He was a contemporary and friend to Roman Emperor Gallienus (253-268) and Queen of the Palmyrene Empire, Zenobia.
During the reign of Gallienus and his father Valerian, Callinicus taught Rhetoric in Athens, Greece.
Later Callinicus accepted the patronage of Syrian Queen of Palmyra, Zenobia (reigned before 258–273).
In 273, Callinicus was executed with Zenobia's chief counselor and Greek sophist, Cassius Longinus on the orders of Roman Emperor Aurelian in the city, Callinicum on the Euphrates (modern Raqqa, Syria).
Callinicus had written various literacy pieces including a number of speeches and Encomiums.