A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. Of ALABANDA, surnamed Molon, likewise a rhetorician, who left his country and went to Rhodes (Strabo xiv. p.655); but he appears to have also taught rhetoric at Rome for some time, as Cicero, who calls him a great pleader in the courts of justice and a great teacher, states that, in B. C. 88, he received instructions from him at Rome. (Cic. Brut. 89.) In B. C. 81, when Sulla was dictator, Apollonius came to Rome as ambassador of the Rhodians, on which occasion Cicero again benefited by his instructions. (Brut. 90.) Four years later, when Cicero returned from Asia, he staid for some time in Rhodes, and had an opportunity of admiring the practical eloquence of Apollonius in the courts as well as his skill in teaching. (Brut. 91.) Apollonius is also called a distinguished writer, but none of his works has come down to us. They appear however to have treated on rhetorical subjects, and on the Homeric poems. (Phoebam. i. p. 98; Porphyr. Quaest. Homeric. p. 10.) Josephus (e. Apion. 2.36) mentions some work of his in which he spoke against the Jews. Julius Caesar was also one of his disciples. (Plut. Caes. 3; Suet. Jul. 4; comp. Cic. Att. 2.1, Brut. 70, de Invent. 1.56; Plut. Cic. 4; Quint. Inst. 3.1.16, 12.6.7.)