Reading Lives of the Sophists | Alexandria
Read Lives of the Sophists by Philostratus. Revealing the first "influencers" in history, Philostratus' Lives of the Sophists uncovers how ancient Greek teachers used celebrity status, verbal prowess, and personal branding to command massive fees and sway empires. These intellectual rockstars pioneered techniques still used by modern public speakers and thought leaders - including the surprising insight that truth matters less than persuasive performance.