Hesychius of Miletus the Illustrious (Ἡσύχιος ὁ Μιλήσιος ὁ Ἰλλουστρίος) was a Greek historian and biographer of the 6th century CE, active during the reign of Emperor Justinian I [1]. His epithet “the Illustrious” (Latin: illustris) indicates he held high rank, likely as a state official [1][2]. A native of Miletus, he was the son of an advocate and father of the sophist John of Miletus; the Suda records that he taught in Constantinople, placing him within the capital’s intellectual and administrative circles [1][2].

His works, known primarily from the Suda, survive only in fragments [1][2]. They include: a “World History” (Πατρία Κωνσταντινουπόλεως), on Constantinople’s origins to 518 CE; a “History of the Reign of Justin I and Justinian I”, covering 518–527 CE; a biographical dictionary, “On Famous Men of Learning” (Περὶ τῶν ἐν παιδείᾳ ὀνομαστῶν), arranged by genre and a major source for the Suda itself; and a “Roman and General History” (Ῥωμαϊκὴ καὶ γενικὴ ἱστορία), a six-book chronicle from the Assyrian king Belus to 518 CE [1][2].

Hesychius was a key compiler and transmitter of knowledge. His biographical dictionary was foundational for later Byzantine lexicography, while his historical works provided contemporary accounts of the early 6th century [1][2]. His writings represent the secular Greek scholarly tradition during the age of Justinian [1][2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hesychius-of-Miletus 2. Suda On Line (Project of the Stoa Consortium, hosted by University of Kentucky): http://www.stoa.org/sol-entries/eta/776