Dio Chrysostom of Prusa (Δίων ὁ Προυσαεύς ὁ Χρυσόστομος) was a Greek orator, writer, and philosopher of the Roman Imperial period, active during the late 1st and early 2nd centuries CE. Born to a wealthy family in Prusa, Bithynia, his posthumous nickname "Chrysostom" (golden-mouthed) attested to his eloquence [1][2]. Exiled by Emperor Domitian, he adopted a Cynic lifestyle during his wanderings, an experience that deeply shaped his thought [1][2]. He later returned to favor, becoming a friend and advisor to Emperor Trajan [1][2].

Approximately 80 orations survive under his name. These speeches, such as the four Orations on Kingship addressed to Trajan and the Olympic Oration, cover topics including ethics, politics, and literature, blending Cynic and Stoic ideas in an accessible style [1][2].

Dio is a major representative of the Second Sophistic, a movement reaffirming Greek cultural identity under Roman rule [1][2]. His works provide valuable historical insight into the political and intellectual life of the eastern Roman Empire, popularizing philosophical ethics and influencing later Greek prose through his revival of classical Attic style [1][2].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dio-chrysostom/ 2. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dio-Chrysostom