Heliodorus of Emesa

Who is Heliodorus of Emesa?

Heliodorus of Emesa was a Greek writer for whom two ranges of dates are suggested, either about the 250s AD or in the aftermath of Julian's rule, that is shortly after 363. Heliodorus of Emesa is known for the ancient Greek novel or romance called the Aethiopica or sometimes "Theagenes and Chariclea".

According to his own statement, his father's name was Theodosius and he belonged to a family of priests of the sun. Socrates Scholasticus identifies the author of Aethiopica with a certain Heliodorus, bishop of Trikka, but the name Heliodorus was a common one. Nicephorus Callistus expands this story, relating that the work was written in the early years of this bishop before he became a Christian and that, when forced either to disown it or resign his bishopric, he preferred resignation. Most scholars reject this identification.