Athenodorus was born in Canana, near
Tarsus (in modern-day Turkey); his father was
Sandon. He was a student of
Posidonius of
Rhodes, and the teacher of
Octavian (the future Caesar Augustus) at
Apollonia. He was a personal friend of
Strabo, from whom we derive some knowledge of his life. In 44 BC, he seems to have followed Octavian to Rome and continued mentoring him there. He is reputed there to have openly rebuked the Emperor, and to have instructed him to recite the alphabet before reacting in anger. Later, Athenodorus returned to Tarsus, where he was instrumental in expelling the government of
Boethus of Cilicia and drafting a new constitution for the city, the result of which was a pro-Roman
oligarchy. Athenodorus is also written of by
Pliny the Younger, who tells us of Athenodorus' renting of a
haunted house in
Athens. Athenodorus was wary because the house was exceptionally cheap for its size. When Athenodorus was writing a book of philosophy, late at night, a ghost is said to have come to him. The ghost, who was bound with chains and leg irons, beckoned Athenodorus to follow him, but was allegedly indicated by Athenodorus to wait. After he finished his writing, the ghost led him to a courtyard, and suddenly vanished. Athenodorus marked the spot, and the next day, with the permission of the city magistrates, he dug up the earth from that spot, where he found the skeleton of an old man, bound with chains. After the skeleton was given a proper burial with full honours, the ghost was said to have never haunted that house again. The legend corresponds to
Aarne-Thompson-Uther tale type 326A, "Soul Released from Torment." ==Works==