Two Sophists in the history of sophistry. Flavius Philostratus, known as "the Elder" or "the Athenian," was born into a distinguished family with close ties to Lesbos in the late second century and died around the middle of the third. As a sophist who studied in Athens and later lived in Rome, Philostratus provides in "Lives of the Sophists" a treasure trove of information about prominent representatives. His descriptions of sophists in action form a fascinating picture of their dominant influence on education, social, and political life of the Empire during his time. It is almost certain that he is also the author of "Life of Apollonius of Tyana" and the works "Heroicus" and "Gymnasticus."

Eunapius (c. 345–415) was born in Sardis but studied and spent much of his life in Athens as a sophist and historian. His "Lives of Philosophers and Sophists" covers figures of personal or intellectual significance to him in the period from Plotinus to Chrysanthius, including a remarkable woman, Sosipatra, and then focuses on Iamblichus and his students. The central logic of the work combines personal devotion to teachers and colleagues with a broader effort to restore Greek cultural iconic figures against the rise of Christianity.

This edition of Philostratus and Eunapius has been fully revised based on the original edition of Wilmer C. Wright (1921) and contemporary studies.