Æliānus Claudus

, a Roman sophist of Præneste, in the reign of Adrian. He first taught rhetoric at Rome; but being disgusted with his profe ion, he became author, and published treatises on animals in 17 books, on various history in 14 books, . , in Greek, a language which he preferred to Latin. In his writings he shows himself very fond of the marvellous, and relates many stories which are often devoid of elegance and purity of style; though Phi lost ratus has commended his language as superior to what could be expected from a person who was neither born nor educated in Greece. Ælian died in the 60th year of his age, A.D. 140. The best editions of his works collected together are that of Conrad Gesner, folio, printed Tigurii, 1556, though now seldom to be met with, and that of Kuenius, 2 vols. , 8vo, Lipscomb, 1780. Some attribute the treatise on the tactics of the Greeks to another Ælian.