We link the open character of the text to its religious and political message. Philostratus leaves it up to the reader to choose between Apollonius’ three ontological statuses : mortal, demi-god or incarnated god, Proteus ? Apollonius accepts the traditions of “barbarian wisdom” but, contrary to the Pythagorean tradition, he refuses any contact with Judaism, criticized by Euphrates as incompatible with pagan cults. Christianity is present through implicit parallels with the Gospels. Hierocles used the Vita to convince the Christians to lower their pretentions of being the only truth and the only way to the divine. Did Philostratus have the same intention by advocating a degree of skepticism and by his open attitude towards all religious traditions that remained open to the discourses of the other ?