A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Αἰδέσιος), a Cappad ocian, called a Platonic or perhaps more correctly an Eclectic philosopher, who lived in the fourth century, the friend and most distinguished disciple of Iambilichus. After the death of his master the school of Syria was dispersed, and Aedesius fearing the real or fancied hostility of the Christian emperor Constantine to philosophy, took refuge in divination. An oracle in hexameter verse represented a pastoral life as his only retreat, but his disciples, perhaps calming his fears by a metaphorical interpretation, compelled him to resume his instructions. He settled at Pergamus. where he numbered among his pupils the emperor Julian. After the accession of the latter to the imperial purple he invited Aedesius to continue his instructions, but the declining strength of the sage being unequal to the task, two of his most learned disciples, Chrysanthes and Eusebius, were by his own desire appointed to supply his place. (Eunap. Vit. Aedes.)

[B.J]