LUCIAN, a celebrated Greek author in the first century, was born at Samosata, of obscure parents, in the reign of the emperor Trajan. He studied law, and practised some time as an advocate; but growing weary of the wrangling oratory of the bar, he commenced rhetorician. He lived to the time of Marcus Aurelius, who made him register of Alexandria in Egypt; and, according to Suidas, he was at last worried by dogs. Lucian was one of the finest wits in all antiquity. His Dialogues, and other works, are written in Greek. In these he has joined the useful to the agreeable, instruction to satire, and erudition to elegance; and we every where meet with that fine and delicate railing which characterises the Attic taste.—Those who censure him as an impious scouser at religion, have reason on their side, if religion consisted in
the theology of the Pagan poets, or in the extravagant opinions of philosophers; for he perpetually throws such ridicule on the gods and philosophers, with their vices, as inspires hatred and contempt for them; but it cannot be said that he writes any where against an over-ruling providence.