DAMASCIUS, a celebrated heathen philosopher,
born at Damascus in the year 540, when the Goths
reigned in Italy. He wrote the life of his master I-
dorus; and dedicated it to Theodora, a very learned
and philosophical lady, who had also been a pupil to
Idorus. In this life, which was copiously written, he
frequently made oblique attacks on the Christian reli-
gion. We have nothing remaining of it but some ex-
tracts preserved by Photius. Damasclus succeeded
Theon in the rhetorical school, and Idorus in that of
philosophy, at Athens.