History leading up to question:

I have enjoyed several lectures on the historical Jesus from
Princeston and UCSD but am not sure why I can find any recording
lectures mentioning Apollonius Tyanĉus. I would have expected
religious studies and institutions to have commented on Apollonius and
Jesus two profits alive at the same time. But this does not seem to be
the case. Is this because Apollonius is not schollary material, is he
more myth than history.

Question:

Is Apollonis, or i think simon magnus as he could also be refered as
(not sure though), a historical figure influencing christianity,
gnostism, et cetera, and a figure that has attracted scholars to try
to examine because of his impact or is he more of a "nostradamus"
seeking more attention from crack pot psuedo- historians. If he is an
influential historical figure are their universities either US or
otherwise which have lectures available on him and his life and
acomplishments or at least the Nag Hammadi as a historical text?

The Life of Apollonius of Tyana by Philostratus was supposedly based
upon the memoirs left by Damis, a companion of Apollonius, and other
records. It has been argued that Philostratus invented Damis as a
source, but others have argued that Damis probably existed and was
himself of an inventive turn of mind, embellishing the historical
figure of Apollonius. In support of this position is cited the lost
orations of Euphrates, a contemporary, against Apollonius, and the
witness of Origen, who said that he had read the orations.

Life of Apollonius of Tyana, 2 vols., Conybeare, F.C., Loeb Classical
Library, HUP, Cambridge, USA 1969

hlabadie-ga

In combination with the Comments of hlabadie-ga above, you may enjoy
reading the substantial online essay about Apollonius of Tyana which
begins here:

[Apollonius of Tyana (by Jona Lendering)]
http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/apollonius/apollonius01.html

This article delves behind the possible sources Philostratus used in
composing his biographic romance, and it may shed some scholarly light
on this subject.

regards, mathtalk-ga