SECUNDUS THE SILENT

Secundus lived in Athens during the 2nd c. AD. He was a distinguished teacher of philosophy. He was also called "Secundus the Athenian" (who may have been a different person).

Secundus had taken a vow of silence which he never broke not even when emperor Adrian threatened to execute him unless he spoke. Adrian spared his life and Secundus agreed to write answers to 20 questions. These answers were preserved in the work Vita Secundi Philosophi (the life of philosopher Secundus) which was popular during the Middle Ages.