Heliodorus of Emesa
Illustration — A manuscript of the Aethiopica (Venice, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Gr. 94v) Heliodorus Emesenus or Heliodorus of Emesa is the author of the ancient Greek novel called the Aethiopica (Αἰθιοπικά) or Theagenes and Chariclea (Θεαγένης καὶ Χαρίκλεια), which has been dated to the 220s or 370s AD.
Also recorded as Heliodorus
Heliodorus of Emesa
Heliodorus of Emesa · 2d copy · Public domain
- Born
- 250 · Emesa.
- Died
- 250
- Occupation
- writer
- Known for
- Aethiopica
- Languages
- Ancient Greek
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Illustration — A manuscript of the Aethiopica (Venice, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Gr. 94v) Heliodorus Emesenus or Heliodorus of Emesa is the author of the ancient Greek novel called the Aethiopica (Αἰθιοπικά) or Theagenes and Chariclea (Θεαγένης καὶ Χαρίκλεια), which has been dated to the 220s or 370s AD.
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wikipedia incomplete · checked 25 September 2026
- Identity
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Authority files
wikidata · Q313011 · wikipedia · Heliodorus of Emesa
In this article
Identification
Identification
He identifies himself at the end of his work as a Phoenician from Emesa [modern Homs, Syria], of the line of Helios [also translated as: 'from the race of the sun'], Theodosius' son Heliodorus According to Tim Whitmarsh, 'from the race of the sun' "looks like a claim to hereditary priesthood," though "uncertainties" remain. According to The Cambridge History of Classical Literature, "the personal link here established between the writer and Helios has also a literary purpose, as has Calasiris' flashback narrative" (see Aethiopica). The later tradition maintaining that Heliodorus had become a Christian bishop is likely fictional. Quoting Richard L. Hunter, The Emesenes were a culturally complex group, including Arab, Phoenician and Greek elements, and, since the third century at any rate, having a connection with the Roman imperial household (the empress Julia Domna was from Emesa, as was the cult of Elagabal which inspired the emperor Heliogabalus).
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 250–1901
The full dated record · 7 entries
250
Heliodorus of Emesa born at Emesa.
250
Heliodorus of Emesa died.
1717
The adventures of Theagenes and Chariclia, a romance.... Written originally in Greek by Heliodorus... In two volumes. 1717: Vol 2 (1717) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
1895
An Æthiopian history written in Greek by Heliodorus (1895) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
1895
An Æthiopian history written in Greek by Heliodorus digitised by Internet Archive.
1901
The Greek romances of Heliodorus, Longus and Achilles Tatius, comprising the Ethiopics; or, Adventures of Theagenes and Chariclea; The pastoral amours of Daphnis and Chloe; and The loves of Clitopho and Leucippe (1901) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
1901
The Greek romances of Heliodorus, Longus and Achilles Tatius; comprising the Ethiopics; or, Adventures of Theagenes and Chariclea; The pastoral amours of Daphnis and Chloe; and The loves of Citopho and Leucippe digitised by Internet Archive.
Primary material
Documents and archives
Institutional database
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q313011: Heliodorus of Emesa
Scholarly · Wikimedia Foundation
reference work
- “Heliodorus of Emesa”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Citeer tijdschrift achternaam=De Temmerman voornaam=Koen titel=Heliodorus’ Aethiopica 5.13-14: Een romaneske parel in schrift. jaargang=2019 tijdschrift=B. Verhelst & T. Scheijnen. (edd.), Parels in schrift: Huldeboek voor Marc De Groote. datum=2019
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References
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Institutional database
Wikidata, structured authority record Q313011: Heliodorus of EmesaWikimedia Foundation
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Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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