Diodorus the Rhetorician (Διόδωρος ὁ ῥήτωρ)

Life Diodorus the Rhetorician is known solely from a fragmentary inscription dated to the Roman Imperial period (1st–3rd century CE) found in Lydia, Asia Minor [1]. The inscription identifies him only by his title, providing no further biographical details regarding his life, education, or career.

Works A single oration is attributed to him, preserved in a fragmentary state on stone. The inscription captures the opening (prooimion) of what appears to be a rhetorical display piece [1]. No other works are attested.

Significance His significance derives entirely from this epigraphic evidence, which provides a material example of rhetorical culture in the Roman East. The inscribed speech fragment illustrates the public commemoration of oratory on stone monuments in provincial civic life [1]. Diodorus thus represents the many local intellectuals whose reputations survive only through such archaeological finds.

Sources 1. ToposText: https://topostext.org/people/12085