Favorinus

Favorinus (c. 80 – c. 160 AD) was a Roman sophist and skeptic philosopher who flourished during the reigns of Hadrian and the Second Sophistic. Of Gaulish ancestry, he was born in Arelate (modern Arles). He received a comprehensive education and traveled extensively throughout Greece, Italy, and the East. Favorinus gained prominence in Athens and Rome due to his vast knowledge and exceptional oratorical abilities. He maintained close relationships with prominent figures of his time, including Plutarch, Herodes Atticus, Demetrius the Cynic, Cornelius Fronto, Aulus Gellius, and Emperor Hadrian. His rivalry with Polemon of Smyrna was notable. Despite his intellectual prowess, Favorinus experienced a period of banishment to Chios in the 130s AD, ordered by Hadrian after an argument. Following Hadrian's death and the ascension of Antoninus Pius in 138 AD, Favorinus was reinstated and returned to Rome, resuming his activities as a writer and educator for elite students. Among his notable pupils were Alexander Peloplaton and Herodes Atticus. His year of death is uncertain, but he is believed to have lived into his eighties, possibly around 160 AD. Favorinus was a close friend and admired by Aulus Gellius, who frequently featured him in his work 'Noctes Atticae.' His influence is also seen in the works of Lucian. As a philosopher, Favorinus identified as a Skeptic, with his 'Pyrrhonean Tropes' being a significant work exploring the practical application of Aenesidemus' Ten Modes in legal contexts. He also engaged in philosophical debates, notably with Galen regarding the nature of education and knowledge. His writings touched upon various philosophical concepts, including epistemology and the nature of perception. He is also noted for his possible invention of the 'psychomachia,' an allegorical technique later employed by Christian writers. Favorinus is described as having been a eunuch from birth, with physical characteristics noted by ancient sources that have led modern scholars to suggest he may have had an intersex trait, possibly consistent with Reifenstein's syndrome.