Lucian of Samosata (c. 120 - after 180) was a Syrian rhetorician and satirist, writing in the Greek language, noted for his witty and scoffing nature.

He was born in Samosata, Syria and died in Athens, and he was also known as Lucianos, Lucianus and Lucinus. He is attributed as author of over 80 works but almost certainly did not write them all. His best known works are Dialogues of the Gods and Dialogues of the Dead.

Lucian wrote a satire called The Passing of Peregrinus, in which the lead character, Peregrinus, takes advantage of the generosity and gullibility of Christians. This is one of the earliest surviving pagan perceptions of Christianity.

Lucian also wrote Philopseudes (Greek for "Lover of lies"), a frame story which includes the original version of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".

External links

• Introduction to Lucian of Samosata
• Project Gutenberg e-texts of works by Lucian
• Loeb Classical Library, vol. 3/8 of Lucian's works, with facing Greek text
• Erotes - A dialogue comparing the two kinds of love