SYNESIUS, Bishop of Ptolemais in the Libyan Pentapolis, acted also the vari ous parts of soldier, diplomatist, orator, philosopher and poet; born in Cyrene about A. D. 375. The contemporary of Augustine, he took pride in tracing his descent from the Heraclidx, the royal family of Sparta, who first colonized the Pentapolis, and inherited wealth and es tates in the interior. He studied at Al exandria under Hypatia, whose influence over him proved a dominant and lifelong one. He also studied in Athens, and re turned to the Pentapolis, resolved to spend his life in study and in the pur suits of a country gentleman. About 399 he was appointed by his fellow citi zens a delegate from Cyrene to bring certain grievances before the Emperor Arcadius at Constantinople. He re mained in that city for three years. In his speech "On Kingship" Synesius warns Arcadius sternly of the perilous nature of the times and points out the duties of a good king. During his stay at Constantinople a revolution took place, Arcadius was driven out by the Scythian general Gainas, and Aurelian, leader of the national party, banished.
While waiting for an audience Syne sius wrote a curious book entitled "Con cerning Providence." In the form of an allegory he describes the contest be tween Aurelian and Gainas, under the veil of a conflict between Osiris and Ty phon, who personify Good and Evil; and deals with the question why God per mits evil and delays so long to interfere. In a few weeks Gainas fell, Synesius at tained the end of his mission, and sailed for home. The next eight years were a time of peace and happiness for Syne sius; "books and the chase," he writes, "make up my life." About 403 he mar
ried a wife belonging to Alexandria. During these years he wrote his treatise "Concerning Dreams," a half-burlesque essay, "The Praise of Baldness" (he was bald himself), his "Dion, or on Self discipline," the second part of his book on "Providence," several "Hymns," and a great many letters. This peaceful pe riod was interrupted by war. The Liby an nomads made raids on the fertile Pentapolis: there were no soldiers at Cyrene, but Synesius raised a troop of volunteers. The helpless governor Ce realius fled; Cyrene was besieged and Synesius had to organize and direct the defense of the city.
In 411 the people of Ptolemais, fear ing the appointment of a corrupt gov ernor, fixed on Synesius as their bishop. Synesius was most unwilling; but at last he yielded and was consecrated at Alex andria in 410. On his return to Ptole mais, finding the new governor An dronicus playing the tyrant he boldly excommunicated him, and secured his recall.
The Ausurians invaded the country, and Synesius had again to spend his nights on the ramparts and direct the defense. His only surviving child died. Synesius was broken with troubles, and both his philosophy and his religion ap peared to fail him in his need. The city was relieved, but he fell ill and about 413 he died. His last letter was writ ten to Hypatia who retained all his old affection and reverence.