SYNE'SIUS (Lat., from Gk. 7mmkon) (c.370-?). A Neo-Platonic philosopher and Christian bishop. lie studied philosophy in Alexandria, under Ilypatia, to whom he was ever warmly devoted, and his life well illustrates the combination of Neo-Platonism and Christianity so characteristic of the fourth century. For three years (397-400) he served as envoy at the court of Arcadius, in Constantinople, where he won popularity and influence. His famous speech On Kingship was delivered in the Emperor's presence. and was a bold discussion of the duties and frailties of monarchs. Synesius was made Bishop of Ptolemais in 410, against his own de sire, and with the apparent stipulation that he should not be obliged to give up his wife or his philosophy. He administered his see with con scientious fidelity, notwithstanding the fact that his personal tastes were far from ecclesiastical. Neither the time no• the place of his death is known. Synesins's writings include about 150
letters: Egyptian Tales. o• on Procidrnee. a sort of historical allegory defending the idea of a providential government of the world: a defense of the philosophic life, entitled DM (after Dio Chrysoston) ; a humorous work, called Praise of Baldness, suggested by Dios Praise of Hair; and ten //pa us, which are partly pagan and partly Christian. 11 is general theological point of view and his distinctive characteristics are well brought out in Charles Kingsley's novel, Bypath!, in which Synesius figures. For his works, con sult: Migne, Put,rotogia lxvi. In gen eral, consult: Glover, Life and Letters in the Fourth Century (Cambridge, 1901) ; Druon, Etudes sur la vie et les oeuvres de Synesius (Paris, 1859) ; Volkmann, Synesius con Cyrene (Ilerlin, 1869).