8 July 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.

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

2000-year-old quarry discovered in Jerusalem that could be the source of Second temple stones

5 September 2021

5 September 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a 2,000-year-old quarry in Har Hotzvim, now an industrial park in Jerusalem. The Israel Antiquities Authority said...

Viking Tomb Discovery in Denmark May Reveal Elite Family Linked to King Harald Bluetooth

20 June 2025

20 June 2025

A stunning archaeological discovery near Aarhus, Denmark, has revealed 30 Viking Age graves that may belong to a powerful aristocratic...

The Enigmatic Architecture of Sacsayhuaman: The Sacred Stronghold of Massive Stones and Mysteries

14 March 2025

14 March 2025

Sacsayhuaman Fortress, located just outside Cusco, Peru, is one of the most astonishing archaeological complexes in the world. Initiated by...

A Medieval ‘Vampire’ Grave Found in Croatia

1 February 2025

1 February 2025

Research at the Rašaška (or Račeša) site, located in the eastern part of Croatia, revealed a grave with an unusual...

Archaeologists say they have found the lost city of Natounia, belonging to the Parthian Empire

20 July 2022

20 July 2022

Researchers suggest they may have identified the lost Parthian city of Natounia in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Although...

The inner wall was reached during the excavations of the tomb of the poet Aratos in the Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City

13 August 2021

13 August 2021

The inner wall was reached during the excavations of the tomb of Aratos, the famous poet and astronomer of the...

2000-year-old Ancient Greek ‘graduate school yearbook’ carved in stone found

5 June 2022

5 June 2022

Historians have discovered that an ancient Greek inscription on a marble slab in the collection of the National Museums of...

5,500-year-old Menhir discovered in Portugal

28 August 2023

28 August 2023

A 5,500-year-old (that is around 3500 BC) menhir has been discovered in the town of São Brás de Alportel in...

Ancient Arabic temple art depicts early camel hybrids

29 January 2022

29 January 2022

Evidence of early camel hybrids of dromedary and Bactrian camels has been uncovered by archaeologists who were working to restore...

An archaeological dig at Govan Old Churchyard revealed a remarkable new find: an early medieval ‘Govan Warrior’ stone

19 September 2023

19 September 2023

An archaeological excavation in the churchyard at Govan Old Parish Church in Glasgow, a port city on the River Clyde...

Luxurious Ancient Roman Home With Magnificent Mosaic Wall uncovered between the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill

14 December 2023

14 December 2023

Archaeologists have uncovered a luxurious Roman home between Rome’s Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, boasting an “unparalleled” mosaic featuring...

A rare bronze talismanic healing bowl was discovered in Hasankeyf excavations

3 December 2023

3 December 2023

During the ongoing excavations in the Hasankeyf mound in Batman, one of the oldest settlements in the world, an 800-year-old...

An inscription containing 15 headless falcons and unknown ancient rituals found in an ancient Egyptian temple

8 October 2022

8 October 2022

Archaeologists have discovered a shrine containing previously unknown ancient rituals during excavations at Berenike, a Greco-Roman port in Egypt’s eastern...

A newly Discovered Church in Sudan could be a Cathedral

2 June 2021

2 June 2021

Archaeologists have found the remains of the largest church known from medieval Nubia in old Dongola (Sudan). Dongola was the...

Hannibal’s Italian Ally: 170 Meters of Fortifications and 450 Roman Lead Projectiles Discovered

20 June 2025

20 June 2025

Archaeologists in Ugento, a city in southern Italy that once sided with Hannibal during the Second Punic War, have uncovered...