Lives of the Eminent Philosophers

by Pamela Mensch

  A classic treatment of Epicurus’ relationship to the earlier Greek atomists Leucippus and Democritus is Cyril Bailey’s The Greek Atomists and Epicurus (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1928). For differing accounts of the Epicurus–Lucretius relationship, see Diskin Clay, Lucretius and Epicurus (Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1983); and David Sedley, Lucretius and the Transformation of Greek Wisdom (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998). On Epicurus’ reception and influence, see Howard Jones, The Epicurean Tradition (London: Routledge, 1989). A good cross-section of recent work on the Epicurean school after Epicurus can be found in the essays collected in Jeffrey Fish and Kirk R. Sanders, eds., Epicurus and the Epicurean Tradition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011).

  Glossary of Ancient Sources

  Joseph M. Lemelin

  Achaeus of Eretria(b. c. 484 BC): Tragic poet who lived in Athens. It is said that Euripides adapted from him the adage “in well‐fed bodies, love resides.”

  Achaïcus(first century BC): Author of a treatise titled Ethics. Diogenes uses him as a source attesting that Menippus was a slave (see 6.99).

  Aenesidemus of Cnossus(c. first century BC): Philosopher who sought to restore the Skeptical spirit to the Academy.

  Aeschines Socraticus(c. 425–c. 350 BC): Follower of Socrates. Aeschines composed Socratic dialogues, only fragments of which are extant. While his dialogues were said to have been lacking in philosophical depth, they were lauded in antiquity for faithfully portraying Socrates’ character, wit, and conversational style. This Aeschines, also known as Aeschines of Sphettus, is not to be confused with the more well‐known fourth‐century orator of the same name. Diogenes discusses the life and views of this Aeschines at 2.60–64.

  Agrippa(dates unknown): Skeptical philosopher who flourished after the time of Aenesidemus of Cnossus, which dates him at least later than the first century BC. He is known for introducing a set of five modes into Skeptical argumentation (see 9.88).

  Alcaeus(b. c. 625–620 BC): One of the most admired ancient lyric poets. Only fragments of his works are extant. Alcaeus was born in Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos.

  Alcidamas(fourth century BC): Rhetorician and pupil of Gorgias of Leontini. Alcidamas advocated the importance of speaking extemporaneously on a wide range of topics, and is said to have had a florid and pompous manner of expression.

  Alcimus(dates unknown): Sicilian rhetorician and historian. Alcimus composed a work on the mathematician Amyntas in which the former claims that Plato had stolen some of his ideas from Epicharmus (see 3.9).

  Alcmeon of Croton(fifth century BC): Pythagorean philosopher who is said to have written a book on nature that Aristotle and Theophrastus consulted. He argued that the soul is immortal and travels along an endless cycle similar to that of the heavenly bodies. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 8.83.

  Alexander(b. c. 105 BC): Greek scholar and historian whose enormous output earned him the nickname Polyhistor. His most famous work is a history of all the countries of the ancient world, but he also wrote a history of philosophers titled the Successions. Alexander is renowned for his productivity, but less so for originality or judgment. He died in a house fire.

  Alexis(c. 375–c. 275 BC): Poet of Middle and New Comedy who lived and worked most of his life in Athens. Alexis was popular in his own time and is said to have tutored the more well‐known comic poet Menander. Roman comic poets later imitated and adapted Alexis’s plays. This may be the same Alexis to whom Plato addressed his erotic epigram (see 3.31).

  Alexo of Myndus(dates unknown): Undocumented outside of Diogenes’ reference to him (see 1.29). Myndus was a colony on the coast of Asia Minor known for its strong walls. Upon visiting Myndus, Diogenes the Cynic is said to have quipped about the mismatch between the greatness of the walls and the city that they enclosed.

  Ambryon(dates unknown): Otherwise unknown. Ambryon apparently wrote a biography of Theocritus of Chios, who ridicules Aristotle in the fragment Diogenes quotes (5.11).

  Ameipsias(fifth and fourth centuries BC): Athenian comic poet. He presented a caricature of Socrates in his play Connos similar to that in Aristophanes’ Clouds (see 2.28). In 423 BC the two poets competed against each other at the City Dionysia, with Ameipsias taking second place and Aristophanes third.

  Amphicrates of Athens(first century AD): Possibly the rhetorician who was exiled from Athens to Seleucia, where he refused to open a school of rhetoric because he claimed the city’s people were beneath him. Diogenes reports that Amphicrates wrote a book titled On Illustrious Men (2.101).

  Amphis(c. fourth century BC): Comic poet of Middle Comedy. His plays survive only in fragments, which display an interest in ordinary dealings of everyday life. While Amphis’s precise dates are unknown, a reference to Plato in an extant fragment of his work shows that he could not have been writing before the latter was active.

  Anacharsis(sixth century BC): Scythian prince who took on legendary status among the Greeks. He was known for his wisdom and was counted as one of the Seven Sages. Anacharsis was often portrayed as the archetypical wise barbarian. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 1.101–5.

  Anaxandrides(fourth century BC): Poet of Middle Comedy who won several dramatic competitions in the Lenaea and the City Dionysia.

  Anaxilaides(dates unknown): Undocumented outside of Diogenes’ text. In his lost book On Philosophy, Anaxilaides reputedly described the relations between Plato’s parents that eventually led to the philosopher’s birth (see 3.2).

  Anaxilas(mid‐fourth century BC): Middle Comedy poet whose plays are preserved only in fragments. Nineteen titles have been handed down to us. Diogenes reports that Anaxilas pokes fun at Plato in his plays Botrylion, Circe, and Wealthy Women (3.28).

  Anaxilaus(dates unknown): Historian of whom little is known. Diogenes mentions him in the life of Myson (1.107).

  Anaximenes of Lampsacus(c. 380–320 BC): Rhetorician and historian. Among the titles attributed to him are the manual of rhetoric Rhetorica ad Alexandrum and the histories Philippica and Hellenica. Anaximenes was a student of the Cynic philosopher Zoilus, who was known for his caustic criticisms of Plato and Homer.

  Andron of Ephesus(dates unknown): Author of a work titled Tripod that discusses the Seven Sages. Andron’s work has not survived.

  Antagoras of Rhodes(third century BC): Poet who composed epigrams as well as works titled Hymn to Love and Thebais. Diogenes reports that he was a vibrant presence at the drinking parties of Menedemus and that he wrote a poem about the tangled love affair between Crates and Polemon (see 2.133 and 4.21).

  Anticlides of Athens(fl. third century BC): Author known for a history of Alexander and a work on mythology. Scholars note a Peripatetic approach in the fragments of his works. He reputedly added romantic flourishes to his account of the Trojan War and wrote alternative versions of ancient legends.

  Antidorus:It is unclear which Antidorus Diogenes is referencing. Antidorus is given the epithet Sannidorus, perhaps a play on his name derived from the verb sainein (“to fawn”) and dōron (“gift”)—i.e., “Gift‐Bearing Fawner.” Diogenes also tells us that a certain Antidorus the Epicurean wrote a work against Heraclides. The name appears three times (see 5.92, 10.8, and 10.28).

  Antigonus of Carystus(fl. 240 BC): Writer and celebrated bronze worker who was active in Athens. He is said to have been an associate of the Academics. Antigonus also wrote biographies, and Diogenes often draws upon his Lives of Philosophers.

  Antileon(dates unknown): Author of a work titled On Dates. Antileon is unknown outside of Diogenes’ reference to him in the life of Plato (3.3).

  Antiochus of Laodicea(dates unknown): Philosopher whom Diogenes mentions in the life of Pyrrho (9.106).

  Antipater of Tarsus(second century BC): Stoic philosopher, teacher of Panaetius, and head of the Stoa at Athens after Diogenes of Babylon.

  Antipater of Tyre(first century BC): Philosopher who wrote a treatise On the Cosmos. He is said to have introduced Cato to Stoic philosoph
y.

  Antiphon:The author of On Men of Exceptional Virtue is either Antiphon of Athens (fifth century BC), a sophist and dream interpreter, or his namesake, an Attic orator (c. 480–411 BC). Scholars are divided about whether these two are the same person. Fragments survive of a work On Truth attributed to the former; in it, the author discusses the distinction between convention (nomos) and nature (physis).

  Antiphon of Sidon:Since two of the known Antiphons were associated primarily with Athens and the third died before Zeno’s time, it is unclear which of them Diogenes is referring to in his life of Zeno (see 7.29).

  Antisthenes of Athens(c. 445–c. 365 BC): Athenian teacher who wrote on many subjects. He was a friend of Socrates and was supposed to have been present at the latter’s trial. Diogenes credits him with establishing the Cynic way of life. Antisthenes wrote Socratic dialogues and was said to have had a rivalry with Plato. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 6.1–19.

  Antisthenes of Rhodes(fl. c. 200 BC): Historian who wrote a work titled Successions of Philosophers as well as a history of Rhodes. Diogenes cites his work in the life of Heraclitus. This Antisthenes is not to be confused with the philosopher of the same name whom Diogenes writes about at 6.1–19.

  Apellas(dates unknown): Author of a work called Agrippa in which he discusses Agrippa’s five modes of Skepticism. Diogenes references this work at 9.106.

  Apollodorus the Arithmetician(dates unknown): Known as one of Diogenes’ sources in the accounts of Thales (1.25) and Pythagoras (8.12).

  Apollodorus of Athens(c. 180–after 120 BC): Scholar who wrote on a variety of topics including chronology, mythology, theology, geography, and etymology.

  Apollodorus of Cyzicus(dates uncertain): Little is known about this Apollodorus. Diogenes uses him as a source who states that Democritus studied with Philolaus (9.38). It is thought that Apollodorus may have been a follower of Democritus, which would place him in the early fourth century BC.

  Apollodorus Ephelus(first century BC): Stoic philosopher thought to have lived during the time of Posidonius. Diogenes reports that he wrote a work titled Introduction to the Doctrines that divided philosophy into physics, ethics, and logic (see 7.39). See also Apollodorus of Seleucia.

  Apollodorus of Seleucia(first century BC): Thought to be the same as Apollodorus Ephelus. Book 7, which gives accounts of the lives of Stoics, is incomplete as it has been handed down to us. Ancient sources state that Diogenes had included lives of other Stoics, including Apollodorus of Seleucia, in the full version.

  Apollonides of Nicaea(first century AD): Pupil of the Skeptical philosopher Pyrrho. Apollonides was an associate of the Roman emperor Tiberius and dedicated his commentary on the Lampoons of Timon of Phlius to him. Among his other works (all lost) are a commentary on the orations of Demosthenes, and a work on the tragic poet Ion.

  Apollonius Molon(first century BC): Orator said to have lectured in Rhodes and tutored Cicero in Rome. Sources state he was talented in the art of pleading.

  Apollonius of Tyre(fl. c. 50 BC): Author of a text on the philosophers of Zeno’s school and their works, as Strabo attests. Diogenes uses his book On Zeno as a source throughout Book 7.

  Apollophanes(fl. c. 250 BC): Stoic philosopher born in Antioch and an intimate of Ariston of Chios. He is said to have written two works, Ariston (about his friend) and On Natural Philosophy.

  Arcesilaus(316/15–242/41 BC): Pupil of Theophrastus at the Lyceum who later became head of the Academy (c. 268 BC). He is known for bringing a Skeptical spirit to Plato’s school and for founding what came to be known as the Middle Academy. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 4.28–45.

  Archedemus of Tarsus(fl. c. 140 BC): Stoic philosopher and supposed student of Diogenes of Babylon. Diogenes reports that he wrote On Voice (7.55) and On Elements (7.134).

  Archetimus of Syracuse(c. sixth century BC): Diogenes states that Archetimus was a witness to an alleged meeting between Thales and the Sages (1.40).

  Archilochus(seventh century BC): Lyric poet from Paros. He was notorious for his biting wit, which he directed at friends and foes alike. A few complete poems of his, and many fragments, survive; some of these describe his love affair with a girl named Neoboule.

  Archytas the Architect(dates unknown): Author of a work titled On Mechanism. Vitruvius alludes to an Archytas, but scholars are unsure whether he confuses Archytas the Architect and Archytas of Tarentum. Diogenes for his part attempts to make a distinction between them (see 8.82).

  Archytas of Tarentum(fl. c. 400–350 BC): Pythagorean philosopher, mathematician, and political leader. It was Archytas who arranged Plato’s rescue from Dionysius II in Syracuse (361 BC). He is also credited with solving the problem of the duplication of the cube. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 8.79–83.

  Aristagoras of Miletus(fl. c. 505–496 BC): Tyrant of Miletus who led the failed Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. Seeking refuge, he moved to Thrace and later died there during a confrontation with some native Thracians.

  Aristippus(or Pseudo‐Aristippus) (dates unknown): Author of On the Luxuriousness of the Ancients, which spread erotic gossip about various philosophers. Diogenes uses this work as a source attesting that Periander took pleasure in sleeping with his mother. This Aristippus is not the hedonist philosopher Aristippus of Cyrene whose life Diogenes discusses in Book 2, but a later author who took on that name, presumably to give his work greater credibility.

  Aristippus of Cyrene:It is uncertain whether Diogenes is referring to the founder of the Cyrenaic school (c. 435–350 BC; see 2.65–104) or his grandson of the same name. Aristippus the elder was a friend of Socrates and a teacher of rhetoric. Aristippus the younger was a follower of the Cyrenaic school and was associated with the doctrine that only the present moment contains reality.

  Ariston of Ceos(fl. c. 225 BC): Peripatetic who wrote biographical sketches of philosophers. He is thought to have been head of the Lyceum after Lyco.

  Ariston of Chios(c. 320–c. 250 BC): Stoic philosopher who was a student of Zeno of Citium. At the height of his influence, he was one of the most widely known philosophers in Athens. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 7.160–64.

  Aristophanes(c. 450–c. 386 BC): One of the greatest comic poets of Old Attic Comedy. Of at least forty plays, eleven have survived to our time. Along with that of Plato and Xenophon, his surviving work gives us characterizations of Socrates. In his play Clouds, Aristophanes famously caricatures Socrates as a corrupt teacher of rhetoric skilled at making the weaker argument the stronger one.

  Aristophanes the Grammarian(c. 257–180 BC): Scholar credited with implementing the use of Greek accents. He served as head of the Alexandrian Library (c. 194 BC), succeeding Eratosthenes. According to Diogenes, he proposed an ill‐fated grouping of Plato’s dialogues into trilogies (3.61).

  Aristophon(dates unknown): Otherwise unknown author of Pythagoras’s Disciples, in which the Pythagoreans are characterized as being vegetarian and lacking in basic hygiene (see 8.38).

  Aristotle(384–322 BC): Philosopher, scientist, and teacher of Alexander the Great. Aristotle was a student of Plato and one of his most infamous critics. He was born in the city of Stagira, which earned him the nickname the Stagirite. Aristotle’s works exerted immense authority in philosophy and science until the rise of Newtonianism in the seventeenth century. To medieval philosophers before that time, Aristotle was known simply as the Philosopher. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 5.1–35.

  Aristoxenus(b. c. 370 BC): Philosopher, musical theorist, and student of Aristotle at the Lyceum. Of his works, only an incomplete treatise classifying Greek music and melody has survived. He is known for challenging his elders and he claimed that Plato plagiarized much of the Republic from Protagoras.

  Artemidorus the Dialectician(third century BC): Author of a treatise titled A Reply to Chrysippus. He attests to the notion that Protagoras was the first to demonstrate that any proposition can be criticized (see 9.53).

  Ascani
us of Abdera(dates unknown): Otherwise unknown. Diogenes appeals to Ascanius as a source for the conjecture that Pyrrho had adopted agnosticism and the suspension of judgment through the influence of the Naked Sages and the Magi (9.61).

  Athenaeus(dates unknown): Epigrammatist whom Diogenes uses as a source in the lives of Antisthenes (6.14), Epicurus (10.11), and Zeno (7.30). Athenaeus is otherwise unknown.

  Athenodorus the Stoic(first century BC): Head of the library at Pergamon and an associate of Cato Uticensis, great‐grandson and namesake of the Roman politician and historian. Diogenes reports that this Athenodorus was thought to have redacted passages from Zeno’s works deemed unacceptable (7.34).

  Athenodorus of Tarsus(fl. 44 BC): Stoic philosopher who served as adviser to the emperor Augustus. He published a number of works, including a refutation of Aristotle’s Categories.

  Bias of Priene(fl. sixth century BC): Widely regarded as one of the Seven Sages and known for his strength of character. Even the disdainful Heraclitus is said to have extolled his incorruptible nature. Bias’s maxim was: Most men are bad. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 1.82–88.

  Bion of Borysthenes(c. 335–c. 245 BC): Philosopher known for his wit and theatricality who eventually became court philosopher of Antigonus II Gonatas, king of Macedonia. He claimed to have been the son of a salt‐fish dealer and a former prostitute. Bion famously quipped that the road to Hades was so easy to navigate that people traveled it with their eyes closed. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 4.46–58.

  Boethus of Sidon(second century BC): Stoic philosopher and student of Diogenes of Babylon. His principal interests were astronomy and meteorology. This Boethus of Sidon is not the commentator on Aristotle of the same name who lived during the time of Augustus.