Polemon of Laodicea (Πολέμων ὁ Λαοδικεύς)

Life Polemon of Laodicea was a Greek sophist and geographer of the 2nd century CE, a leading figure of the Second Sophistic [1]. A native of Laodicea on the Lycus, he was a student of Scopelian and a contemporary of Herodes Atticus [1][2]. Renowned for his oratory and combative personality, he gained great influence, particularly in Smyrna, where he secured citizenship and imperial favors from Hadrian [1][2]. He died in old age and was buried at Smyrna [1].

Works His literary output is fragmentary. He composed celebrated speeches and declamations, now lost [1]. His geographical works, the basis for his classification as a geographer, include Peri ton kata poleis anathematon (On the Dedications in Cities) and Peri Makedonias (On Macedonia), which provide antiquarian descriptions of monuments and local histories [1][3]. A spurious treatise on physiognomy is also attributed to him [1].

Significance Polemon exemplifies the traveling sophist who wielded cultural and political authority in the Greek East under Roman rule. The fragments of his geographical works offer valuable, if sometimes criticized, insights into the monuments and civic traditions of the Hellenic world [1][3]. His career is primarily documented in Philostratus’s Lives of the Sophists [1][2].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Plato.stanford.edu): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plutarch/ 2. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (via Perseus): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dpolemon-bio-2 3. ToposText: https://topostext.org/people/1410