Most of what is known about Lucian's life comes from references made in
his own writing. His exact date of birth is unknown, but was around 120 AD.
He was born in Samosota on the Euphrates River. The town was located on the
eastern outskirts of the Roman empire, but was not "without importance" (Hadzsits 24)
as it was the head of trade passage on the Euphrates.
It appears his family was lower middle class. Rather than learning a trade
after finishing his basic education, Lucian headed to Ionia. It doesn't
seem that he would have had the money to attend the universities there. But
he somehow gathered an excellent fluency for Greek (his native tongue was Syriac).
He immersed himself in the Greek literature and became an excellent public
speaker.
He started a career in law. Soon realizing it was not for him, he became a
traveling lecturer. He gained fame and wealth through this occupation, and returned
to Ionia about 160 AD. At this time, he also visited his hometown.
He soon decided to settle down in Athens. In approximately 165 AD he took his
father and other family members with him. It was customary of the day for a
member of the family who had done well for themselves to share that wealth with
their family. It is assumed that he married at some point, as some of his works
make reference to a young son at this point.
During his time in Athens he gave up the public speaking for his writing.
Between 165 and 175 he wrote full time. This period is where the majority of
his work comes from, and definitely his finest.
He did return to public speaking and was appointed to a lucrative government
job in Egypt, by Emperor Commodus. He would have been an old man at this point.
Most sources agree that Lucian was not a great intellectual. He was not particulary
fond of philosophers, deeming them hypocrites. However, his "claim to fame was as a
literary artist." He was "of ordinary intellect, but his wit, humor, irony,
exuberant comic fantasy, and craftsmanship with words most certainly are
not." (Casson xiv)
