Dio Chrysostom (surname literally means "golden-mouthed") was part of the Second Sophistic school of Greek philosophers which reached its peak in the early 2nd century. He was considered one of the most eminent of the Greek rhetoricians and sophists by the ancients who wrote about him, such as Philostratus, Synesius, and Photius.

Eighty of his Discourses are extant, as well as a few Letters and a funny mock essay "In Praise of Hair", as well as a few other fragments. These orations appear to be written versions of his oral teaching, and are like essays on political, moral, and philosophical subjects.