thumb|A manuscript of the Aethiopica (Venice, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Gr. 410, fol. 94v)

Heliodorus Emesenus or Heliodorus of Emesa () is the author of the ancient Greek novel called the Aethiopica () or Theagenes and Chariclea (), which has been dated to the 220s or 370s AD.

Identification

He identifies himself at the end of his work as

According to Tim Whitmarsh, 'from the race of the sun' "looks like a claim to hereditary priesthood," though "uncertainties" remain.

Quoting Richard L. Hunter,

See also

  • Emesene dynasty

Other ancient Greek novelists:

  • Chariton – The Loves of Chaereas and Callirhoe
  • Xenophon of Ephesus – The Ephesian Tale
  • Achilles Tatius – Leucippe and Clitophon
  • Longus – Daphnis and Chloe

Notes

References

Bibliography

  • Heliodoros, Aithiopika, ed. Robert Mantle Rattenbury, Thomas Wallace Lumb (Paris: Les Belles Lettres, three volumes, 1935–1943)
  • Aethiopica (English translation) at Elfinspell