7 Instruction under a second writer on Aristotle at Constantinople would be entirely appropriate, and the possibility cannot be dismissed lightly. Once again, Julian's words may help. By this time, Julian had begun to devote his attention to philosophy alone, and the appearance of a second teacher, otherwise unattested, should not occasion surprise or discontent. His birth is to be dated before the foundation of Constantinople. This is in any case required by the fact that he taught Julian.
Greater certainty is difficult.
The authenticity of the letter has been questioned, and it has been grouped, correctly in my view, with other letters that belong to the first part of the fourth century. If Maximus of Byzantium did in fact teach Julian, this Eucleides can hardly be his son, since it would be necessary to date the birth of Maximus no later than c. 275. Maximus' son Eucleides can thus not be identified further. A birthdate c. 300 is thus suitable for the philosopher from Byzantium. Maximus' commentaries on Aristotle provoke interest and invite comparison with the philosophical works of Themistius, the Paraphrases .