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Alexander The Paphlagonian
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Quick Facts
Born:
2nd century ad
Flourished:
101 - 200
Turkey
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Alexander The Paphlagonian

ancient religious charlatan
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Alexander The Paphlagonian (born 2nd century ad) was a celebrated impostor and worker of false oracles. The only account of his career occurs in an exposĂ© by Lucian, whose investigations of Alexander’s frauds led to a serious attempt on the writer’s life.

Alexander established an oracle of Asclepius (the Greek god of healing) at his native town by staging a “rebirth” of the god in the form of a snake, which he called Glycon. He instituted mystical “rites” from which his particular enemies, the Christians and Epicureans, were excluded. He went so far as to celebrate a marriage between himself and the Moon. Through blackmail and other abuses he was able to amass a fortune.

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