Philostratus’ third-century commissioned biography served to enhance the reputation of Apollonius as a “divine man” and defend Apollonius against those critical of him. Apollonius had lived roughly two hundred years earlier, and while magic was a part of the very structure of society and religion during the time, people were suspicious and dismissive of those who practiced magic for evil purposes. It is clear in Philostratus’ biography that he desires to paint a picture of Apollonius as incredibly pure and wise, and as practicing magic only for good.

To restore Apollonius’ identity, Philostratus begins by making connections between Apollonius and the revered Greek philosopher Pythagoras. He claims that Apollonius was much like Pythagoras in wisdom and yet was even more divine. Not only was Apollonius exceedingly wise and divine, he had a “purified and healthy body.” His practices were far from evil or impure, in fact, Philostratus claims that Apollonius “set straight the errors of all,” restoring temples in many cities where he became much loved by the kings and wise people there. Through these professions, Philostratus urges the reader to think of Apollonius in a revered light and sets a foundation on which to build the rest of his story.

It is very characteristic in portraits of divine men to include miraculous birth stories. The story of Apollonius is no different as Philostratus includes visions and divine visitations during both the pregnancy and birth of Apollonius. His mother is visited by an apparition of an Egyptian demigod who foreshadows that her son will be no ordinary child. Exceptional events surround Apollonius’ birth as his mother delivers him in a meadow surrounded by singing swans. Philostratus even includes a miraculous sign in the form of a thunder bolt striking the earth at the very moment he was born. In all these ways, the story of Apollonius does not stray from the typical divine man story – illustrating this was no ordinary man.

Writers of divine man stories also often include precocious childhood stories, often describing their subject as having wisdom or talent or beauty (or any combination of such) far beyond what is natural for a child of their age, and far beyond what they could have learned from the adults around them. The child is typically described as excelling in some way and amazes all who observe them. Philostratus fits Apollonius in this model by detailing his exceptional knowledge, ability, and attractiveness. Further, Apollonius had far superior moral priorities and was not driven by the typical lusts of young men, preferring to spend his time studying over pursuing temporal desires. This pure and perfect portrait of Apollonius is clearly intended to depict a man of the highest character.

Apollonius’ words and deeds benefit those around him, including his own brother with whom he is contrasted (his brother is described as crass and a slave to vice). Through his gentleness and wisdom, Apollonius manages to win over his brother to pursue a straighter path in life. He also gave the majority of his inheritance to relatives. While people may have accused Apollonius of engaging in immoral activity, Philostratus claims this is unequivocally false, and that rather his nature was noble and beneficial to all around him. Apollonius even had his own secret worship practice that only the truest and most dedicated could learn and participate in. He understood every language without learning it and was recognized as divine for this quality. Philostratus argues that through all these exceptional qualities, Apollonius had favor and connection with the gods and should be remembered with reverence and his ways followed and practiced.