177Some Thoughts on Slander in Philostratus

The present paper comments on the use of slander in Philostratus’ biographical works focusing on the reported slander of Scopelian ( VS ) and Apollonius of Tyana ( VA and VS ). The topic is treated from the following angles: first, the ideological angle, which takes into account ancient views on slander, its psychological roots and moral implications; second, the rhetorical angle suggested by Aristotle in his Art of rhetoric , which includes a chapter on διαβολή (3.15, 1416a) and presents rhetorical ways of responding to slander, with examples from the historical past; third, the narratological problem posited by Plutarch in his On the Malice of Herodotus 855B–856D in reporting slander and then denying it (for Plutarch, this practice results in morally ambiguous narratives); finally, the literary value and entertaining character of slander as a theme, whose lure to audiences and readers is implied by its inclusion in fictitious narratives of various types (e.g., the romantic novels).