Lives of the Eminent Philosophers

by Pamela Mensch

  Euthyphro(fourth and third centuries BC): Son of Heraclides Ponticus, whose father was also named Euthyphro. Diogenes uses Euthyphro as a source attesting that Epimenides was from Crete (see 1.107).

  Favorinus of Arles(c. AD 85–155): Philosophically inclined orator and teacher of rhetoric. He is said to have been a congenital eunuch. In Rome he enjoyed influence as a member of the inner circle of the emperor Hadrian until he was exiled to the island of Chios around AD 130. He later regained favor with the emperor Antoninus Pius and was welcomed back to Rome.

  Glaucus of Rhegium(late fifth century BC): Author of a work titled On the Ancient Poets and Musicians, which was influential for stirring interest in the history of lyric poetry. Some have conjectured that Glaucus was a nom de plume of the political theorist Antiphon.

  Hecataeus of Abdera(c. 360–290 BC): Historian who popularized the notion that civilization began in Egypt.

  Hecataeus of Miletus(sixth to fifth century BC): Often thought of as the first recognized historian, he wrote a genealogy and a guide to journeying around the world. His works had significant influence on later historians such as Herodotus and Hellanicus. Hecataeus traveled widely in Asia and Egypt and is said to have produced a map of the known world. His book the Periegesis is a guide to this map, and it chronicles the countries and peoples he met during his travels.

  Hecaton of Rhodes(late second century BC): Stoic philosopher and pupil of Panaetius. Hecaton held great influence in the middle Stoic school. He wrote primarily on ethics and combined Platonic theories with Stoic doctrines. Diogenes cites his works throughout Book 7.

  Heraclides Lembus(second century BC): Biographer and historian who wrote epitomes of the Lives of Satyrus and the Successions of Sotion. Diogenes draws upon both collections.

  Heraclides Ponticus(fourth century BC): Philosopher who was a student of both Speusippus and Aristotle. He is best known for his hypothesis that the earth rotates on its axis. His writings, which survive only in fragments, display a wide range of interest, including ethics, physics, and politics. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 5.86–94.

  Heraclides of Tarsus(fl. c. 125 BC): Stoic philosopher and friend of Antipater. Diogenes discussed his life and views in the last, lost section of Book 7.

  Heraclitus of Ephesus(fl. c. 500 BC): Pre‐Socratic philosopher known for his melancholic temperament, aphorisms, and doctrine that everything is in flux. Like his philosophical contemporaries, he studied the natural world, but he also emphasized questions about self‐knowledge. Heraclitus’ surviving fragments were much examined among nineteenth‐century German philosophers such as Hegel and Nietzsche. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 9.1–17.

  Hermarchus of Mytilene(fourth and third centuries BC): Philosopher and student of Epicurus, whom he succeeded as the head of the Epicurean school in 271 BC. He wrote polemical works such as Against Plato, Against Aristotle, and Against Empedocles.

  Hermippus of Smyrna(fl. late third century BC): Peripatetic philosopher and author of a large volume of lives, including accounts of famous orators, poets, lawgivers, and philosophers. In his biographies, Hermippus tended to emphasize episodes of death and dying, and he had a liking for the sensational.

  Hermodorus of Syracuse(fourth century BC): Platonist whose texts on Plato and mathematics are no longer extant. He is said to have sold and distributed Plato’s works in Sicily.

  Herodotus(c. 484–c. 425 BC): One of the most famous Greek historians. His Histories presents an account of the Greco‐Persian wars.

  Herodotus the Epicurean(fourth and third centuries BC): Likely the recipient of Epicurus’ epitome on natural science, which has come to be known as the Letter to Herodotus (see 10.35–83). This letter presents a comprehensive account of Epicurean physical theory, and it is one of three letters on Epicurean philosophy that Diogenes preserves.

  Hesiod(c. eighth and seventh centuries BC): One of the earliest known epic poets. The two main works ascribed to him are the Theogony, a genealogy of the gods, and Works and Days, which provides moral and practical counsel on living an honest life. Diogenes reports that Zeno adapted lines from Works and Days for his own purposes (see 7.25).

  Hieronymus of Rhodes(fl. c. 290–230 BC): Philosopher and historian of literature who was active in Athens. He was a member of the Peripatetic school until he became dissatisfied with the leadership of Lyco. The surviving fragments of his works report literary gossip of the day.

  Hipparchus(c. fifth and fourth centuries BC): Associate of Democritus who was likely present at the latter’s death. Diogenes reports that Democritus persevered in his final days through the salutary effects of the fragrance of fresh bread, and Hipparchus affirmed that Democritus died peacefully after three days of this aromatherapy (see 9.43).

  Hippias of Elis(fifth century BC): Sophist, orator, and polymath who traveled throughout Greece. He was a contemporary of Protagoras and enjoyed a comfortable life as a well‐known teacher. Hippias claimed expert knowledge across a range of subjects such as grammar, poetry, music, and astronomy. He is an interlocutor in two Platonic dialogues, Hippias Major and Hippias Minor.

  Hippobotus(fl. early second century BC): Greek writer whose work On the Philosophical Schools explains the theories of the various schools and provides biographies of their adherents. Diogenes frequently cites Hippobotus as a source.

  Hipponax(late sixth century BC): Iambic poet who wrote satirical, colloquial verse. He was said to have invented parody and was much admired for his creative obscenity.

  Homer(sixth century BC): Ancient bard and legendary author of the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey. Since at least Cicero’s time, there has been debate about whether Homer was the sole author of both epics or whether the name Homer represents a collective of poets. It is now widely accepted that the Homeric poems reflect a long oral tradition.

  Idomeneus of Lampsacus(c. 325–c. 270 BC): Biographer, politician, and friend of Epicurus. He was notorious for spreading salacious gossip about various rivals.

  Ion of Chios(b. c. 480 BC): Poet, playwright, and theorist whose works survive only in fragments. Upon winning first prize for tragedy and dithyramb at the City Dionysia, he celebrated by providing wine from his native Chios to every Athenian citizen.

  Isidorus of Pergamon(dates unknown): Orator who attested to Athenodorus’ excision of passages from Zeno’s works deemed unacceptable (see 7.34). Pergamon, a naturally fortified city near the western coast of Asia Minor, served as the capital of the Attalid kings.

  Istrus(dates unknown): Greek historian who wrote about a number of different cities, including Athens, Argos, and the Egyptian colonies. Diogenes refers to him in the life of Xenophon (2.59).

  Justus of Tiberias(first century AD): Jewish historian known for his chronicle of Jewish kings from Moses to Herod. He was a close associate of Agrippa II, king of Chalcis, serving as his secretary. Justus had a long‐standing feud with rival historian Josephus, who accused him of gross historical inaccuracies.

  Laeandrius(dates unknown): Author of a history of Miletus. Diogenes reports that Laeandrius gave an alternative account of the Sages. This man is also possibly known under the name Maeandrius.

  Linus:Famous mythological musician whom Diogenes describes as being the son of Hermes and Urania, but whose birth and lineage varies in different traditions. Linus was said to have composed works on the origin of the cosmos, and Diogenes references a line from a poem attributed to him at 1.4.

  Lobon of Argos(c. third century BC): Literary forger who attributed his own verses and turns of phrase to the Seven Sages and poets such as Pindar.

  Lycophron of Chalcis(early third century BC): Tragic poet and grammarian who also wrote glosses of ancient comedies. Diogenes quotes from his satirical drama Menedemus (see 2.140).

  Lysanias(c. third century BC): Grammarian and poet who at some point may have been a follower of Diogenes the Cynic. Diogenes Laertius reports that this Lysanias was the son of a certain Aeschrio.

  Lysias(459/58–c. 380 BC): Ath
enian orator renowned in antiquity for his mastery of colloquial language. In Plato’s Phaedrus, Socrates and Phaedrus discuss a purported speech of Lysias concerning the exchange of sexual favors between an older man and a younger one. Lysias was the son of Cephalus and brother of Polemarchus, both of whom are characters in Plato’s Republic.

  Lysis of Tarentum(c. fifth century BC): Pythagorean philosopher and teacher of Epaminondas in Thebes. In the life of Pythagoras, Diogenes quotes a letter to Hippasus attributed to Lysis (see 8.42).

  Manetho(fl. 280 BC): Egyptian historian and high priest in Heliopolis during the rule of Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II. He was the first Egyptian to write in Greek about his country’s culture, religion, and history. Christian and Jewish writers often appealed to Manetho’s history in order to codify an authoritative biblical chronology.

  Melanthius(fourth century BC): Painter of the Sicyonian school who wrote On Painting, in which he claims that an artwork, just like one’s character, should express willfulness and austerity. He was known for using a palette of only four colors in his paintings. Diogenes cites his work at 4.18.

  Meleager of Gadara(fl. 100 BC): Poet and writer of satirical works on philosophy. Meleager’s writings were said to demonstrate his fluency in Greek, Syrian, and Phoenician. His best‐known work is Garland, a collection of epigrams.

  Menander(c. 344/43–292/91 BC): Poet of New Comedy. Immensely popular both during his life and for centuries afterward, he was a major influence on the comic poets who followed him, especially Plautus and Terence. His plays were so observant that Aristophanes the Grammarian famously asked, “O Menander and life, which of you took the other as your model?” One complete play has survived, as have fragments of six others.

  Menippus(first half of third century BC): Cynic philosopher known for his humorous style. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 6.99–101.

  Menodotus of Nicomedia (fl. c. AD 120): One of the first physicians to be described as an empiric doctor, one who was guided by experience rather than theory. His thinking reflects the influence of the Skeptics. The physician Galen often makes reference to Menodotus in his writings.

  Metrocles(late fourth century BC): Student of the Peripatetic philosopher Theophrastus. After an embarrassing incident during a long‐winded speech, Metrocles left Theophrastus and went to study with the Cynic Crates, who consoled the young pupil by airing his own views on the situation. Diogenes discusses Metrocles’ life and views at 6.94–95.

  Metrodorus of Chios(fourth century BC): Student of Democritus who incorporated Eleatic doctrines into his approach to atomism. In addition to philosophic texts, he composed works on history, astronomy, and meteorology.

  Metrodorus of Lampsacus(c. 331–278 BC): Follower of Epicurus and one of the four founders of the Epicurean school. Epicurus dedicated some of his writings to Metrodorus, and he reputedly set down an order that he and his cherished student be honored and commemorated on the twentieth of each month. Numerous fragments of this Metrodorus’ works survive.

  Mimnermus(seventh century BC): Elegiac poet and musician believed to be from Smyrna. He was known in antiquity for his poems extolling the pleasures of love and youth. Diogenes reports that Solon wrote verses in opposition to Mimnermus (1.60).

  Minyas(dates unknown): Perhaps a prominent resident of Miletus. Diogenes refers to him in the life of Thales (1.27), but other than that he is unknown.

  Mnesimachus(fl. c. 360 BC): Middle Comedy poet whose plays emphasized everyday life and mythological burlesque. Diogenes quotes from his Alcmeon (8.37).

  Mnesistratus of Thason(dates unknown): Author of a work titled Collected Meditations. He is otherwise unknown.

  Myronianus of Amastris(dates unknown): Greek biographer whose Chapters on Historical Parallels Diogenes often cites.

  Nausiphanes of Teos(b. c. 360 BC): Follower of Democritus who became Epicurus’ teacher around 324 BC. He passed on Democritus’ physics and theory of knowledge to Epicurus. Diogenes cites Nausiphanes’ report that Pyrrho was so revered that his native city honored him by exempting all local philosophers from paying taxes (see 9.64).

  Neanthes of Cyzicus(third century BC): Historian who wrote a six‐volume history of Greece, two works about Cyzicus, and a series of biographies. He was a student of Philiscus of Miletus.

  Nicolaus of Damascus(b. c. 64 BC): Writer of tragedies, comedies, and histories, as well as works on philosophy and natural science. Nicolaus was a close friend of Herod the Great. He wrote a handbook on Aristotle’s philosophy that became an important source for the reception of Aristotelianism in the Arab world.

  Nicomachus(fourth century BC): Son of Aristotle. Tradition has it that Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is named in his honor, either because he edited the work or because Aristotle expressly dedicated it to him. Diogenes cites Nicomachus’ testimony in the life of Eudoxus (8.88).

  Numenius:It is possible that Diogenes is referring to Numenius of Apamea, a second‐century BC Platonist and Neo‐Pythagorean who wrote a treatise titled On the Difference between the Academics and Plato. However, he could also be referring to the disciple of Pyrrho of the same name (see 9.102).

  Olympiodorus:Theophrastus’ will mentions an Olympiodorus, who is one of the will’s holders and witnesses (see 5.57). This may be the Athenian commander (fl. 307–280 BC) who resisted Macedonian aggression.

  Onetor(dates unknown): Diogenes reports that Onetor wrote an essay on the topic of whether the wise man will make money (3.9).

  Pamphila of Epidaurus(first century AD): Scholar and historian of literature who lived in Rome during the reign of Nero. Pamphila is known for having written a historical work consisting of thirty‐three books. We have fragments of her work thanks to Diogenes’ quotations; Aulus Gellius also preserves fragments of it.

  Panaetius of Rhodes(c. 185–109 BC): Stoic philosopher who succeeded Antipater as head of the Stoa. Sometime around 140 BC he took up residence in Rome and became an associate of the Roman consul Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus. He frequently traveled between Rome and Athens, where he died.

  Parmenides(fl. early fifth century BC): Philosopher who founded the Eleatic school and was one of the most controversial and influential early Greek thinkers. In his poem On Nature, much of which is extant, Parmenides made the claim that being is one, ungenerated, and unchangeable. Plato portrays the aging Parmenides in a dialogue of the same name. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 9.21–23.

  Periander(c. 627–587 BC): Tyrant of Corinth whom some count among the Seven Sages. There are conflicting stories about Periander and his legacy. Some sources report that Periander killed his wife and made love to her corpse, while others emphasize his just character and hatred of wickedness. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 1.94–100.

  Peristratus of Ephesus(dates unknown): Greek literary critic who questioned the authenticity of works attributed to Aeschines. Some scholars suggest the figure mentioned at 2.60 is properly named Pisistratus.

  Persaeus of Citium(c. 306–c. 243 BC): Disciple of Zeno who became a teacher of Stoic philosophy. He was sent to the court of Antigonus II Gonatas, king of Macedonia, in place of Zeno. While there, Persaeus educated Antigonus’ son and exerted great political influence. But after commanding a military campaign and being defeated, Persaeus took his own life out of shame.

  Phanias(second century BC): Student of Posidonius who wrote a work titled Lectures of Posidonius (see 7.41). Diogenes attests that in this work Posidonius recommended that the philosophical education begin with physics.

  Phanias of Eresus(fl. 320 BC): Follower of Aristotle and the Peripatetics who wrote works in every branch of philosophy, as well as in natural history, history, and literature.

  Phanodicus(dates unknown): It is unknown when he lived and wrote, but a statue dedicated to him was inscribed during the period of Augustus and Tiberius (c. 27 BC–AD 37).

  Philemon(368/60–267/63 BC): Poet of New Comedy who lived much of his life in Athens. Apuleius writes of Philemon’s wit and lucidity.
In the second century AD, the Athenians erected a statue in his honor.

  Philip the Megarian:Diogenes may be referring to the Philip he elsewhere lists among the philosophers who did not write anything themselves (see 1.16).

  Philiscus of Aegina(fourth centuries BC): Friend of Diogenes the Cynic who reputedly wrote tragedies. Some sources state that tragedies ascribed to Diogenes were actually written by Philiscus (see 6.73 and 80).

  Philo of Athens(fourth century BC): Architect best known for constructing the naval arsenal at Piraeus. Also known as Philo of Eleusis, he wrote a book describing the arsenal, as well as others on the proportions of sacred buildings. None of his written works have survived.

  Philochorus(c. 340–260 BC): Renowned Athenian scholar who wrote on the history and myths of Attica. He was known for his exceptional piety and was declared a prophet and diviner while still in his midthirties. Philochorus’ life came to an end when Antigonas II Gonatas, king of Macedonia, ordered his death in response to Philochorus’ support of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, king of Egypt.

  Philodemus of Gadara(c. 110–c. 40 BC): Poet and popularizer of Greek philosophy who was widely known among Romans. He was a follower of Epicurean philosophy and wrote on a range of topics including poetics, ethics, and physics. He most likely died in the ancient town of Herculaneum; some of his works are preserved in the Herculaneum papyri.

  Philolaus of Croton(c. 470–390 BC): Pythagorean philosopher and contemporary of Socrates. Sometimes referred to as Philolaus of Tarentum, he was the first to publicly disseminate Pythagorean doctrines in written form. Plato is said to have bought Philolaus’ books for the hefty sum of one hundred minas, and there was a rumor that Plato plagiarized his dialogue Timaeus from one of them. Diogenes discusses his life and views at 8.84–85.