Lucian and His Alexander, a.k.a. Fake Prophet: Fake News and Invective Mirrored.

The article focuses on the contrasting figures of Alexander of Abonuteichos, a self-proclaimed prophet, and Lucian of Samosata, a satirist who exposed him as a fraud. It details how Alexander established a successful cult centered around a snake deity named Glykon, employing theatrical tricks and ma...

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Publicado en:Illinois Classical Studies Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 70 - 99
Autor principal: Lateiner, Donald
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: University of Illinois Press Spring2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Lucian and His Alexander, a.k.a. Fake Prophet: Fake News and Invective Mirrored.
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        au: Lateiner, Donald
        affil: Ohio Wesleyan University
      su:
        Deception
        Skepticism
        Cults
        Criticism
        Quacks & quackery
        Satire
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          Deception
          Skepticism
          Cults
          Criticism
          Quacks & quackery
          Satire
      ab: The article focuses on the contrasting figures of Alexander of Abonuteichos, a self-proclaimed prophet, and Lucian of Samosata, a satirist who exposed him as a fraud. It details how Alexander established a successful cult centered around a snake deity named Glykon, employing theatrical tricks and manipulative tactics to attract followers and gain wealth. Lucian's invective against Alexander serves to critique not only the prophet's deceptive practices but also the gullibility of his audience, illustrating a broader commentary on the nature of religious entrepreneurship in the ancient world. The text highlights the enduring themes of belief, skepticism, and the exploitation of hope in the context of spiritual and economic motivations.
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