BOOK VII.— Contents.

An account of certain Philosophers in times of danger —Apollonius superior to them—Cited to Rome — Ar-rival there—Accused before Domitian—Thrown intoprison—Audience given him by the Emperor —.Greater indulgence allowed him in consequence.

CHAP. I.

I AM not ignorant that the conduct of philosophersunder despotic governments, is the truest touchstone oftheir character, and I like to consider how much oneman exceeds another in courage on such occasions, andwhich to ascertain is the chief object of the followingreflections. During the reign of Domitian, Apollonius was assailed on every side with accusations and informa-tions ; the causes whence and wherefore they originated,together with the pretexts under which they were con-cealed, shall be explained hereafter. But as it is ne-cessary to specify the language he used, and the characterhe personated, under which he escaped guiltless, and atthe same time overcame the tyrant, instead of being over-come; so it is equally necessary to notice what I findmost remarkable in what has been done by other phi-losophers against tyrants, and to compare all with whatApollonius himself did, for it is by such comparison weshall come at the truth and a just appreciation of hischaracter.