Synesius of Cyrene

Also: Synesius of Ptolemais

Born probably between 370 and 375, probably in Cyrene (now Shahhat, Libya). Died probably between 413 and 414, perhaps in Ptolemais (now Tolmeita, Libya).

A Neoplatonist pupil of Hypatia and landowner of Cyrene who went as envoy to Constantinople and became bishop of Ptolemais.

Wrote in Greek.

Places lived

393 to 395Alexandria, Egyptstudiedyears not sure
397 to 402Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)envoyyears not sure
402 to 405Alexandria, Egyptlaymanyears not sure, place probable
405 to 410Cyrene (now Shahhat, Libya)landowneryears probable, place probable
410 to 413Ptolemais (now Tolmeita, Libya)bishopyears probable

Works

3 works, in the order they were written. 3 works can be read here.

Lettersabout 394 to 413 · place not known · letterOne hundred and fifty-six letters to his brother, to Hypatia and to friends, on his life as a landowner, envoy and bishop.74,320 words
Hymnsabout 395 to 413 · place not known · poemNine or ten hymns in Doric Greek that join Neoplatonist thought with Christian faith.20,694 words
On Providence (The Egyptian Tale)400 to 402 · probably in Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey) · treatiseA myth of Osiris and Typhon that tells in disguise the events at the court of Constantinople in 399 and 400.49,240 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
Place of birth probable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
One view puts his birth at Balagrae, a small town near Cyrene.
Died probable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction (his last letters are of 413)
Place of death not sure: His last letters were written as bishop of Ptolemais; no source names the place of death
Alexandria, years not sure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
Alexandria, place sure: Synesius, Letters 137-146 and 154 (on Hypatia); Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727070 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Constantinopolis, years not sure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
The embassy lasted three years. Scholars place it in 397 to 400 or in 399 to 402.
Constantinopolis, place sure: Synesius, On Kingship; Hymn 3; On Providence; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/520998 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Alexandria, years not sure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
Alexandria, place probable: Synesius, Letter 105 (he was married there by Theophilus); Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/727070 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Cyrene, years probable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
Cyrene, place probable: Synesius, Letters and Catastasis; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/373778 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)
Ptolemais, years probable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesius; A. Fitzgerald, The Letters of Synesius of Cyrene (1926), introduction
He was chosen in 410 and made bishop in 410 or 411.
Ptolemais, place sure: Synesius, Letters 105 and 57-58; Pleiades https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/373879 (name and coordinates, checked 2026-10-12)