works. His contribution to scientific writing lies solely in the incomplete Metaphrasis [ para-
phrase] of Theophrastos’ On Sense-Perception, which discusses A’s psychology from a
Neo-Platonic perspective, and specifically inquires into what T contributes
to the subject in his Physics (Books 4–5). Together with T’ summary version of
Aristotle’s On the soul, Priscian’s Metaphrasis is a major source on Theophrastos’ psychology.
Steel attributes to Priscian a commentary on Aristotle’s On the soul, but this is still disputed.
Priscian’s Solutions to King Chosroes’ scientific questions (Solutiones eorum de quibus dubitavit Chosroes
Persarum rex – only in Latin translation, CAG S.1.2), presumably written in Persia, belongs to
the proble ̄mata-genre, covering without originality soul, sleep, astronomy, lunar phases, the
four elements, animal species, and motion.
RE 22.2 (1954) 2348 (#9), W. Enßlin; C.G. Steel, The Changing Self. A Study on the Soul in Later Neoplatonism:
Iamblichus, Damascius and Priscianus (1978); C.G. Steel and P.M. Huby, Priscian, On Theophrastus’ on
Sense-Perception with ‘Simplicius’ On Aristotle On the Soul 2.5– 12 (ACA 1997); P.M. Huby, Theophrastus of
Eresus. Sources for His Life, Writings, Thought and Influence. Commentary Volume 4: Psychology (1999); BNP 11
(2007) 870, L. Brisson.
Han Baltussen
Priskos of Panion (ca 445 – 480 CE)
Rhetorician and historian, born in Panion no later than 420. Primarily a teacher of rhetoric
at Constantinople, he was among Theodosios II’s envoys to Attila the Hun in 449. In 450,
he stayed at Rome; in 452/453 he was in Syria and Egypt, visiting Damaskos, Alexandria
and the Thebaid. Around 456 he served as assessor to the magister officiorum Euphe ̄mios. In
addition to lost declamations and letters, he wrote an eight-book history, probably entitled
Historia Buzantiake ̄, covering from at least 433 to 472, classicizing in style and rich in ethno-
graphic detail, and one of the most important sources for the Huns in the time of Attila.
Unfortunately only long fragments, incorporated in the 10th c. Excerpta de legationibus
of Constantine VII Pophurogenne ̄tos, are extant. Narratives of Euagrios Skholastikos
and Theophane ̄s the Confessor preserve some fragments, other quotations survive in the
Chronicon paschale and the Souda (Pi-2301 and Z-39, s.v. Zerko ̄n). Apparently, Priskos was an
influential author in Buzantion.
Ed.: FHG 4.69–110; Blockley 1 (1981) 48–70, 113–123, 2 (1982) 222–400.
HLB 1.282–284; B. Baldwin, “Priscus of Panium,” Byzantion 50 (1980) 18–61; ODB 1721, Idem; OCD3
1248, R.J. Hopper; NP 10 (2001) 343, K.-P. Johne.
Andreas Kuelzer
Probinus (ca 350 – 450 CE?)
Wrote in Latin a geographical work, cited by the R C, and which
treated at least Africa (3.5: where he is called African), and Illyria and Dalmatia (4.15–16).
The name is common 350– 450 CE: PLRE 1 (1971) 734–735, 2 (1980) 909–910.
(*)
PTK
Proclianus (ca 180 – ca 400 CE)
M B cites two remedies from Proclianus for liver ailments: 22.34, 37
(CML 5, pp. 388, 390). The rare name is first attested 182 CE, Prokliane ̄ of Thessalonike ̄
PRISKOS OF PANION