Greek philosophers
Nikolaos of Damascus
Nikolaos of Damascus was a Greek philosopher, historian, chronicler and diplomat. He was born in 64 BC in Damascus (Syria) and died in 4 AD in Rome.
Nikolaos was born into a wealthy and educated family of the politician Antipater. He was given a philosophical education in the Peripatetic school and, together with Sophronius, was tutor to the children of Caesar and Cleopatra.
Nicholas later became an advisor, chronicler, historian and diplomat to King Herod the Great. His brother Ptolemy of Damascus served as economic advisor. When King Herod died, he became advisor to his son Herod Antipas.
Nikolaos of Damascus wrote a historical encyclopedia of 144 books (other sources list 80 books). However, only fragments of 15 books survive. This encyclopaedia was a primary source for Flavius Iosephus, for example on the subject of Abraham. Nikolaos, on the other hand, drew heavily on Ctesias.
He also wrote a biography of King Herod, a biography of the Emperor Augustus, his own autobiography, a compendium of Aristotle's philosophy, and several plays.