Aelian

Aelian (ē'lēun) [key], fl. 2d cent. A.D., Greek rhetorician, b. Praenesta; his original name was Claudius Aelianus. He taught rhetoric in Rome c.220. His works, all in Greek, include Historical Miscellanies, stories of supernatural occurrences throughout history; and On the Characteristics of Animals. Both of these are largely extant. He also wrote Peasant Letters, 20 fictitious letters from farmers from Attica.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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