# Themistius

> Roman statesman, rhetorician and philosopher (317–c.388)

**Wikidata**: [Q365183](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q365183)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Themistius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/themistius

## Summary
Themistius was a Roman statesman, rhetorician, and philosopher active in the 4th century. He held various political and military roles while contributing to philosophical and rhetorical discourse, leaving behind works that reflect his expertise in logic and physics.

## Biography
- Born: 317 (approximate)
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: Unknown (no specific institutions or degrees listed)
- Known for: Political leadership, philosophical writings, and contributions to rhetoric
- Employer(s): Roman government and military
- Field(s): Philosophy, rhetoric, politics, physics, logic

## Contributions
Themistius authored several works, including:
- **On the Soul** (Περὶ ψυχῆς), a philosophical treatise discussing the nature of the soul.
- **On the Nature of Things** (Περὶ φύσεως), exploring physics and metaphysics.
- **On Logic** (Περὶ λογικῆς), a work on formal logic.
These writings reflect his expertise in philosophy, rhetoric, and physics, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his time.

## FAQs
**What were Themistius's primary roles?**
Themistius served as a Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher, holding political and military positions while engaging in scholarly pursuits.

**What fields did Themistius contribute to?**
He contributed to philosophy, rhetoric, politics, physics, and logic, leaving behind influential works in these areas.

**What are some of Themistius's notable works?**
His notable works include *On the Soul*, *On the Nature of Things*, and *On Logic*, which reflect his expertise in philosophy, physics, and logic.

## Why They Matter
Themistius's philosophical and rhetorical works provided insights into the nature of the soul, physics, and logic, influencing later scholars. His political leadership and military service shaped Roman governance during a critical period. His contributions to intellectual discourse ensured his legacy as a key figure in Roman intellectual history.

## Notable For
- Authored influential philosophical and rhetorical works, including *On the Soul* and *On Logic*.
- Served as a Roman statesman and military personnel, contributing to political and military governance.
- Held citizenship in the Roman Empire, reflecting his status as a prominent figure of his time.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Themistius was born around 317 and died circa 388, serving as a Roman statesman, philosopher, and orator. His exact birthplace is unknown, but his Roman citizenship indicates he was a prominent figure of his time.

### Career and Political Roles
Themistius held significant political and military positions, serving in the Roman government and military. His roles included statesman and military personnel, reflecting his influence in both governance and defense.

### Philosophical and Rhetorical Contributions
Themistius was a philosopher and orator, contributing to intellectual discourse through his writings. His works, such as *On the Soul*, *On the Nature of Things*, and *On Logic*, explored philosophy, physics, and logic, leaving a lasting impact on scholarly thought.

### Influence and Legacy
Themistius's contributions to philosophy, rhetoric, and politics ensured his place in Roman intellectual history. His writings on the soul, physics, and logic influenced later scholars, while his political leadership shaped Roman governance. His legacy endures as a key figure in the development of Roman thought and governance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. LIBRIS. 2018
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. CiNii Research
5. BnF authorities
6. Autoritats UB
7. Catalogue of the Library of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
8. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
9. AlKindi
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. CERL Thesaurus
12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
13. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.1372)
14. Enciclopedia Treccani
15. Treccani Philosophy
16. HMML Authority File