For thousands of years as White said, “there was no question: miracles really happened.” The discussion wasn’t about the legitimacy of miracles occurring, it revolved the criteria of magical acts and how they were interpreted by the society they originated from. In Philostratus’s, The Life of Apollonius of Tyana, the author attempt to restore the good name of Apollonius by comparing him to other divine men such as Plato & Socrates. Philostratus emphasized that Apollonius’s gifts of foresight were given to him through studying with Brahmans of India and Egyptians philosophers. Where some people cursed him for speaking false wisdom, the author wants his readers to understand that Apollonius was a well versed man who sent letters discussing the fallacies of certain religions, laws, and traditions. He’s even recognized for restoring mishandled temples and is closely compared in divine knowledge with Pythagoras.

Based on L. Bieler’s: Characteristics of a “Divine Man”, the entire life of divine men, including their birth can be broken down into a few specific criteria. Although only Apollonius seems to fulfill all steps, Jesus is also a great example, starting with a warning like the warning given by the angel to Mary, then a usual birth place like a manger on a special day like the Sabbath, followed by some type of miracle. In Section 1.4 of Philostratus’s story, he chronicles the auspicious signs prior to Apollonius’s birth. The Egyptian god, Proteus shows himself to the mother of Apollonius just prior to her labor, telling her that her child will be special. The author also notes that Apollonius will be greater in foreknowledge and wisdom than even Proteus, this gives further credibility to his case as a divine man.

Again, Apollonius’s life story parallels the requirements of a divine man. Even as a child everyone around him knew he was special. He was smarter than his peers and had complete self-control from the start. Even after the death of his father, he returned home to deal with all affairs and try to rehabilitate his drunk of a brother. Apollonius also followed the teachings of Pythagoras, refusing to eat animal meet, where animal skin, or taking part in vices like sex or drinking. Apollonius’s memory was great and his wisdom even greater, as young man he spent five years in silence, ignoring those who would anger him with their words and holding back even during the greatest realizations. Apollonius was a great man in deeds as well as faith, never breaking his own rules and rationally contemplating larger philosophical issues from a young age.

In section 1.16 of The Life of Apollonius of Tyana, the author discusses the middle of Apollonius’s life when he has already acquired great knowledge and travels the world. Whether it’s a the Magi’s or the Egyptians, Apollonius was willing to speak with all wise men, letting them teach him novel ideas while sharing his own knowledge with them. When he entered the city of Ninus, he found a young follower who knew him, the man was named Damis and he offered his assistance in translating for the Apollonius. To his surprise, Apollonius responded “I understand all languages, without having studied any of them… if I know every language of human kind; for indeed I know also every silence of humankind.” Later in his travels when Apollonius arrives in Babylon he meets a king who asks him to share in the sacrifice of a white horse. Here instead of showing dissatisfaction, Apollonius calmly tells him you may adhere to your own rituals, but I will also adhere to my own and he offers frankincense to the sun. This is an important part in the story, where a less divine man would oust the king as wrong in tradition, while Apollonius a truly divine man, offers wisdom where it is needed and doesn’t force his opinion on others, presumably because people were so attracted to his wisdom without coercion.