Oenomaus of Gadara c. 120 – c. 180
Oenomaus of Gadara (c. 120 – c. 180) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
Oenomaus of Gadara was a Greek Cynic philosopher of the second century AD, the author of a celebrated polemic against Greek and Roman oracles called The Charlatans Unmasked, of which substantial fragments are preserved in the early Christian apologist Eusebius's Preparation for the Gospel. Eusebius, who quoted Oenomaus extensively in his polemic against pagan religion, has thereby preserved one of the most sustained ancient critiques of oracular religion as exploitation of human credulity by political and priestly interests. With Demonax he was one of the leading Cynics of his age and stood at the boundary of Cynic philosophy and the rising critical reflection on traditional religion.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Cynicism, Hellenistic
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara:
“An oracle is a charlatan with a temple.”
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Attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara:
“Free will is the gift no priest may sell back to its owner.”
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Attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara:
“The gods, if they speak, do not speak in riddles only the priests can solve.”
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Attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara:
“What the believer takes for revelation, the philosopher recognizes as the echo of his own question.”
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Attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara:
“Cynic laughter is the proper philosophical response to manufactured awe.”
Frequently asked about Oenomaus of Gadara
- When did Oenomaus of Gadara live?
- Oenomaus of Gadara was born in c. 120 and died in c. 180.
- Where was Oenomaus of Gadara from?
- Oenomaus of Gadara was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
- What philosophical movements is Oenomaus of Gadara associated with?
- Oenomaus of Gadara was associated with Cynicism and Hellenistic.
- What was Oenomaus of Gadara known for?
- Oenomaus of Gadara was a Greek Cynic philosopher of the second century AD, the author of a celebrated polemic against Greek and Roman oracles called The Charlatans Unmasked, of which substantial fragments are preserved in the early Christian apologist Eusebius's Preparation for the Gospel.
- How many quotes are attributed to Oenomaus of Gadara?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Oenomaus of Gadara in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.