The Roman governor who became the primary voice for a legendary Greek philosopher

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Arrian of Nicomedia was a Roman senator, military commander, and historian who lived in the second century AD. While he successfully repelled an Alani invasion as governor of Cappadocia, his most enduring legacy is as the sole source for the philosophy of Epictetus, whose lectures he meticulously recorded.

Born in Nicomedia around 85–90 AD, Arrian was a member of the Greek provincial aristocracy and a Roman citizen. His life was defined by a deep commitment to paideia, the pursuit of learning and education. This dedication led him to Epirus between 117 and 120 AD, where he attended the lectures of the philosopher Epictetus. Arrian’s notes from these sessions became the Discourses of Epictetus, while his Enchiridion served as a concise handbook of his teacher's principles.

Arrian’s public career was equally distinguished. A friend of Emperor Hadrian, he was appointed to the Senate around 126 AD and served as consul suffectus by 130 AD. In 132 AD, he became the governor of Cappadocia. His military leadership was tested in 135 AD when he successfully halted an invasion by the Alani. He documented his tactical approach in Ektaxis kata Alanon, a work that emphasizes his reliance on traditional Greek military methods.

As a historian, Arrian is best known for The Anabasis of Alexander, which remains the most trusted account of Alexander the Great’s campaigns. He modeled his writing style on Xenophon, earning him the nickname the second Xenophon. His extensive body of work, though partially lost to time, includes treatises on hunting, cavalry tactics, and the history of the successors to Alexander. Our understanding of his life relies heavily on 9th-century writings by Photius and references within his own surviving texts.

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