Eunapius - Classic Text | Alexandria
Eunapius, a figure shrouded in late antiquity, serves as both historian and fervent defender of a declining pagan tradition. Flourishing in the 4th century CE, Eunapius of Sardis, not to be confused with other individuals sharing this name, offers a valuable, albeit biased, contemporary perspective on the tumultuous period marking the decline of Roman paganism and the rise of Christianity. While often remembered solely for his Lives of Philosophers and Sophists, a collection of biographies laced with sharp criticisms of Christian ascetics, Eunapius provides a crucial, if subjective, lens through which to view an era grappling with profound religious and political shifts.
The earliest glimpses of Eunapius appear through fragments of his larger historical work, History After Dexippus, chronicling the years 270 – 404 CE. Although this comprehensive history is largely lost, tantalizing excerpts survive through later Byzantine historians, most notably Zosimus. These fragments depict a tumultuous era marked by barbarian incursions, internal power struggles within the Roman Empire, and the increasingly influential role of Christian figures at court. Eunapius, steeped in the Neoplatonic philosophical tradition, positions himself firmly against the encroaching Christian influence, viewing it as a catalyst for societal decay and the decline of traditional Roman virtues. He casts a critical eye on the emperors who catered to Christian interests, hinting at a deliberate attempt to subvert the established order.
Eunapius’s legacy rests primarily on his Lives, a collection of biographies that oscillates between celebrating the wisdom of pagan philosophers and satirizing what he perceived as the hypocrisy and unsophistication of Christian holy men. This work significantly shaped later perceptions of figures like Iamblichus and Julian the Apostate, casting them as heroic defenders of a fading world. Were Eunapius’s accounts entirely objective, or were they sculpted by his own fervent beliefs? The question lingers, prompting historians to carefully consider his perspective when piecing together the narrative of late antiquity. The very survival of these texts, albeit fragmented, underscores the enduring fascination with this period of transition and the power struggles that defined it.
Today, Eunapius continues to intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike. His work serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in historical narratives, challenging us to examine the motives and biases that shape our understanding of the past. He offers a potent reminder that history is not a monolith, but rather a collection of diverse, often conflicting, perspectives. As we re-examine his writings through a modern lens, one wonders: what untold stories lie buried within the fragments, waiting to be unearthed and re-evaluated?