 Little is known about Iamblichus’ life and career, since Eunapius of Sardis’ biography of Iamblichus (Lives of Philosophers and Sophists V [Goulet 2014]) is merely hagiographical in nature. His birthplace is traditionally taken to be Chalcis ad Belum (modern Qinnasrin), although support has recently been voiced in favor of a different Chalcis, Chalcis sub Libanum (Aliquot 2010: 307 and n. 7). What is uncontroversial is that Iamblichus hailed from a very influential Syrian family, the Sampsigeramids of Emesa (Damascius, Philosophical History, Athanassiadi 1999: 334.10–14 [Zintzen 1967: 2.8–10]), who had gained access to the Imperial throne along with Elagabalus (218–222).