Herodes Atticus (ca. AD 101-177) was the richest Athenian of his time. His father, also named Herodes Atticus, was the first Roman consul of Greek descent. The son had a political career too: he participated in several diplomatic embassies and became consul in 143. He was also president of two Athenian sports contests, the Panhellenia and the Panathenaia.

He was married to Regilla - who was priestess of Demeter at Olympia - and had four children, of whom only one son survived him. He was also a scholar; Philostratus praised him for his rhetorical talent.

With his enormous fortune, he paid for many public buildings: a monumental fountain at Olympia, marble seats in the stadia of Delphi and Athens, a concert hall in Athens and Corinth, etc.