---
title: Lucian of Samosata
author: William Faithorne
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21550/lucian-of-samosata/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-01-26
---
# Lucian of Samosata
_Authored by William Faithorne_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21550.png)
## Image Caption
Bust of Lucian of Samosata, image included by William Faithorne in John Dryden's *The works of Lucian, translated from the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) by several eminent hands,* London, 1711.
Born in [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/) in the 2nd century CE, Lucian was a well-known satirist, social critic, and pamphleteer whose prose criticized organized [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/), cults, superstition, and belief in magic.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Faithorne, W. (2026, January 26). Lucian of Samosata. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Faithorne, William. "Lucian of Samosata." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 26, 2026. .
### MLA
Faithorne, William. "Lucian of Samosata." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Jan 2026, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucian_of_Samosata.png) by [**William Faithorne**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucian_of_Samosata.png). Submitted by [Franco R. Batista Garcia](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/francobatista022/ "User Page: Franco R. Batista Garcia"), published on 26 January 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.