2 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The Mysterious Figure of Anatolia: Alexander of Abonoteichus, the False Prophet of Rome

In the annals of history, few figures are as intriguing as Alexander of Abonoteichus, the self-proclaimed prophet who captivated the hearts and minds of many during the Roman Empire. His story is one of ambition, deception, and the relentless pursuit of power, set against the backdrop of a society teetering on the edge of change.

Alexander of Abonoteichus, also known as Alexander the Paphlagonian was a Greek mystic and oracle who lived approximately between 105 and 170 CE. Alexander of Abonoteichus was born in the ancient city of Abonoteichus (İnebolu-Kastamonu), located in the region of Paphlagonia, in what is now modern-day Türkiye. He is best remembered as the founder of the Glycon cult, which briefly gained widespread popularity throughout the Roman Empire.

The Glycon cult emerged in the 2nd century CE, during a time when the Roman Empire was experiencing a surge in various religious movements and mystery cults. Alexander claimed to have received divine revelations from a serpent deity named Glycon, who he presented as a manifestation of the god Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine. Glycon was depicted as a snake or a serpent with a human head, symbolizing both wisdom and healing.

The legend of Alexander and the snakes is an important tale that highlights his mystical and divine attributes. According to the story, Alexander encounters a group of snakes during his travels. In the tale, Alexander walks among the snakes and, rather than harming them, he manages to communicate with them. The snakes, in turn, impart secret knowledge and teach him the ability to foresee the future. This event contributes to his perception as a divine figure and strengthens the faith of his followers in him.

The Rise of Alexander

Born into obscurity, Alexander emerged in the tumultuous period of the late Roman Republic, a time marked by political strife and social upheaval. As the Republic faced internal conflicts and external threats, many sought solace in spiritual leaders who promised guidance and salvation. It was in this fertile ground that Alexander began to cultivate his persona as a prophet.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



With a charismatic presence and a silver tongue, he traveled from town to town, weaving tales of divine visions and celestial messages. His followers, drawn by the promise of hope and the allure of his prophecies, grew in number. Alexander claimed to possess the ability to communicate with the gods, offering insights into the future and solutions to the pressing problems of the day. His proclamations resonated with the disillusioned masses, who were eager for a savior in a time of uncertainty.

The figure of the snake god Glycon, dated to the 2nd century AD. Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0
The figure of the snake god Glycon, dated to the 2nd century AD. Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0

The Allure of Prophecy

What made Alexander particularly compelling was his ability to tap into the fears and desires of the people. He spoke of impending doom, but also of a glorious future, painting vivid pictures of a world transformed by divine intervention. His prophecies often mirrored the anxieties of the time, addressing issues such as famine, war, and political corruption. This uncanny ability to predict the zeitgeist endeared him to many, as they believed he was a conduit for divine wisdom.

As his influence grew, so did the complexity of his prophecies. Alexander began to intertwine his messages with political aspirations, positioning himself as not just a prophet, but a potential leader. He promised to guide his followers to a new era of prosperity, one that would be achieved through their unwavering faith in him. This dangerous blend of spirituality and ambition set the stage for a dramatic confrontation with the established order.

Lucian of Samosata, a contemporary satirist, paints a scathing portrait of Alexander, accusing him of swindling countless individuals and employing his followers in various forms of thuggery. Lucian’s sharp criticism is largely fueled by Alexander’s disdain for the Epicureans, a philosophical school that Lucian himself admired. In his writings, Lucian highlights the contrast between Alexander’s deceptive practices and the genuine philosophical pursuits of Epicurus, culminating in a eulogy that underscores the value of Epicurean thought. While Lucian’s portrayal casts Alexander as a master of fraud and deceit, it is essential to recognize that he may not have been entirely unique among the oracles of his time.

The ancient world was rife with dishonest exploitation, and many shrines and religious figures engaged in similar practices, capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of their followers. This context raises questions about the nature of belief and the fine line between genuine spirituality and manipulation, further complicating Alexander’s legacy as both a mystic and a controversial figure.

Pentassarion issued under Roman emperor Philip II. in Marcianopolis. Reverse showing a Glycon coiled left, with beard. Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0
Pentassarion issued under Roman emperor Philip II. in Marcianopolis. Reverse showing a Glycon coiled left, with beard. Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0

The Fall from Grace

However, the very traits that propelled Alexander to prominence would ultimately lead to his downfall. As his following expanded, so did the scrutiny of his claims. Skeptics emerged, questioning the authenticity of his prophecies and the motives behind his charismatic facade. The Roman authorities, wary of his growing influence, began to take notice. They viewed him as a potential threat to the stability of the Republic.

In a dramatic turn of events, a series of failed prophecies began to erode Alexander’s credibility. As famine and unrest continued to plague the region, his once-loyal followers grew disillusioned. The promises of salvation turned to ashes, and the fervor that had once surrounded him began to dissipate. The authorities seized the opportunity to discredit him, branding him a fraud and a charlatan.

Alexander lived a long life, reaching the age of seventy, but ultimately succumbed to gangrene of the leg, complicated by myiasis. His death, occurring not at the hands of Roman authorities but due to health complications, underscores the irony of a mystic who navigated the treacherous waters of his time, only to be brought down by the frailties of the human body.

Lucian of Samosata. (n.d.). Alexander the False Prophet. (Trans. by A. M. Harmon). In The Works of Lucian of Samosata (Vol. 1). Harvard University Press.

Kelly, C. (2006). The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Migliorati, G. (2020). Building the supernatural: The cult of Glykon of Abonuteichos from Lucian of Samosata to cognitive science. Cultural and Religious Studies, 8(6), 357-365. https://doi.org/10.17265/2328-2177/2020.06.004

Cover Image Credit: The bronze coin of Antoninus Pius minted in Abonoteichos and showing the snake god Glycon with the legend “ΓΛVΚΩΝ ΑΒΩΝΟΤΕΙΧΕΙΤΩΝ” (29 mm, 16.89 g) Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0

Related Articles

An Anthropologist’s life work uncovers the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization

2 April 2023

2 April 2023

Chapurukha Kusimba, an anthropologist at the University of South Florida, has uncovered the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization,...

From Caves to Mounds: The Enigmatic Burial Practices of the Southern Jê in Brazil

25 February 2025

25 February 2025

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology sheds light on the enigmatic burial practices of the Southern...

Knights-era painting found behind bricked-up arch at Museum of Archaeology in Malta

30 November 2021

30 November 2021

A newly found Knights-era painting hidden behind a bricked-up arch at the Museum of Archaeology might give insight into the...

Recent excavations at Girsu uncovered innovative civilization-saving technology of Ancient Sumerians

19 November 2023

19 November 2023

In ancient city Girsu, located near the modern city of Nasiriyah in southern Iraq, revealed through a recent excavation by...

Farmer Found Sarcophagus of Hellenistic Period in his Field

9 April 2021

9 April 2021

The citizen named E. G. in Akçakoca, Taşkuyucak District of Gölmarmara district of Manisa (Turkey), while plowing his field, thought...

Aldi construction uncovered Roman mosaic in UK

18 March 2023

18 March 2023

A team of Oxford Archaeology archaeologists discovered a Roman mosaic in the market town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Ahead of...

Archaeologists have found an intriguing Iron Age “shrine” in the Yorkshire Wolds

19 September 2021

19 September 2021

Archaeologists have discovered an interesting ancient Iron Age “shrine” in the Yorkshire Wolds, which was marked out by meticulously placed...

An Etruscan Home Discovered in Corsica “First-Of-Its-Kind Find for the Island”

11 July 2024

11 July 2024

Archaeologists have discovered the first Etruscan domestic structure, dating to the 6th to 4th centuries BC, off the east coast...

The best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy can be seen in Jerash the ancient city of Jordan’s

2 December 2021

2 December 2021

Jerash is a magnificent old Roman city located around 50 kilometers from Amman, Jordan. Jerash is considered the most well-preserved...

Çatalhöyük Unearths New Secrets: Social Change and the “House of the Dead” in One of the World’s Oldest Cities

30 August 2025

30 August 2025

Nestled in the Konya Plain of central Türkiye, Çatalhöyük, a 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to...

“Ladies of Anavlochos”: Crete’s Puzzle in Pieces

9 May 2025

9 May 2025

Perched high on the rugged slopes of Mount Anavlochos, overlooking the azure expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, lie the silent...

Underneath an Illegal Excavation House, a Subterranean City Is Revealed!

25 June 2021

25 June 2021

Upon the information that illegal excavations were carried out in a house in the İscehisar district of Afyonkarahisar in western...

Key Silla Kingdom Palace Site Found in South Korea After Decade-Long Probe

11 February 2025

11 February 2025

A decade-long investigation conducted by the Korea Heritage Service has uncovered a crucial palace site of the Silla Kingdom (57...

A wash-basin decorated with 2500-year-old Mythological creatures and Chariot races was discovered in Izmir, Turkey

28 September 2022

28 September 2022

Unique ceramic figures were discovered in the excavations carried out this year in the ancient city of Klazomenai in the...

The Error That Caused II.Ramses to Lose the Battle of Kadesh

5 February 2021

5 February 2021

The Battle of Kadesh between the Hittites and Egyptians in Anatolia, the two superpowers of the Bronze Age period, has...