How a Pagan Philosopher Became the Trusted Tutor to a Christian Emperor's Son

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Themistius was a fourth-century statesman and philosopher who thrived under six successive Roman emperors despite his pagan faith. Known as the king of arguments, he served as a bridge between cultures, advocating for religious liberty while shaping the political education of the imperial heir during a volatile era of transition.

Born in Paphlagonia around 317 AD, Themistius rose to prominence as a rhetorician and philosopher in Constantinople. Though he remained a pagan, he secured the favor of emperors ranging from Constantius II to Theodosius I. His influence was so profound that Theodosius I entrusted his son, Arcadius, to Themistius for tutelage between 387 and 388 AD. This relationship highlights his unique standing as a political theoretician who navigated the complex religious landscape of the late Roman Empire.

Themistius was an eclectic thinker who believed that Plato and Aristotle were in substantial agreement. He famously argued that God granted humanity the freedom to choose their own mode of worship, a stance he used to intercede with Valens to end the persecution of the Catholic party. His philosophical contributions were primarily pedagogical; he produced numerous commentaries and paraphrases of Aristotle, translating complex treatises into a more accessible, modern style that earned him praise from scholars like Boëthius.

His public life was equally prolific. Over nearly forty years, he served in various high-ranking roles, including senator, proconsul, and urban prefect of Constantinople. He delivered dozens of orations, many of which served as panegyrics for emperors, comparing them to the ideal philosopher-king. While some critics viewed these speeches as mere flattery, they remain vital historical documents. Themistius died around 388 AD, leaving behind a legacy as a master of rhetoric and a dedicated student of philosophy who successfully balanced the demands of imperial service with his intellectual commitments.

Today, his work survives in a mix of Greek originals, Syriac and Arabic translations, and later Latin interpretations. The discovery of his thirty-fourth oration in 1816 by Angelo Mai underscores the fragmented nature of his surviving corpus. Despite these gaps, Themistius remains a pivotal figure for understanding how classical philosophy persisted and adapted within the political machinery of the Christianized Roman state.

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