonius
is also said to have stopped one of his former students, Menippe of Corinth,
from marrying a vampire. Apollonius appeared as a guest at the wedding parties
before the dinner. He then did all the ceremonial meal services and some of the
guests even disappeared, proving that they must have been an illusion created
by the evil bride. He then made the young woman confess her identity, thereby
rescuing Menippus from a terrible fate on his wedding night.
The
late fourth-century Historia Augusta says that Apollonius appeared to Emperor
Aurelian when he was blockading Tyana, Apollonius' hometown. The emperor
supposedly claimed to have seen Apollonius speak to him, asking him to spare
the city of his birth. "Aurelian, if you desire to rule, withdraw from the
blood of the innocent!" Apollonius declared. "If you will conquer, be
merciful!" Aurelian, who admired Apollonius, therefore spared Tyana.
Voltaire,
(1694 -1778), a French writer too, has praised Apollonius.
In
the twentieth century, Ezra
Pound 1885 – 1972, a poet suggested Apollonius in his later
Verses as a figure associated with sun-worship and a messianic rival to Christ.
The poet also praises Apollonius' aversion to ancient Jewish animal sacrifice.
There
is also a mystery surrounding Apollonius' death. Some reported that he fell out
of favour with Emperor Severus, who put him on trial and had his hair cut off
to remove his magical powers. Then Apollonius simply vanished from the
courtroom, never to be seen again. Although his followers said that he had
died, they nonetheless insisted he was taken up into heaven. Meanwhile,
Philostratus related several other versions of Apollonius' death, including
that the sage of Tyana vanished in the temple of the goddess Dictynna. Throughout
the centuries, Apollonius has continued to exert significant influence. Coins
were struck and statues erected commemorating him, and in Tyana, a temple was
built and dedicated to him.
Ref:
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Apollonius_of_Tyana
Apollonius
of Tyana: Ancient Historical Resources www.mountainman.com.aus
Apollonius_of_Tyana
history
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