TYRANNUS. ‘Tis said in the Acts of the Apostles,1 that St. Paul being at Ephesus, and seeing that the Jews to whom he preached, instead of being converted, were rather more hardened and obstinate, he withdrew from their Society nor went to preach in their Synagogue, but taught every Day in the School of one Tyrannus. ‘Tis enquired, who this Tyrannus was? Some think2 him to have been a Prince or great Lord, who accommodated him with his House, in which to receive and instruct his Disciples. But the generality conclude, that Tyrannus was a converted Gentile, a Friend of St. Paul’s, to whom he withdrew. The Name of one Tyrannus may be said, either of a Man of this Name, or of some sovereign Prince. But, besides, the Name Tyrannus was then become so odious, that it would not have been given to a Man that deserved nothing but what was good to be said of him, without some kind of Softening or Mitigation. Some Greek Manuscripts have Tyrannios instead of Tyrannos; and other Copies intimate, that he taught from the fifth to the tenth Hour. We find in History more Men than one by the Name of Tyrannus.
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