Synesius of Cyrene: His Life and Writings

This essay about Synesius of Cyrene is written by James Carpenter Nicol, a fellow of Trinity Hall, Cambridge University. It obtained the Hulsean Prize (established by John Hulse in 1777) for the year 1886 and was published by E. Johnson of Cambridge in 1887.

In 2007 it was reprinted by Kessinger Publishing, which specializes in reprints of scarce and hard-to-find books. Inside the front cover there is a message from the modern publisher: 

"This important reprint was made from an old and scarce book. Therefore, it may have defects such as missing pages, erroneous pagination, blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, marginalia and other issues beyond our control."

The warning is appropriate, but in this case almost unnecessary, because the condition of the original book seems to be very good. As far as I can see, only one page is missing: page 67.

Synesius was born in Cyrene ca. AD 370. He died in Ptolemais (today Tolmeita) ca. AD 413. Both towns are in North Africa, in the eastern part of modern Libya (Cyrenaica). The remains of both ancient towns can still be seen today. Ptolemais is on the coast, while Cyrene is inland and further east, about 20 kilometers from the coast.

Synesius was born into a wealthy family. As far as we know, he never had any economic problems. He travelled to Alexandria to study philosophy and rhetorics. He also visited Athens. He loved philosophy and hunting. Many of his private letters and published works have survived. J. C. Nicol quotes extensively from them. Synesius wrote in Greek, the dominating language in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Some of his works can be found online, in an English translation.

In 395, when Synesius was about 25 years old, the Roman emperor Theodosius died and the empire was divided between his two sons: Honorius got the western part with Rome (or Ravenna) as the capital, while Arcadius got the eastern part, known today as the Byzantine empire, with Constantinople (today Istanbul) as the capital.

Ca. two years later, in AD 397, the senate of Cyrene asked Synesius to go to Constantinople to seek an audience with the emperor and ask for his help. The senate wanted troops for protection and lower taxes to improve the economic situation. Synesius travelled to Constantinople, which was relatively easy, but access to Arcadius was much more difficult. He had to wait a long time.

After three years, in AD 400, he was finally admitted to see the emperor. We still have the speech he delivered on that occasion. It is in Greek, but often referred to by a Latin title: De Regno. The text is probably not what Synesius said, word for word, but rather a general outline of the speech. His basic argument runs like this: the emperor has money, power and privilege, and therefore he has a duty to protect and take care of his subjects.

After returning to his home town Cyrene, Synesius would, from time to time, take on the role of a soldier in order to defend his home town from outside attacks.

Around AD 409 the bishop of Ptolemais died, and the people of the town offered the job to Synesius. At the time he was not even a Christian, although - as far as we know - his wife was a Christian, and he did not really want the job. But he was asked to take it anyway, because he was considered an important and honest person, who could - and would - defend the interests of the people. He hesitated for several months, but in the end he said yes. Around AD 410 he was consecrated as the bishop of Ptolemais. He was probably chosen not so much for religious reasons, but rather for practical reasons. Whatever the reasons, he was not able to serve for a long time, since he died ca. AD 413.

On pp. 103-104, Nicol sums up the life and career of Synesius with the following words:

"Born to an independence, brought up to a quiet, studious life, he yet never forgot his duty as a citizen to his country, and in her cause he was always ready to give up his books and the leisure he loved so well, and whether as ambassador, or soldier, or bishop to serve Cyrene with the devotion of a true patriot."

This is a very positive view. However, there is a problem here. Most of what we know about Synesius is based on his own writings. Can we believe what he says about himself? I think the answer is yes. Why? Because he does not only present himself in a positive light. Sometimes he speaks very honestly and openly about his doubts and uncertainties, for instance regarding the job as a bishop of Ptolemais.

The first part of this essay about Synesius - about his life and his writings - is by far the best part. The second part - about his philosphy and his relation to Christianity - is not so accessible. In this part you will notice that the text was written more than 100 years ago.

If you read this book, you will get to know Synesius quite well. It seems he was an interesting and sympathetic person who had some quite progressive views for his time, most importantly, the view that a person who has money, power and privilege has a duty to speak for and to defend those who are less fortunate than himself. He tried his best to follow this maxim in his own life. 

If you travel to Libya and go to Cyrene, you can visit the so-called House of Hesychius. Perhaps the father of Synesius lived here until the earthquake of 365 (Synesius was born ca. five years later). In Ptolemais, you can visit a Christian basilica, known as the West Church. Perhaps Synesius served as a bishop here for a few years (although some observers believe this church was built in the sixth century, i.e. long after his time).

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James Carpenter Nicol,
Synesius of Cyrene: His Life and Writings, 
First published 1887, reprinted 2007, 148 pages

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