is no bound to those who wealth acquire For they who are possest of most desire As much again and who can all content Even those full blessings which the Gods have lent Man variously to his own harm applies Whom Jove by means as various doth chastice Again OUr City never can subverted be By Jove or any other Deitie For Pallas eye surveyes with pious care The wals which by her hand protected are Yet the inhabitants of this great Town Fondly inclin'd to wealth will throw it down And those unjust great persons who are bent Others to wrong themselves to discontent For their insatiate fancies have not power Tâ—enjoy the sweetnesse of the instant hower But by all wicked means intent on gain From hallowed nor from publick things refrain Riches by theft and cozenage to possesse The sacred bounds of justice they transgresse Who silent sees the present knowes the past And will revenge these injuries at last Causing a cureless rupture in the state And all our liberties shall captivate Rouse war from his long slumber who the flower Of all our youths shall bloodily devour For Cities which injuriously oppose Their friends are soon invaded by their foes These are the common evills of the poor Many transported to a forraign shore To bondage there and fetters shall be sold. Each private house thus shares the publick fate Nor can exclude it with a ban'd-up gate For scaling furiously the higher walls On those whom beds or corners hides it falls My soule Athenians prompts me to relate What miseries upon injustice wait But justice all things orderly designes And in strict fetters the unjust confines What 's soure she sweetens and allaies what cloyes Wrong she repells ill in the grouth destroyes Softens the stubborn the unjust reformes And in the state calmes all seditious stormes Bitter dissention by her raign supprest Who wisely governes all things for the best Another NO man is blessed bad is every one That feeles the warmth of the all-seeing Sâ—n. Another LEt me not die unpitti'd every friend With sighes and tears my latest hower attend CHILO CHILON CHAP. I. Chilon his life CHILON was a Lacedaemonian son of Damagetus corruptly termed in Stobaeus Page 6. He was eminent amongst the Greeks for two predictions The first to Hippocrates to whom being a private person hapned a great prodigie at the Olympick games having prepared an offering and filled a Cauldron with flesh and water it boiled over without fire This portent Chilon accidentally present beholding advised him that he should not take a wise by whom he might have issue that if he had one he should put her away and if a son turn him out of dores Hippocrates not following this advice brought up his son Pisistratus who in the sedition of the Maritimes and countrymen at Athens those led by Megacles these by Lycurgus stirred up a third faction and gained the tyranny He was much renowwed also for his prediction concerning Cythera a Lacedaemonian Island examining the Scituation thereof would to God said he it had never been or since it is it might be swallowed up by the sea and wisely did he foresee Damaratus a Laecedaemonian exile counselled Xerxes to seize upon that Island which advice if he had followed would have ruined all Greece His words according to Herodotus were these You may effect your desires if you send three hundred ships to the Lacedaemonian coast there lies an Island named Cythera of which Chilon a person of greatest wisdome amongst us said it were better for the Lacedaemonians that it were under water then above he it seemes expected from it some such thing as I am now going to declare not that he foresaw your Navy but doubting any in the same kind Let your men issue out of this Island upon the Lacedaemonians to strike them into terror Afterwards in the time of the Peloponesian war Nicias taking the Island placed some Athenians therein who much infested the Lacedaemonians Laertius saith that he was old in the fifty two Olympiad at what time Aesop flourish'd that he was Epâ—orus in the fiftie sixt Casaubon reads the fiftie five but Pamphila continueth Laertius saith in the sixt He was first Ephorus when Euthydemus was Archon as Sosicrates also affirmes and first appointed the Ephori to be joyned with Kings which Satyrus saith was the institution of Lycurgus Hence it is doubtfull whether Chilon was Ephorus in the sixt Olympiad or in the fiftie sixt the latter is more probable in as much as he bore that office when Euthydemus was Archon at Athens which was in the fiftie sixt Olympiad as appeares by the Marmor Arunde lianum where for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is corruptly read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred Archonte populo But it is likewise true that the Ephori were first created about the sixt Olympiad when Polydorus and Theopompus were Kings of Lacedaemon a hundred and thirty yeares after â—ycurgus as Plutarch in his life affirmes from which time there were five annuall Ephori chosen in Lacedaemon whereof the first is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the year had its denomination from him the first of the first election was Elatus Chilon in the fiftie sixt Olympiad was the first of the five of his year which might perhaps give the occasion of the mistake to them who take him to be the first of that institution of whom is * Scaliger How he behav'd himself in this office may be gathered from his speech to his brother displeased that himselfe was not Ephorus at the same time I can bear injuries saith he you cannot He was so just in all his actions that in his old age he professed he never had done any thing contrary to the conscience of an upright man only that of one thing he was doubtfull having given sentence against his friend according to law he advised his friend to appeal from him his Judge so to preserve both his friend and the law Agellius relates it thus When his life drew towards an end ready to be seized by death he spoke thus to his friends about him My words and actions in this long term of years have been almost all such as I need not repent of which perhaps you also know truly even at this time I am certain I never committed any thing the remembrance whereof begets any trouble in me unlesse this one thing only which whether it were done amisse or not I am uncertain I sat with two others as Judge upon the life of my friend the law was such as the person must of necessity be condemned so that either my friend must lose his life or some deceit be used towards the Law revolving many things in my mind for relief of a condition so despeate I conceived that which I put in practise to be of all other the most easie to be born Silently I condemned him and perswaded those others who judged to absolve him
the thirtieth year And no lesse erre Ammonius if he be Author of that Life and Olympiodorus who affirm that Aristotle coming to Athens in the seventeenth year of his age heard Socrates three years whereas Socrates was put to death when Laches was Archon thirty two years before Nausigenes under whom Aristotle was seventeen years old Being recommended to Plato he became his Disciple and so continued twenty years as an Epistle of his to Philip cited by the old Interpreter of his life did testifie Plato much loved him and admired his acutenesse of apprehension and diligence in study for which Philoponus saith Plato used to call him the Minde of the Schoole and when he was not at his Lectures he would say The Intellect is not here or as Rhodiginus The Philosopher of truth is absent And comparing his acutenesse with the dulnesse of Xenocrates Plato was wont to say What an horse and what an asse have I to yoke together Xenocrates needs a spur Aristotle a bit Whilst he lived with Plato he was extreamly studious and given to reading insomuch that Plato called his house the house of the great Reader and would often say Let us go to the great Readers house This may be confirmed by that great number of antient Authors which are cited in his works And though Laertius either in his own or Carneades's words saith that Aristotle hath thrust in as many sentences of old Authors in his writings as both Zeno and Chrysippus yet every one that is acquainted with the writings of Aristotle knoweth how judiciously and concisely he giveth an account of their opinions not for ostentation but disquisition Some report there was a great enmity betwixt Plato and Aristotle which first arose from Plato's dislike of his manner of habit For Aristotle wore rich garments and rich shooes and contrary to Plato's rule cut his hair short and wore rings He had likewise say they a scornfull derision in his look and tenacious contradiction in his discourse which Plato not approving preferred before him Xenocrates Speusippus Amyclas and others to whom he communicated his Doctrine and many favours but repudiated Aristotle who thereupon whilst Plato was yet alive set up a School in opposition to him in the Lyceum at which ingratitude â—lato much troubled said Aristotle kicks at us as young Colis at the damme that foaled them when they have sucked their sill and for that reason usually called Aristotle the Colt They add that Xenocrates being gone into his Country and Speusippus not well Aristotle came into Plato's School with some of his followers and circumvented him with fallacious arguments whereupon Plato retired to his own house and there taught privately leaving Aristotle in possession of the Schoole which he kept till Xenocrates returning ejected him and reinstated Plato The chiefe author of this report seemes to have been Aristoxenus cited by Eusebius who as Suidas observes assoon as Aristotle was dead cast many aspersions upon him out of a malitious revenge because Aristotle preferred Theophrastus before him in the succession of the School notwithstanding that Aristoxenus had gained a great name and credit among the Disciples But as Ammonius argues it is not likely that Aristotle if he would could have ejected Plato out of the School or have obtained licence to erect a new one in opposition to him for as much as at the same time Chaâ—rias and Timotheus Plato's kinsmen were in great power and Generalls of the Athenian forces Yet some there are who affirm this grounding it only on Aristotles contradicting of Plato in many things to which Ammonius answers that Aristotle doth not simply contradict Plato but those who misinterpret his writings For if he do sometimes contradict Plato what wonder seeing that therein he followeth Plato his Author whose saying it was that Truth ought to be preferred before all things as also that saying Socrates indeed is dear but Truth most dear And elsewhere What Socrates saith we must not so much regard as we ought to be solicitous concerning Truth The same course Aristotle took if at any time he confuted Plato's assertion therein obeying him by following the Truth and it is observed by some that he is very sparing in naming him where he opposeth his doctrine and that thrice he makes honourable mention of him in his Rhetorick his Book of the World if that be his and his Problems True therefore it is as Apollodorus Dionysius Halicarnassaeus but especially Aristotle himselfe in his Epistle to Philip affirm that he was a constant sedulous hearer of Plato twenty years unto the thirty seventh of his age even untill Plato died and then was so great an honourer of his memory that in testimony of his extraordinary affection he erected an Altar to him bearing this inscription This Altar Aristotle's hand did raise To Plato whom the impious must not praise Olympiodorus speaking of the honour which Aristotle gave to his Master confirmeth it by this argument that he writ a whole oration in commendation of Plato wherein he first made a relation of his life then praised him He adds that Aristotle in his Elegies to Eudemus extolls him thus And coming to the fam'd Cecropian Town In signe of friendship did an Altar raise To him whom impious persons must not praise Who straying man to vertue did restore Much by his precept by example more One to the Gods so pious good to men No future age must think to see again Some affirm that whilst he lived with Plato he profess'd Medicine and kept a shop but those Aristocles confutes CHAP. IV. How he lived with Hermias P Lato dying in the first year of the 108th Olympiad and Speusippus his Nephew succeeding in the School Aristotle went to Hermias the Eunuch King of Atarna a City of Mysia in Asia who heretofore had been his fellow Disciple under Plato and had a particular kindness for him Hermias received him with great testimonies of love and respect With him he lived three years instructing him in Philosophy at the end whereof Hermias was as Strabo saith surprised by Memnon a Rhodian and sent to Artaxerxes King of Persia who put him to death Pythaiâ— his sister a woman of extraordinary vertue whom Hermias having no children had design'd his heir being upon this accident reduced to great extremities and afflictions Aristotle in a pious gratitude to the memory of his friend as his own Letter to Antipater attesteth took her to wife and set up the statue of Hermias in the Temple at Delphi with this Inscription This man the Persian King against all right A sacrifice to his fierce anger made Not like a foe by martiall armes in fight But as a friend by show of love bâ—tray'd He wrote likewise a Hymne to Vertue in memory of his Friend to this effect Vertue whom we all obtain With much labour
By Perianders order See men slain By cruell men by fishes kind preserv'd CHAP. V. Of his Wife HIs wife was named Lysis by him called Melissa daughter to Procleus Tyrant of Epidaurus and Eristhenea the daughter of Aristacrates by the sister of Aristomedes which persons ruled over the greatest part of Arcadia He fell in love with her seeing her in a Peloponnessian dresse in her petticote without a gown giving drink to her fathers workmen Long after he kil'd her in his fury big with child with a stool or a blow of his foot being wrought upon by the accusations of his concubines whom he afterward burned He sent one day to Threspotos upon the River Acheron to enquire by Necromancy concerning a depositum Melissa appearing said she would not tell them in what place it was laid because she was cold and naked the clothes wherein she was buried doing her no good for they were not burned confirming the truth whereof by Perianders puting bread into a cold oven which answer carried to Periander made good the suspition that through excesse of love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hereupon he caused proclamation to be made that all the Corinthian women should come to Iuno's Temple to celebrate a festivall attyred in their richest ornaments when they came having placed a guard of souldiers in ambush he striped them all without any distinction free women and servants of their clothes which he carried to Melissas grave and having praid burn'd them to her This done he sent messengers to enquire the second time to whom Melissa's Ghost appeared and told them where the depositum was laid CHAP. VI. Of his Children HEe had by Melissa two sons Cypsalus and Lycophron the younger ingenious the elder a foole he had likewise a daughter his elder sonne at the time of his mothers death was eighteen yeares old the younger seventeen These their Grandfather by the mothers side Procleus Tyrant of Epidaurus sent for over to him and loved them much as in reason he ought being the children of his owne daughter when he was to send them back he said to them doe you know children who slew your mother the elder tooke no heede to that speech but Lycophron the younger was so troubled at it that when he came to Corinth he neither spoke to his father nor would make him any answer looking upon him as the murderer of his mother where â—at Periander at length became so incensed that he turned him out of doores He being gone Periander questioned the Elder what discourse his Grandfather had with him hee related to him how kindly he used him but told nothing of that which Procleus had said to tâ—em at their departure for he had not taken any notice of it Periander said it was not possible but that hee should say something more and pressed him more strictly at last he calling it to mind told him this also which Periander resenting and not willing to use his son more mildly sent to the people with whom he lived in his ejection forbidding them to receive him into any of their houses Turned out of that wherin he was he sought to goe into another but was denied Periander having threatned those that should entertaine him and commanded all to drive him away expelled thence he went to another of his acquaintance who knowing him the sonne of Periander entertained him though with feare at length Periander proclaimed that whosoever received him into their house or spoke to him should pay what fine to Apollo he should impose from that time none durst venture to entertaine him or speake to him nor would he himselfe make tryall of a thing which he knew to be desperate but passed his time in the common walkes Foure dayes after Periander seeing him poore and extenuated with fasting tooke compassion of him and laying aside his anger drew nigh to him and said Son which is better to undergoe what you now suffer or by obeying your father to enjoy my wealth and kingdome you being my son and next heire to the Kingdome of fruitful Corinth have made choice of the life of a Vagabond angerly opposing him whom you ought not to oppose if any unhappinesse befell in those things whereof you suspect me it befell me and I have so much the greater share therein in being the instrument thereof heare how much better it is to be envied then to bee pittied and what it is to be angry with our parents or betters In these words Periander reproved his son who made him no other answer then That he ought to pay a fine to the God for speaking to him Periander perceiving the evill of his sonne to be incurable removed him out of his fight and sending him by ship to Corcyra of which he was also Tyrant having thus disposed of him he made war with his father in Law Procleus as the chiefe cause of all that happened Laertius mentions an Epistle which he sent him to this effect Periander to Procleus Wee committed unwillingly that crime upon your Daughter but you if willingly you alienate my Sons minde from me you doe unjustly therefore either soâ—ten his minde towards me or I shall revenge this injury I have satisfied your daughter by burning in her honour the garments of all the women of Corinth In fine he tooke Epidaurus and Proclus therein whom he preserved alive In processe of time Periander growiâ—g old and knowing himselfe to bee no longer fit for the charge of the common-wealth sent to Corcyra to invite Lycophron to the government of the Kingdome conceiving his eldest son uncapeable of that office by reason of his stupidity Lycophron would not vouchsafe so much as to speake to the messenger Periander affectionate to him sent the second time his sons sister his owne daughter hoping he would be sooner perswaded by her shee comming said to him Brother had you rather the Kingdome should fall into the hands of others and our fathers house be dispersed then goe home and have it your selfe returne to your owne house injure your selfe no longer obstinacy is an unhappy inheritance oure not one evill with another many prefer compliance before justice many in pursuit of their mothers right lose their fathers Kingdome a Kingdome is a slippery thing coveted by many our father is old and feeble give not your owne goods to others thus she pleaded to him as her father had instructed her he answered he would nâ—ver come to Corinth whilst his father lived there which as soone as Periander understood he sent a messenger the third time to let him know hee would remove to Corcyra and to command him to come to Corinth to take the government upon him to thiâ— the sonne assented Periander prepared for Corcyra his sonne for Corinth the people of Corcyra informed hereof that Periander might not come into their country kill'd his son in revenge of which fact Periander sent three hundred boyes of the chiefe of the
sat still by him admiring in the soundnesse of his sleep the happy equality of his mind assoon as he waked he told him that he came to bring sad newes if not such to him yet to all his friends that the ship would certainly be at home to morrow at furthest some that came from Sunium affirming they had left it there but that in all likelyhood it would come that day and he should dye the next In good timebe it answered Socrates but I do not beleeve it will come to day for the day following I must dye as they say who have the power in their hands but that I shall not dye to morrow but the day after I guesse by a dream I had this night that a woman very beautifull in a white garment saluted me by my name saying Thou e e three daies are told Rich Pthya shalt behold The same relation according to Laertius he made to Aeschines This occasion Crito took to perswade him to save himselfeâ— which he prest with many arguments That his friends would be accused of covetousnesse as more desirous to spare their wealth then to redeem him that it might be effected with little trouble and expence to them who were provided for it that himselfe was rich enough to do it or if not Simmias Cebes and others would joyne with him that he ought not voluntarily to thrust himselfe into destruction when he might avoid it that he should leave his children in an uncertain mean estate that it would not be construed constancy but want of courage Consider well these reasons saith he or rather for it is now no time to stand considering be perswaded what is to be done must be done this nightâ— or it will be too late Socrates answered that his cheerfull readinesse to relieve him was much to be esteemed if agreeable to justice otherwise the lesse just the more blamable that opinion and censure ought not to be regarded but truth and equity that wrong must not be requiâ—ed with wrong that faith should be kept more strictly with a City then with private persons that he had voluntarily subjected himselfe to the lawes of his Country by living under their government and to violate them at last were great in justice that by breaking Prison he should not only draw his friends into many inconveniences but himselfe also into many dangers only to live and dye in exile that it such a condition he should be nothing more capable to bring up his children well but dying honestly his friends would take the more care of them That whatsoever inconvenience might ensue nothing was to be preferred before justice that it he should escape by treachery the remainder of his life would be never the more happy nor himselfe after death better entertain'd in the next world These things saith he I hear like the Corybantian pipes the sound of these words makes me dease to every thing else therefore whatever you shall say to the contrary will be to no purpose but if you have any other businesse speak Crito answering he had not any else as for this then concludes he speak no more of it let us go the way which God points out to us CHAP. XII THe time and manner of his death The time of Socrates death is formerly touch'd the Marble at Arundell-House saith he died when Laches was Archon aged seventy yeers which according to Plato were compleat for he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Demetrus Phalerius saith he dyed the first year of the nintie fifth Olympiad having lived seventy years Dioclorus Siculus averres it was done in that yeare Baches being Archon Although there be not any thing in the Greek story settled by better authority then the years of Socrates Leo Ailaius with much confidence and little reason controverts the received Chronology of his life and death the occasion is this the fourteenth of the Socratick Epistles publisht by him mentioneth an oration of Polycrates as spoken at the arraignment of Socraes but the Walls of Athens repaired by Conon six years after the death of Socrates being spoken of in that Oration the Epistle is thereby rendred suspicious the truth seems to be this After the death of Socrates it became an ordinary Theme in the Schooles of Rhetorick which was at that time much studied at Athens to speak for and against Socrates Polycraes a Sophister to exercise his wit wrote an invective Lyâ—ias a famous Oratour who died about the 100 Olympiad had written as we have already said an Apologetick which is by the Scholiast of Aristides cited in answer to Polycrates Apologies were in like manner written by Plato Xenophon and long after by Libanius although Isocrates admonished Polycrates of certain errors in his Oration against Socrates yet the Anachronism continued for Chronology was not yet studied in Athens and thence it is that Plato himself is in that respect so much reprehended by Aâ—henaeus Aristides Macrobius and other the writer of the Socraticall Epistle admits â—olycrates as the accuser at the triall and oration as then and there spoken so also doth Hermippus whom Laertius cites to the same effect But Phavorinus a Critick of later times when Chronology was more exact detects the errour by computation of times Allatius will by no means have the criticism of Phavortnus allowed and labours to introduce an uncertainty of the time to the end hee may perswade that Socrates lived beyond the reparation of the walls of Athens the great Engine where with he labours to demolish all that hath been afferted by the antients is the testimony of Suidas who I know not upon what authority saith he lived 80. years his smaller artillery are the groundlesse emendation of Meursius and the mistake of Scalâ—ger before noted the absurd Metachronism of the Chronicum Alexandrinum which makes Socrates die in the 104th Olympiad and in the 90th year of his age the anistoresie of the unknown writer of Aristoles life who supposeth him in the 17th year of his age to have heard Socrates three years and which is most ridiculous the notorious anachronisms of Plato must serve asirrefragable arguments to impugne the truth With these proofes in the sophisticall disguise of a Dialogue hee endeavours to puzzle the unwary reader The manner of his death receive from Plato in the person of Phaedo an Eye-witnesse Every day saith he I went with other friends of his to visit him we met in the Court where he was tried it being near the prison where we entertain'd our selves with discourse till the prison was open'd then went in unto him and spent many times the whole day with him But that day we met sooner then ordinary for the evening before as we came out of the Prison we heard the ship was come from Delos and thereupon we appointed to meet early the next morning at the usuall place where being come the Porter came out to us and told us that that we must stay a while
cannot be had but may be participated Some are sixt which we can neither have nor participate as to be virtuous and just Consultation is threefold From the Past by example as what befell the Lacedaemonians through overmuch confidence From the present as considering the timerousnesse of men weakness of walls scarcity of provision and the like From the Future as that Ambassadours should not be injured upon suspicion least it cast infamy upon all Greece Voice is Animate of living creatures Articulate of men Inarticulate of Beasts Iâ—animate sounds and noise Tings are Divisible compounded as Syllables Symphonies living creatures water Gold Homogeneous consist of similar parts differing from the whole onely in number as water gold and all liquid things Heterogeneous consist of dissimilar parts Indivisible compounded of nothing as a point sound Things are Absolute requiring nothing else to expresse them as a man a horse and other creatures Relatives which imply another thing as greater then others swifter fairer and the like for what is greater relates to somthing lesser and the like These according to Aristotle were Plato's divisions of first things CHAP. IX His three voyages to Sicily PLato made three voyages to Sicily the first to see the fâ—ery â—bullitions of Aetna and to improve the knowledge of States and Philosophy which he got by his other travells This was about the 40th year of his age at what time Dionysius the elder Son of Hermocrates reigned in Syracuse Plutarch saith hee was led thither by providence not fortune and that some good Genius designing a far off the liberty of the people of Syracuse brought him acquainted with Dion then very young who entertained him as his guest He much disliked the luxury of that place feasting nocturnal lucubrations and the like Conversed frequently with Dion discoursed with him of those things which were best in man and with his best arguments exhorted him thereto by which he seemed to lay grounds for the subversion of that Tyranny which afterwards hapned Dion though young was the most ingenious of all Plato's followers and most eager in pursuit of Virtue as appears as well by the testimony of Plato as his own actions Though he had been brought up by the King in an effeminate luxurious kind of life yet as soon as he tasted of Philosophy the guide to Virtue his soul was enflamed with love thereof and from his own â—andour and ingenuity was perswaded that Dionysius would be no lesse affected therewith And therefore desired him when hee was at leasure to admit and hear Plato Hereupon the Tyrant sent for him at that meeting all their discourse was concerning fortitude Plato affirmed none was further from that Virtue then a Tyrant and proceeding to speak of Justice asserted the life of the Just to be happy of the unjust miserable Dionysius was displeased at this discourse as reflecting upon himself and with the standers by for approving it at last much exasperated he asked Plato why he came into Sicily Plato answered to seek a good man it seems replyed Dyonisius you have not yet found him Laertius saith Plato disputed with him concerning Tyranny affirming that is not best which benefits our selves unlesse it be excellent also in Virtue whereat Dyonisius incensed said to him your discourse favours of old age and yours answered Plato of Tyranny Dionysius enraged commanded him to be put to death I will have saith he your head taken off at which words Xenocrates being present answered He that doth it must begin with mine but Dion and Aristomenâ—s wrought with him to revoke that sentence Dion thinking his anger would have proceeded no further sent Plato away at his own request in a Ship which carried Pollis whom Laertius calls Polis Aelian Pôlis a Lacedaemonian Captain who at that time had been sent Embassadour to Dionysius back to Greece Dionsiyus secretly desired Pollis to kill him whilst he was on Shipboard or if not by all means to sell him alledging it would be no injury to Plato for he would be as happy in bondage as at liberty as being a just man Some affirm the occasion of Dionysius his anger was because that when he asked what was the best brasse Plato answered that whereof the Statues of Aristogiton and Harmodius were made Others that it was because he was over-mastered in learning But Tzetzes rejecting these as idle fictions of Philosophers falsifiers affirms the true reason to have been that he perceived he advised Dion to possesse himselfe of the Kingdome Pollis transported him to Aegina there Charmander son of Charmandrites accused him as meriting death by a Law they had made that the first Athenian that should come to that Island should without being suffered to speak for himselfe be put to death Which Law as Phavorinus affirms he himselfe made One that was present saying in sport he is a Philosopher they set him at liberty Some say they brought him to the publick assembly to plead for himselfe where he would not speak a word but underwent all with a great courage Then they altered their intent of putting him to death and agreed to sell him for a slave Plutarch saith that upon a decree of the Aeginetae that all Athenians taken in that Island should be sold for Slaves Pollis sold him there Anniceris a Cyrenaick Philosopher being accidentally present redeemed him for twenty or as others thirty Minae and sent him to Athens to his friends they immediately returned the mony to Anniceris but he refused it saying they were not the only persons concerned in Plato's welfare Some say Dion sent the mony which he would not accept but bought therewith a little Orchard in the Academy Pollis was defeated by Chabrias and afterwards drowned in Elice The report goes that an apparition told him he suffered those things for the Philosophers sake Dionysius understanding what had happened writ to Plato to desire him not to speak ill of him Plato returned answer that he had not so much time vacant from Philosophy as to remember Dionysius To some detractours who upbraided him saying Dionysius hath cast off Plato no saith he but Plato Dionysius Dion continued to live not according to the ordinary luxury of the Sicilians and Italians but in vertue untill Dionysius died for which maligned by those who lived after Tyrannicall institutions Then considering that these documents were not practised by himselfe alone but by some others though few he entertained a hope that Dionysius the younger who succeeded his Father in the Government might become one of those to the extraordinary happinesse of himselfe and the rest of the Sicilians To this end he used many exhortations to invite him to vertue intermixed with some sentences of Plato with whom Dionysius upon this occasion became extreamly desirous to be acquainted To that effect many Letters were sent to Athens to him some from Dionysius others from Pythagoreans in Italy desiring Plato to go to Syracuse who by
who assoon as he had read it was so disaffected to life that he threw himselfe from a high wall into the Sea upon whom thus Callimachus Cleombrotus cries out farewell this light And headlong throwes himselfe int'endlesse night Not that he ought had done deserving death But Plato read and weary grew of breath The Dialogues generally noted as spurious not to say any thing of his Epinomis though some ascribe it to Philippus the Opuntian are these Midon or the Horse-courser Erixias or Erasistratus Alcyon Acephali or the Sisyphi Axiochus Phaeaces Demodochus Chelidon The seventh Epimenides Of these Alcion is ascribed by Phavorinus to Leon. His stile Aristotle saith is betwixt Prose and Verse He useth variety of names that his work may not easily be understood by the unlearned He conceiveth wisdome properly to be of intellectuall things Knowledge of reall Beings conversant about God and the soul separate from the body Properly he calleth Philosophy Wisdome being the appetition of divine Knowledge but commonly he calleth all skill knowledge as an Artificer a wise man He likewise used the same names in divers significations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly signifies Evill he useth for Simple as Euripides in his Lycimnius of Hercules 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The same word Plato sometimes takes for honest sometimes for little He likewise useth 〈◊〉 names to signifie the same thing Idaea he useth both for species and genus Exemplar both principle and cause Sometimes he useth contrary expressions to signifie the same thing Sensible he calleth a being and no being a being as having been produced no being in respect of its continuall mutation Idaea neither moveable nor permanent the same both one and many The like he useth often in other things The method of his discourse is three-fold first to declare what that is which is taught then for what reason it is asserted whether as a principall cause or as a comparison and whether to defend the Tenent or oppugne the contrary Thirdly whether it be rightly said The marks which he usually affixed to his writtings are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes Platonick words and figures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctrines and opinions proper to Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Choice expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Corrections 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Things superfluous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Double signification or use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philosophicall institution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agreement of opinions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Improbation Hitherto Laertius There are two Epistles under Plato's name besides those in his works already mentioned one in Laertius his life of Architas Plato to Architas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THe Commentaries which came from you we received with extraordinary content infinitely admiring the writer who appears to us a person worthy of those antient predecessors for those men are said to be Myraeans of those Trojans which were banished in the time of Laomedon good men as Tradition speaks them Those Commentaries of mine concerning which you write are not yet polished however as they are I have sent them to you in the keeping of them we agree both so as I nâ—ed not give you any directions Farewell Another published by Leo Allatius amongst the Socratick Epistles I had not any of those things to send to Syracuse which Archytas desired to receive by you as soon as possible I will send to you Philosophy hath wrought in me I know not whether good or bad a hatred of conversing with many persons justly I think since they erre in all kind of folly as well in private as publick affairs but if unjustly yet know I can hardly live and breath otherwise For this reason I have fled out of the City as out of a Den of wild Beasts living not far from the Ephestiades and the places thereabouts I now see that Timon hated not men he could not affect Beasts therefore lived â— alone by himself perhaps not without danger Take this as you please my resolution is to live far from the City now and for ever hereafter as long as God shall grant me life In Poesy he writ Dithyrambs An Epick Poem Four Tragedies all which as we said he burned The Atlantick story of which thus Plutarch Solon begun the Atlantick story which he had learnt of the Priests of Sais very proper for the Athenians but gave it over by reason of his old age and the largenesse of the work Plato took the same argument as a wast piece of fertile ground fallen to him by hereditary right He manured it refined it enclosed it with large Walls Porches and Galleries such as never any Fable or Poem had before but because he undertook it late he was prevented by Death The more things written delight the more their not being perfected is For as the Athenian City left the Temple of Jupiter so Plato's Wisdom amongst many exâ—â—llent writings left the Atlantick argument alone imperfect Epigrams of which these are extant in Laertius and the Anthologie Upon one named After The Stars my Star thou view'st Heav'n I would be That I with thousand eyes might gaze on Thee Upon his Death A Phosphor 'mongst the living late wert thou But shin'st among the dead a Hesper now Epitaph on Dion engrav'd on his Tomb at Siracuse Old Hecuba the Trojan Matron's years Were interwoven by the Fates with Tears But thee with blooming hopes my Dion deckt Gods did a Trophy of their pow'r erect Thy honour'd reliques in their Country rest Ah Dion whose love rages in my breast On Alexis Fair is Alexis I no sooner said When every one his eyes that way convey'd My soul as when some dog a bone we show Who snatcheth it lost we not Phaedrus so On Archaeanassa To Archae'nassa on whose furrow'd brow Love sits in triumph I my service vow If her declining Graces shine so bright What flames felt you who saw her noon of light On Agathon My Soul when I kiss'd Agathon did start Up to my lip just ready to depart To Xantippe An Apple I Love's emblem at the throw Thou in exchange thy Virgin-zone bestow If thou refuse my suite yet read in this How short thy years how frail thy Beauty is I cast the apple loving those love thee Xantippe yeeld for soon both old will be On the Eretrians vanquish'd by the Persians We in Eubaea born Eretrians are Buried in Susa from our Country far Venus and the Muses Virgins said Venus to the Muses pay Homage to us or Love shall wound your Hearts The Muses answer'd take these toyes away Our Breasts are proof against his childish darts Fortune exchang'd One finding Gold in change the halter quits Missing his Gold 'tother the halter knits On Sappho He who believes the Muses Nine mistakes For Lesbian Sappho ten their number makes Time Time all things bring to passe a change creates In Names in Formes in Nations and
made no more show then as if he had heard nothing and was altogether such as Melanthius the Painter in his Books of Pictureâ—hath describ'd him for hesaith in his actions was expressed a stubbornnesse and hardnesse Polemo used to say we ought to exercise our selves in things not in Dialectick Disciplines lest satisfying our selves with the tast and meditation of the superficiall parts of Science we become admired for subtlety in discourse but contradict our selves in the practise of our life He was facete and ingenious shunning that which Aristophanes imputes to Euripides sowernesse and harshnesse He taught not sitting but walking The Athenians much honour'd him for his great Integrity hee tooke great delight in Solitude whence for the most part he dwelt in a Garden about which his Disciples built themselves little lodges near to his School He was a studious imitatour of Xeâ—ocrates who Aristippus saith much loved him alwaies remembring his innocence severity and gravity to which like a Dorick measure he conformed his owne steps Antigonus Carystius saith that from the thirtieth year of his age to his death he drunk nothing but water He held that the World is God He much affected Sophocles chiefly in those places where to use the phrase of the Comick Poet a Molossian dog seemeth to have written together with him And whereas Phrynicus saith he was Not sweet nor flat but gently smooth he said that Homer was an Epick Sopâ—ocles Sophocles a Tragick Homer He died very old of a consumption and left behind him many writings Laertius hath this Epigram upon him Wert thou not told that Polemo lies here On whom slow sickness man's worst passion prey'd No 't is the robe of flesh he us'd to wear Which ere to Heav'n he mounted down he laid Of his Disciples are remembred Crates Zeno the Stoick and Arcesilaus CRATES CRATES was a Thriasian Son of Antigenes he was an Auditor of Polemo and loved by him He succeeded him in the government of his School They both profited so much by one another that living they onely follow'd the same institutes but even to their last ends were alike and being dead were buried in the same Sepulchre Upon which occasion Antagoras writ thus upon them both Who ere thou art say ere thou passest by Crates and Polemo here buried lie Both for their mutual love no less admir'd Then for their eloquence by which inspir'd O th' wisdom they profess'd the age was proud Yet gladly to their sacred precepts bow'd Hence Arcesilaus when he went from Theophrastus and apply'd himself to them said they were Gods or certain reliques of the golden age They were nothing popular but what Dionysiodorus an antient Musician was wont to say may be apply'd to these when he boasted that none had ever heard him sing as they had Ismenius nor had ever seen him in a Ship or at the Fountains Antigonus saith that he sojourn'd at Crantors when he Arcesilaus lived most friendly and that Arcesilaus dwelt with Crantor Polemo with Crates together with Lysicâ—es who was one of the Citizens and truly Polemo as is before mention'd loved Crates Crantor Arcesilaus But Crates dying as Apollodorus in the third of his Chronicle left Books which he had written partly of Philosophy partly of Comedy Orations suited for publick pleading or Embassie He had many eminent disciples of whom was Arcesilaus Biâ—n the Boristhenite afterwards called a Theodorean from that Sect. There were ten of this name The First an antient Comick Poet. The Second an Oratour of the Family of Isocrates The Third an Ingeneer that went along with Alexander in his expeditions The Fourth a Cynick The Fift a Peripatetick The Sixt this Academick The Seventh a Grammarian The Eighth writ of Geometry The Ninth an Epigrammatick Poet. The Tenth of Tarsis an Academick Philosopher CRANTOR CRantor was of Soli much admired in his own Country He came to Athens where hee heard Xenocrates and studied with Poleomo He writ Commentaries 3000. Verses whereof some ascribe part to Arcesilaus Being asked how he came to be taken with Polemo but answer'd from the tone of his speechâ— never exalted nor depress'd Falling sick he went to the Temple of Aesculapius and walked there where many resorted to him from severall parts not thinking he stai'd in respect of his sicknesse but that he meant to erect a School in that place amongst the rest came Arcesilaus whom though he lov'd him very much he recommended to Polemo whom he himself after his recovery heard also and was extreamly taken with him He bequeath'd his estate amounting to 12. Talents to Arcesilaus who asking him where he would be buried he answer'd In Earth's kind bosom happy 'tis to lie He is said to have written Poems and to have deposited them sealed up in his own Country in the Temple of Minerva of him thus Theaetetus Pleasing to men but to the Muses more Crantor too soon of life was dispossest Earth his cold body we to thee restore That in thy arms he peacefully may rest Crantor above all admired Homer and Euripides saying it was hard in proper language to speak at once tragically and passionately and quoted this verse out of his Bellerophon Alas yet why alas Through such fate mortals passe Antagoras the Poet alledgeth these verses as written by him My Soul 's in doubt for doubtlesse is his race Whether I love first of all Gods shall place Which drew from Erebus their old descent And Night beyond the Oceans vast extent Or whether to bright Venus or to Earth Thou owest thy double form and sacred birth He was very ingenious in imposing apt names He said of an ill Poet that his verses were full of moths and of Tâ—eophrastus that his Theses were written in a shell He wrote a Treatise concerning Griefe which was generally much admired as Cicero and Laertius attest He died before Polemo and Crates of the dropsy ARCESILAVS CHAP. I. His Country Parents Teachers ARcesilaus whom Cicero calls Arcesilas was a Pitanean of Aeolis his Father according to Apolloâ—orus in the third of his Chronologicks named Seuthus or as others Scythus He was the youngest of foure brethren two by the same Father only the other by the same Mother the eldest was named Pylades of those who had the same Father the eldest was Maereas Guardian to his Brother Arcesilaus He was born by computation from his death which was in the fourth year of the hundred thirty and fourth Olympiad the seventy fift of his age in the first year of the hundred and sixteenth Olympiad He first heard Autolychus the Mathematician his Country-man before he came to Athens with whom he travelled to Sardis Next he heard Xanthus an Athenian a Master of Musick He heard also Hippoâ—icus the Geometrician who excepting his skill in that Art was otherwise a gaping dull fellow for which Arcesilaus deriding him said Geometry flew into his mouth as he gaped Of Hipponicus falling mad he took so great
proceeded only from ignorance yet that so great that Patricius argues from thence neither Ammonius not Philoponus to be the Authors of his life so are there some other errours which no lesse manifestly appear to have proceeded from malice raised it is likely by the Authors of the other scandalls and imputations wherewith they sought to blast his memory Some affirm that Alexander upon the treason of Callisthenes took a great displeasure against Aristotle for having recommended him to him For though at first writing to Criterus Attalus and Alcetas immediately upon this accident he sent them word that the youths had confessed the plot proceeded only from themselves not by the instigation of any other Yet afterwards in an Epistle to Antipater he imputes the same crime to Callisthenes not without this sharp reflection upon Aristotle The youths saith he were stoned to death by the Macedonians but as for the Sophist I will punish him my selfe and those who sent him and those who entertain in their Cities such as are Traitors to me Hereupon they interpret the bounty of Alexander to Xenocrates and favour to Anaximenes as not proceeding from the magnificence of his disposition but from the displeasure he had conceived against Aristotle whom he endeavoured to vex by obliging his adversaries and aemulators Upon this supposed displeasure was grounded another report that Aristotle conspiring with Cassander against Alexander sent him by Antipater some of the water of Styx wherewith he poisoned Alexander But the Relators hereof differ not a little amongst themselves Diodorus Siculus and Suidas affirme that Alexander was poisoned by Cassander son of Antipater Arianus by Iolla his younger son Porphyrius saith that nothing but the horn of an Asse such as the Asses of Scythia had would contain the poyson Iustine and Pausanias the hoofe of a Horse Pliny and Arrian of a Mule Plutarch and Zonaras of an Asse They differ no lesse about the place whence the water was fetch'd Neither indeed can it be expected there should be a better harmony amongst the Relators of this Fable when there is so great dissention and variety of relations concerning the occasion and manner of his death But the most creditable is that of Ephippus cited by Athenaeus Orosius Iustine and others who averr that Alexander died of a Feaver caused by excesse of drinking CHAP. IX Vpon what occasion he left Athens and went to Chalcis TWelve years Aristoâ—le professed Philosophy in the Lyceum not molested by any for though his eminence in Learning procured him many Aemulators and enemies yet the favour he had with Alexander whilst he lived awed them so much that they durst not make any discovery of the ill will they bore him No sooner was Alexander dead according to Diâ—nysius Halicarnassaeus but some of them conspired against his life To which end Eurymedon a Priest or according to Phaâ—orinus Demophilus accused him of impiety that he introduced some Philosophicall assertions contrary to the Religion of the Athenians that he celebrated Hermias as a God with a hymne and had caused his statue to be set up in the Delphian Temple with an honourable inscription Some affirm hereupon he made an Oration in defence of himselfe at the Court of Areopaâ—us wherein he openly pronounced this verse made out of two in Homer Peares upon pears and figs on figs grow here By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 figs on figs reflecting upon the multitude of Sycopâ—aâ—ts which sprung up every day in the City Hence Phavorâ—nus saith he was the first Philosopher that pleaded for himselfe and there was an Oration to that purpose went about many years after under his name But of the truth hereof Athenaeus maketh question Others affirm that Aristotle perceiving the conspiracy that was against his life stole privately out of Athens and went to Chalcis where he spent the rest of his daies returning to his friends who demanded the reason of his going this answer We left Athens that we might not give the Athenians occasion to commit again the same wickednesse they committed against Socrates that they miâ—ht not be guilty of a double crime against Philosophy To Antipater he wrote the fore-mentioned verse Pears upon pears and figs on figs grow here Giving him to understand how dangerous it was for him to live in Athens since the Athenians were wholly addicted to Sycophantisme and calumny This departure of Aristotle from Athens Dionysius Halicarnâ—ssaeus placeth in the second year of the hundred and fourteenth Olympiad Apollodorus a yeer latter perhaps lesse rightly Being neer sixtie two yeers of age very sickly and without hope of living much longer the whole company of his followers came to him and besought him to make choice of a Successor whom after his death they might look upon as the perfecter of those studies whereinto he had brought them There were at that time many excellent Scholars in his School but especially two Theophrastus and Menedemus or rather as Patricius reads Eudemus These excelled the rest in Wit and Learning The first was of Lesbos Eudemus of Rhodes Aristotle answered them he would do as they requested when he saw it convenient Soon after the same persons being present who had made this request to him he complained the wine which he then drank did not agree with his health but was unwholsome and harsh and therefore desired they would send for other sorts both Râ—odian and Lesbian saying he would make use of that which he should finde best for him They go seek finde bring Aristotle first calls for the Rhodian tasts it a strong wine saith he and pleasant then calls for the Lesbian which having tasted both saith he are good but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lesbian is the sweeter whereby every one understood that his choice was not of the wine but of his successour which was Theophrastus of Lesbos a man of extraordinary sweetnesse in discourse and conversation Whence not long after assoon as Aristotle was dead all his Disciples applyed themselves to Theophrastus CHAP. X. His Apophthegms OF his Apophthegmes are remembered these Being demanded what a man got by lying he answered not to be believed when he spoke truth Being reproved for giving mony to a wicked man I saith he gave it compassionating not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the condition but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as Stobaeus not to the man but to humanity He used this saying frequently amongst his disciples and friends the eye recâ—ives light from the air the soul â—rom learning Inveighing against the Athenians he said They had invented two things Corn and Law but made use only of one the Corn. He said The root of learning is bitter the fruit sweet Being demanded what growes old soonest he answered a Benefit Being demanded what is Hope he answered a waking Dream Diogenes the Cynick offered him a fig Aristotle 〈◊〉 that Diogenes had prepared some sharp saying in case he should
Philosophy of Spâ—usipppus and Xenocrates 1. In all 19. The Sum of all these Books excepting the Epistles is 513. Laertius reckons them to be near 400. perhaps accounting the severall Books that are upon the same subject for one But of these the greatest part is lost and of many that are extant the Titles altered of the extant there are only these LOGICK CAtegories 1. Of Interpretation 1. First Analyticks 2. Second Analyticks 2. Topicks 8. Elenchs 1. PHYSICK OF natural Auscultation 8. Of Heaven 4. Of Generation and Corruption 2. Of Meteors 4. Of the World 1. Suspected Of the Soul 3 Of Sense and Sensibles 1. Of memory and Reminiscence 1. Of sleep and waking 1. Of Dream 1. Divination by dreams 1. Of the motion of living Creatures 1. Of the length and shortnesse of life 1. Of youth and age life and death 1. Of Respiration 1. Of the going of Animals 1. Of Breath 1. Of the generation of Animals 5. Of the parts of Animals 4. The Historie of Animals 10. Of Colours 1 Of Physiognomy 1. Spâ—rious 2 ETHICK EThick to Nicomachus 10. Great Ethick 2. Ethick to Eudemus 7. Of vertues 1. Oeconomick 2. Poliâ—ick 8. METAPHYSICK MEtaphysick 14. Of the abstruse part of Divine Wisdom according to the Aeâ—yptians translated out of Arabick but suspected to be spurious 14. MATHEMATICKS MAthematick 2. Mechanick 1. Of insecable lines 1. PHILOLOGICK RHetorick 3. Rhetorick to Alexander 1. Poetick 1. EXTRAORDINARY PRoblems 38. Wonders 1. Of Zenophanes Zeno and Gorgias 1. Besides these there are many other Books â—ited for his under these Titles Magick Laert. Prooem Epitome of Oratours Laert. Arisâ—p Of Beanes Laert. Pythag. Of Mixtion Aristot. de sensu cap. 3. Of Sapors Arist. de sensu cap. 4. Physical History Arist. de incess Animal cap. 2. Of Nutriment Arist. de Somno cap. 3. Selection of Contraries Arist. Metaph. lib. 3. cap. 2. Division of Contraries Arist. Metaph. lib. 10. cap. 3. Of Opposites Simplic in cap. de Opposit Comm. 8. Collection of Pythagorick Opinions Simplic in lib. 2. de Coelo Com. 4. Of Idea's Alexand. in lib. 1. Metaphyâ— Comm. 59. where he cites the fourth Book though Laertius but one as if there were no more Of Enunciation Alexand. in lib. 4. Metaphys Com. 25. 44. Of Affirmation Alexand. in lib. 4. Mâ—â—aphys Com. 62. Of Platonick assertions Plut. contra Coloâ— Eudemas Plut. Consol. ad Apollon Of Drunkennesse Plut. Symposiac 3. Athenaeus cites the tenth book hereof Animal or of Fishes Athen. Deâ—pâ— 7. Of living Creatures and of things pertaining to living Creaâ—â—res Atâ—en Of the manners of living Creatures Athen. Of Pheasants Athen. Of Consanguinity Athen. Of wonderful luxury Athen. Apologie Athen. Histories Athen. Barbarous Iurisdictions Of Audibles Porphyr Comm. in Ptol. Mâ—â—s Proclus in Timaeum Plat. The Cohabitant Pâ—oclus Proaem in Repub. Platon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macrob. Saturnal lib. 1. Of Nature Clem. Alexandrin Strom. lib. 6. We shall not add the Peplâ—s cited by Nicephorus and the Chriae by Stobaeus under his name since it is manifest they belong not to the same Aristotle as 〈◊〉 hath evinced These Books Aristotle gave to Theophrastus when he made him his successor in the School as Strabâ— affirmeth adding that Aristotle was the first we know of that made a Library which the Aegyptian Kings learned of him to do Theophrastus bequeathed all his books to Nelius a Scepsian who carried them to Sâ—epsis and dying left them to his heirs men of no Learning who only kept them confusedly locked up And when they understood what care was taken by the Aâ—â—alick Kings in whose jurisdiction Scepsis was to make a Library in Pergamus they 〈◊〉 them in a hole under ground where they continued about 130 years by which means they received some injury by the wet and worms At last some that were descended from Aristoâ—lâ— and Theophrastus sold them to Apellico a Teâ—an who according to Athenaeus was made free of the City of Athens a person very rich who besides many other Libraries bought this of Aristotle being himselfe a lover of Peripatetick Philosophy for a great summe of mony This Apellico was more a lover of Books then of Learning so that because they had received some injury he caused them to be transcribed supplying the defects not rightly and by that means put them forth full of faults The antient Peripateticks that succeeded Theophrastus wanting Books as having but very few and those Exoterick could not treat exactly upon any part of Philosophy They that lived latter after that these books were published had much greater helps to Philosophy and the imitation of Aristotle although by reason of the infinite faults they were forced to say many things by guesse Hereunto Rome conduced not a little for soon after the death of Apellico Sylla taking Athens in the fourth year of the 173 Olympiad seised upon his Library and causing it to be carried to Rome Tyrannio a Grammarian a person studious of Aristotle obâ—ained leave of the Library-Keeper to be permitted the use of them the Book-sellers not having good writers and not comparing well the Copies it occasion'd many faults as well in those Books that were at Rome as in those transcribed and sold into Alexandria Plutarch adds that from this Tyrannio Andronicus the Rhodian had them who first made them publick setting forth those volumes which saith he we have Thus Strabo and Plutarch Athenaeus saith that Nelius sold them to Ptolemaeus Phâ—ladelphius by whom they were translated to Alexandria where how long they lay hid is uncertain which Library was afterwards burn'd by Iulius Cesar. CHAP. XVII His Commentatours NO sooner were the writings of Aristotle communicated to the world but they were entertained with generall approbation which some expressed by employing themselves in Commenting upon them whose example was â—ollowed by many in all following ages To omit Pasicrates the Rhodian brother of Eudemus who wrote as Galen affirmeth upon the book of Categories we shall name in the first place Andronicus the Rhodian who first published Aristotles writings put fâ—rth a Paraphrase or Comment upon the greatest part of them Next his Disciple Boethus a Sidonian took much pains in the exposition of Aristotle whence he is often mentioned honourably by Ammoniusâ—nd â—nd Simplicius Aristo a Coan Disciple also to Andronicus as Strabo affirms living in the time of Nicias Tyrant of Coos is reckoned by Simplicius amongst the old Commentatours upon Aristotles Categories Nicolaus Damascenus who lived in the time of Augustus by whom much loved is cited by Simplicius and Averroes as an Expositor of Aristotle Aâ—henodorus of Tarsis a Stoick who lived also under Augustus as Plutarch affirms is cited by Simplicius as having written upon Aristotle's Categories but rather by way of confutation then interpretation as did likewise Alexander Aegeus Nero's Tutor mention'd Simplicius Cornutus who lived at the same time cited by Porphyrius and Simplicius Lucius and Nicostratus a Macedoman who lived under Antonius Sotion of Alexandria and Achacius seem
sent him a dish full of bones with this message It was meat for doggs he answer'd Yea but not sit for a King to send He said it was the same fault to give to them that deserved nothing as not to give to them that do He said As houses where there is plenty of meat are full of mice so the bodies of such as eat much are full of diseases At a Feast one giving him a great cup full of wine he threw it away for which being blamed If I had drunk it saith he not only the wine would have been lost but I also Being demanded what was hardest he answer'd To know our selves for we construe most things according to our own partiality He said Medea was a wise woman not a Witch who by labour and exercise corroborated the bodies of effeminate persons whence arose the fable that she could renew age To one that profest himselfe a Philosopher but argued litigiously he said Why do you spoile the best part of Philosophy yet would be thought a Philosopher Questioning one of those young men that followed him he was silent whereupon Diogenes Do you not think saith he it bebelongs to the same man to know when to speak and when to hold his peace Being demanded how a man should live under the authority of superiours as we do by fire saith he not too near lest it burn not too far off lest we freez Seeing some women talking privately together Behold saith he the Asp borrowes poyson from the Viper Being demanded what was the heaviest burthen the earth bears he answered an ignorant man An Astrologer in the Forum discoursing to the people and shewing them in a tablet the erratick Starrs No saith Diogenes it is not the Starres that erre but these pointing to the people Being demanded what men are the most noble They saith he who contemn wealth glory and pleasure and over-master the contraries to these poverty ignominy pain death Seeing the servants of Anaximenes carrying many goods he demanded to whom they belong'd they answer'd to Anaximenes Is he not ashamed reply'd Diogenes to have so much houshold stuffe and yet not be master of himselfe He said Vertue dwelleth neither in a rich City nor a private House He said Poverty is a selfe-taught help to Philosophy for what Philosophy endeavours to perswade by words poverty enforceth in practise To a wicked man reproaching him for his poverty I never knew saith he any man punished for poverty but many for wickednesse He called Poverty a selfe-instructing vertue To one that reproached him with poverty What mean you saith he poverty never made a Tyrant riches many Alexander seeing him asleep in his Tubb said O Tubb full of wisdome The Philosopher rising up answer'd Great King One drop of Fortune's better far Then Tubbs repleat with wisdom are To whom a stander by reply'd One drop of Wisdom Fortune's Seas excells In unwise soules misfortune ever dwells Seeing an old woman painted if this he for the living you are deceived saith he if for the dead make hast to them To one bewailing his own misfortune as that he should not die in his own Country be of comfort saith he the way to the next World is alike in every place Having a great pain in his shoulder which troubled him much one said to him in derision why dost thou not die Diogenes and free thy self from this misery he answer'd it is sit they should live who know how to order their life for you who know not what to do or say it is a convenient time to die He used to say Aristotle dineth when Philip pleaseth but Diogenes when it pleaseth Diogenes At Coriâ—th seeing Dionysius the younger who was deposed from the Kingdom of Sicily This is a life saith he you deserve not you merit rather not to live here freely and without fear but at home in perpetuall imprisonment To some who commended Plato he said what hath hee done worthy commendation having professed Philosophy so long yet never moved any to grief To one demanding how he might take the greatest revenge upon his Enemy he answered by being good and vertuous your self In commending his Master Antisthenes he would say of him of rich he made me poor and instead of a fair house made me live in a Tubb CHAP. VI. His Writings OF the Writings ascribed to him are these Dialogues Ichthyas The Geay The Leopard The Athenian people Policy Ethick art Of Riches Erotick Theodorus Hypsias Aristarchus Of Death Epistles Tragedies 7. Helena Thyestes Hercules Achilles Medea Chrysippus OEdipus Sosicrates and Satyrus affirm that none of these were written by Diogenes the Tragedies Satyrus ascribes to Philischus of Aegina Sotion affirmeth these only to have been written by Diogenes Of Vertue Of Good Erotick The poor The Tolerant The Leopard Cassander Cephalio Philiscus Aristarchus Sisiphus Ganymede Chria's Epistles CHAP. VII His Death HE died as Demetrius saith at Corinth about 90. years old the same day that Alexander died at Babylon which according to Aelian was the seventh of Thargelion in the first year of 114 tâ— Olympiad The manner of his death is variously related Eubulus saith he lived to his end with Xeniades and was buried by his Sons As he lay sick Xeniades asked him how he would be buried he answer'd with his face downwards Xeniades demanding the reason because saith he all things will be turned upside-down alluding saith Laertius to the greatnesse of the Macedonians who not long before were a poor inconsiderable people Some report that being near death he gave order that his body should be left unburied that the wild Beasts might partake of him or be thrown into a ditch and a little dust be cast over it or thrown upon a dung-hill that he might benefit his Brethren Aelian saith that being sick to death he threw himself down from a bridge which was near the Gymnasium and ordered the Keeper of the Palaestra to take his body and throw it into the River Ilissus Others affirm he died of a surfet of raw flesh others that he stopp'd his own breath others that cutting a Cuttle-fish in pieces to throw it to dogs it bit asunder a Nerve in his foot whereof he died Others affirm he died as he was going to the Olympick Games being taken with a Feaver he lay down by the way and would not suffer his friends to carry him but sitting under the shade of the next tree spoke thus to them This night I shall be a Victor or vanquished if I overcome the Feaver I will come to the Games if not I must go to the other World and drive it away by death Antisthenes saith his Friends were of opinion he stopp'd his own breath for coming as they constantly used to visit him in the Cranaeum where he lived they found him covered they did
honour is the reward of vertue the wicked wanting this are justly dishonourable A wise man only is ingenuous and noble according to some of the Stoicks but others deny it referring these not to nature but institution only according to the proverb Custome is a second Nature So that ingenuity is an habit of nature or institution apt to vertue Nobility is a habit of descent or institution apt to vertue A wise man is pleasing pâ—rswasive opportune and sincere for he is expert in every thing affable in conversation and helpfull to the publick The wicked are the contrary A wise man is the best Physician for he hath considered his constitution and those things which are requisite for his health A wise man may lawfully part with his life the wicked cannot because in their life they never acquire vertue nor eschew vice But life and death are limited by offices and their contraries A wise man will accept of Empire and â—ohabit with Princes but not unlesse he porceive it may be done without danger and to much advantage A wise man never lyeth for he who speaketh a falshood is not properly said to lie unlesse it be with intent to deceive A lie may be used many waies without assent as in War against enemies or in the like necessity A wise man neither deceiveth nor is deceived for he never sinneth he useth not his sight hearing or any other sense ill He is not suspicious nor repenteth for both these are proper to fallacious assent He can no way be chang'd or erre or opinionate A wise man only though not all wise men is happy in Children in old age in death A wise man doth nothing contrary to his appetite for all such things are done with a privation and nothing adverse unforeseen happeneth to him But in the primitive time there was some wise man that did not desire or will any thing because that those things which were then present were not sufficient to be required by him A wise man is meek for meeknesse is a habit whereby things are done meekly not breaking forth into Anger A wise man is peacefull and modest Modesty is the Science of decent motion tranquillity the order of natural motions The contrary to these are seen in the wicked A wise man is free from all Calumny he calumniates none and is not calumniated by any for Calumny is a lying imputation of fained friends to which the wise are not liable for they are true friends the wicked are for they are feigned A wise man delayeth 〈◊〉 bing for delay is an omission of Office through slothfulnesse of which Hesiod Nothing deferre a year a month a day He fights aginst himself that doth delay A wise man can only incite and be incited to Vertue a fool cannot for he neglecteth praecepts and goeth no further then the words not proceeding to Action A wicked man is not desirous to hear or learn as not being capable by reason of his imprudence of what is rightly said whence it followeth that he can neither be incited nor incite to Vertue He that is capable to be incited or to incite must be prepared by Philosophy which is not competible to a wicked man for he who diligently heareth Philosopher is not prepared to Philosophy but â—e who expresseth their doctrine in their life and actions This no wicked man can do for he is prepossess'd by Vice If he should be incited Vice would pull him baâ—k but none that is vicious incited to Vertue as none sick to health Every wicked man is an exile wanting Law and Country for both these are good That a City or Country is good Cleantâ—es proveth thus If there be a habitation where those who fly for succour find justice it is good but a City is such a habitation therefore a City is good A City is taken three waies for a habitation for a convention of men and for both In the two latter significations it is called good Every wicked man is râ—stick for rusticity is ignorance of Laws and civill manners A wicked man refuseth to live according to Law and is hurtfull as a savage Beast A wicked man is tyrannical cruell violent and inâ—urious whensoever he gets an occasion A wicked man is ungratefull not obliging nor requiting for he doth nothing by Friendship A wicked man is not perseverant for perseverance is the Science of obtaining our purpose not being deterred by labour A wicked man is not capable of the right of donation Donation is the good bestowing of estimation but nothing that is good is competible to the wicked Eâ—ery wicked man is delighted with his wickednesse which wee may perceive not so much by his discourse as actions which showes that he is carried on to wickednesse THE THIRD PART CHAP. I. PHYSICK and the parts thereof PHYSICK is divided into these places Of Bodies Of Principles Of Elements Of Gods of Place Of Vacuum thus especially but generally into three places Of the world Of Elements Aitiologick of Causes That concerning the VVorld is divided into two parts whereof one Contemplation is common also to the Mathematicks concerning fixed stars and Planets as whether the Sun be of the same magnitude as he appears to be and whether the Moon be so likewise of their periods and the like The other contemplation proper only to Physick to enquire into the essence of these whether the Sun and Stars consist of matter and form whether generate or ingenerate whether animate or inanimate whether corruptible or incorruptible whether govern'd by Providence or the like The place concerning Causes is likewise twofold whereof one Contemplation is common also to medicinall disquisitions whereby they enquire concerning the principall part of the soul and those things which are produced in the Soul seed and the like The other is likewise usurped by the Mathematicks as in what manner we see what is the cause of the visuall phaâ—tasie How are made Clouds Thunder Rainbows Halo's Comets and the like CHAP. II. Of Bodies NAturall Philosophy brancheth into two parts of Corporealls and Incorporealls A body is that which doeth or sufficeth It is the sense with essence or substance and finite whatsoever is is a body for whatsoever is either doeth or suffereth Principles are Bodies void of form Elements are bodies endued with form Causes are corporâ—all because they are spirits Qualities are Corporâ—all for they are spirits and aeriall intentions which affect the parts of all things generated with form and figure Vertues Vices Arts Mâ—mory â—haâ—tasies Affections Appetitions Assents are bodies existing in the Supream part of the Soul The Soul is a Body because it maketh us to be living Creatures Night and day are bodies Voice is a body for it maketâ—â— that which is heard in a word whatsoever is is a body and a subject
have been in the sixty second Olympiad and then Thales eldest of the Greek Sages who was about the fiftieth Olympiad as if this were not rather an argument to prove these Prophets contemporary with Thales which Eusebius allows About the time saith he of Cyrus King of Persia the seven wise men flourished this was the time in which the last of the Hebrew Prophets prophesied since Troy above six hundred years after Moses no lesse then fifteen hundred years But if with Clemens Alexandrinus we account these Prophets coaetaneous with Darius Hystasâ—es they will appear much younger then Thales for Darius begun his reigne in the last yeare of the sixty fourth Olympiad CHAP. III. His Travells HE employ'd the first and greatest part of his time to Creet to inform himself of the Mysteries of their Religion for that Island was famous for the birth of Iupiter as is acknowledg'd by himself in an Epistle to Pherecydes That he travell'd also into Asia is affirmed in the same Epistle some say into Phoenicia arguing from his Astrology which he is thought to have learned of the Phoenicians Masters of that Science and particularly because he is said to have first observed the constellation of the Lesser Bear by which the Phoenicians sayled Vossius essaies to prove the word Cynosura to be Phoenician not as deriv'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being a Collection of light or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Umbilicus igneus His last journey being in years was into Aegypt to conferre as he acknowledgeth in his Epistle to Pherecydes with Priests and Astronomers There he was instructed by the Priests at Memphis particularly saith Iamblicus by those of Iupiter Laertius affirms he learnt Geometry of them * Plutarch implies as much of his Philosophy He was there in the reign of Amasis by whom much favour'd and admir'd for many things especially for measuring the height of the Pyramids by the shadow untill at last accused to him of dis-affection to Monarchs and that kind of Government to which effect many bitter sayings of his were alledged concerning Tyrants As when Molpagoras an eminent person of Ionia demanded what was the strangest sight he ever saw he answered a Tyrant old Another time being at a feast where a question arose what beasts were most dangerous of wild saith he a Tyrant of tame a Flatterer and Princes saith Plutarch however they professe themselves far different from Tyrants yet take no pleasure in such Apothegmes hereupon he lost the favour of Amasis Thus having studied Philosophy in Aegypt he returned to Miletus and transported that vast stock of Learning which he had there collected into his own Country CHAP. IV. How he lived at Miletus His life at Miletus as Heraclides affirmes was retir'd and private some report hee married and had a Son named Cybissus but the truer opinion is of those who say he lived unmarried and made his Sister's Son whom Plutarch calls Cybisthus his Heir Hee put off his Mother when she first moved him to marry by telling her it was not yet time and when hee was more in years being again sollicited by her hee answered nor is it now time meaning it was then too late Being demanded why he took not some course to have issue he answer'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the same in pronouncing with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and may be taken either because he loved children or diâ— not love them as Casaubon conjectures but perhaps his meaning may better bee gather'd out of another answer of his to the same question that he did not mean to draw voluntary cares upon his life and disturb the quiet thereof or from this story related by Plutarch Solon coming to Miletus to visit him told him that he wondred hee wholly neglected marriage and issue Thales at that time answered nothing but some few daies after suborned a stranger to pretend that he came within ten daies from Athens Solon demanded what newes from thence nothing answered the other as he was instructed but the buriall of a young man attended by the whole City being as was said Son of the most eminent person of the City who at the same time was abroad in travell Unhappy man cries Solon what was his name I heard it answered the other but have forgot onely I remember he was very famous for Wisdom and Iustice. Solon's fear encreasing upon every answer he at last asked him if the Fathers name were not Solon which the other affirming he beat his own head and did other actions accompanied with speeches proper to such as are transported with grief whereupon Thales similing and interrupting him These things Solon said he deterr'd me from marriage which thus disorder even thee a most constant person but be not troubl'd at this newes it is counterfeit In this privacy of life he was follicited and sent unto by many Princes whose invitations and amities Plutarch saith he refused visited by many eminent persons He is said to have cohabited some time with Thrasibulus a man of excellent wit and judgement who was King or according to the Greek word Tyrant of Miletus though his reign continued but eleven months about the time that the Milesians enter'd into a League with Alyates the second then King of Lydia CHAP. V. The attribute of wise conferred on him THE attribute of Wise as Plutarch and Saint Augustine observe was conferr'd upon the rest in respect of their morall rules and practise but upon Thales particularly for his speculative Learning It was first bestow'd on Thales at what time Damasias was Archon under whom according to Demetrius Phalareus all the seven were called wise The second Damasias was Archon in the third year of the 49th Olympiad which Salmasius knew not when to make the words of Laertius agree with the first Damasias he misinterpreted Eusebius and Clemens Alexandrinus and subverted all other accounts of the birth and death of Thales whereas this fortunately complies with the times of all the seven The first was Thales justly preferr'd before the rest in respect of his great Learning which he owed not to any master The time when this honour was conferred on him falls upon the fifty ninth year of his age The second Pittacus of Mitylene who flourished in the forty second Olympiad and died in the third year of the fifty second The third Bias of Priene contemporary with Pittacus living under Alyattes and Croesus The fourth Solon who was Archon at Athens the third year of the forty sixt Olympiad He died Olymp. 55. The fift Cleobulus of Lindus coetanoeus with Solon The sixt Myson of Chene The seventh Chilon of Lacedaemon who was Ephorus Olymp 56. The credit and glory of these seven was much encreased saith Plutarch by a Tripod sent round from one to another by a mutual noble
deserve the titles of wise-men if we who said to Creet to informe our selves of matters there and into Aegypt to conser with Priests and Astronomers should not likewise make a journey to you Solon also if you think fit will come You who affect home seldome passe into Ionia nor care to enioy the society of strangers we who write nothing spend our time in travelling through Greece and Asia Thales to Solon IF you leave Athens you may in my opinion settle your selfe with those you take along with you at Miletus for here is nothing to trouble you If you dislike that we Milesians are governed by a â—yrant for you are averse to all Monarchs even elective yet may you please your selfe in the society and conversation of me your friend Bias likewise hath sent to invite you to Priene if to abide at Priene please you better we will also come and dwell there with you CHAP. XII His Auditors and Schollers THe first eminent person of those who heard Thales and profess'd his Philosophy was Anaximander sonne of â—raxides a Milesian who flourish'd in the time of Polycrates Tyrant of Samos Next is Anaximenes a Milesian also sonne of Euristratus who according to Eusebius flourished in the second yeare of the 56 th Olympiad He was Scholler to Anaximander and Parmenides But that he heard Thales also he acknowledgeth in an Epistle to Pythagoras We may as in that Epistle Anaximenes doth amongst the disciples of Thales reckon Pythagoras the Samian institutor of the Italick Sect who being from his youth particularly addicted to investigation of Religious mysteries addrest his first journey to Thales at Miletus as to one that best could further his designe being according to Iamblichus not fully 18. yeares old which if we follow the accompt of Euseb. us for his birth the fourth yeare of the seventieth Olympiad and that of Sosicrates for his age eighty yeares for the rest the farther they exceed that time are so much the more incapable of reconcilement will fall about the second yeare of the fifty fourth Olympiad which is the 82. of Thales From Thales he received the Rudiments of that Excellence which he afterwards attained This is acknowledged by Iamblichus Thales saith he entertaind him very kindly admiring the difference between him and other youths which exceeded the fame hee had receiv'd of him After that he had instructed him as well as he was able in the Mathematicks alledging for excuse his old age and infirmity be advis'd him to goe to Aegypt and to converse with the Memphian Priests especially those of Iupiter of whom he himselfe had in his Travells learned those things for which by many he was esteem'd wises and again among other things Thales chiefely advis'd him to husband his time well in respect whereof he aâ—tain'd from wine and flesh onely eating such things as are light of digestion by which meanes he procured shortnesse of sleepe wakefulnesse purity of minde and constant health of body CHAP. XIII of his Death THales having now liv'd to a great age being full of honour and wisedome died in the first yeare of the fifty eight Olympiad when according to Pausanias Erxyclides was Archon as he was beholding the Olympick games opprest with heate thirst and the burden of his yeares which amounted to ninty two Laertius under-reckons him to have lived but eighty seven yeares having before acknowledged his birth to have beene in the first of the 35. Olympiad Petavius over-reckons who makes him live to the end of the 58. which could not be because he died spectator of the Olympick Games Lucian and Sincellus more who say he lived 100 yeares Sosicrates comes nearest to the truth who allowes him to have lived 90. yeares and to have died in the 58. Olympiad for from the first of the 58. is 23. entyre Olympiads The manner of his death gave Laertius occasion to favour him with this Epigram Vewing th' Olympick games Elean Jove Thou didst wise Thales from that his race remove Nigher thy selfe and 't was well done now old He could not well from Earth the Starrs behold He was buried according to his owne appointment in a poore obscure part of the Milesian field where he presag'd that in future times their Forum should be upon his Tomb this distich Narrow the Tomb the fame then heaven more wide Of wisest Thales whom this earth doth hide There was also a statue erected in honour of him bearing this subscription Milesian Thales this doth represent Who all in wise Astrology outwent There were five more of this name mentioned by Demetrius the Magnesiâ—a an orator of Calatis an affected imitator A Painter of Sicyonia of a great spirit The third very antient contemporary with Hesiod Homer and Lycurgus The fourth mentioned by Duris the fift of later times by Dionysius in Criticis Laertius names Pherecydes as a detractour from Thales the Philosopher SOLON CHAP. I. Solon his Parents Country and Condition PHilocles cited by Didymus affirmes that Solon's father was named Euphorion but by the unanimous consent of all other writers he was called Execestides a person though of small fortune and account among the Citizens yet of the most noble family in Athens descended from Codrus Solon deriving himselfe from Neleus son of Codrus and from Neptune His Mother neer of kin to the Mother of Pisistratus his Parents had another Son named Dropides Archon the year after Solon from him was Plato descended Solon was born according to Laâ—rtius at Salamis for which reason he desired at his death that his body might be carried thither but from his Parents and the place of his residence he was sirnamed Athenian His father by munificence and liberality brought his estate so low as to want even necessaries Solon ashamed to receive from any being of a house which used to maintain others betook himselfe to Merchandise others say he travelled rather to improve his knowledge and experience for he was a professed lover of wisdome and even to his last used to say I grow old learning riches he esteemed not much but to grow rich like him who abounds In heaps of gold as in rank corn his grounds In Mules and Horses whilst his numerous wealth Made pleasing by uninterrupted health If to compleat these joyes he be possest Of wife and children he is truly blest And elsewhere Riches I wish not riches that are plac'd In unjust means for vengeance comes at last SOLON Many unjust grow rich and pious poor We would not change our virtue for their store For constant virtue is a solid base Riches from man to man uncertain pass Aristotle ranks Solon amongst the inferior sort of Citizens whiâ—h saith he is manifest from his Elegies meaning perhaps some of these which Plutarch cites Lucian saith he was extreamly poor Palaeologus that he neither had nor valued wealth CHAP. II. How by his means the Athenians took Salamis
for this reason he ascribed the honour thereof unto Solon naming the Citie which before was called Aepea from him Soli. This foundation he mentions in his Elegies addressing his speech to Philocyprus Maist thou in Cyprus long as King abide And ore this people and this Town preside In a fleet vessell from this haven may Cythera crownd with violets me convey Her kind aspect and happinesse may she Grant to this Town a safe return to me He visited Thales also at Miletus whose imposture towards him related already in Plutarchs words receive from Tzetzes Solon's friend Thales lead a single life By Solon often mov'd to take a wife These a Milesian Thales so contriv'd Meeting pretends from Athens late ariv'd Solon asks curiously what newes was there One that 's abroad saith he hath lost his heir The Cittie waited on his obsequies was it not Solon 's son Solon replies To this the stranger as suborn'd assents He with torn hair in cries his passion vents whom Thales tenderly embracing leave This grief saith he I did thee but deceive ' â—is for these reasons Marriage I decline which can deject so great a soule as thine Whether it belong to this deceit or to a real loss Dioscorides and Stobaeus report that weeping for the death of his Son one told him but this helps nothing he answered and therefore I weep At Delphi he met with the rest of the wise men and the year following at Corinth by Perianders invitation which was as Plutarch implies long before Pisistratus came to raign nor doth Dion Chrysostom intend the contrary though so interpreted by a learned person his words importing only this Solon fled not the Tyranny of Periander though he did that of Pisistratus That he went also to Creet perhaps to visit Epimenides is evident from an Epistle of Thales CHAP. IX The attribute of wise conferred on him his morall Sentences WHen Damasius the second was Archon in the yeare of the 49. Olympaid all the seven received the attribute of wise of these was Solon upon whom Themistius saith it was conferr'd as an honorable title full of dignity Plutarch avers that all of them except Thales were so called from their skill in civill affaires And againe In Philosophy Solon chiefly affected as did likewise most of the wise men that part of morality which concerns politicks and speaking of Muâ—sipâ—â—ilus he was not saith he an orator of those Philosophers who are called naturall but embraced that wisedome which teacheth government of a State and prudence in publique actions which he retained as a Sect delivered by succession from Solon Whence Macrobius instanceth Solon as skilfull in that kind of learning which draweth Philosophy deeper and establisheth a state Hereto may bee added his morall learning for which though Socrates reduced it first to a Science and was there upon honored as the inventor thereof the seven were so famous that some affirme the title of wise was given them only for excelling others in a laudable course of life and comprehending some morall rules in short sentences of these they had three sorts Apothegmes Precepts and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of his Apothegmes Laertiuâ— recites these Speech is the Image of Action He is a King who hath power Lawes are like cob-webs which entangle the lesser sort the greater breake through Those who are in favour with Princes resemble counters used in casting accompts which sometimes stand for a great number sometimes for a lesser so those are sometimes honored sometimes cast downe Being demanded how men might be brought to doe no wrong if saith he they who have received none and those who are wronged be alike concern'd Satiety comes of riches contumely of Satiety Plutarch and others these He conceived that City to be best govern'd where the people as eagerly prosecute wrongs done to others as to themselves Being demanded how a City might be best ordered he answered if the Citizens obey'd the Magistrates the Magistrates the lawes hee affirmed that King and Tyrant should become most glorious who would convert his Monarchy to Democracy He esteemed that Family best wherein wealth is gotten not unjustly kept not unfaithfully expended not with repentance Hee defined the happie those who are competently furnished with outward things act honestly and live temperately which definition Aristotle approves He said a commonwealth consists of two things reward and punishment Seeing one of his friends much grieved he carried him to the Tower and desired him to view all the buildings below which observing the other to have done now saith he think with your selfe how many sorrowes have heretofore and doâ— at present dwell under those roofes and shall in future ages and forbeare to be troubled at the inconveniencies of mortality as they were only yours He said also that if all men should bring their misfortunes together in one place every one would carry his owne home againe rather then take an equall share out of the common stock Being in drinking demanded by Periander whether hee were silent through want of discourse or through folly answered no fool can be silent amidst his cups He said that City was best ordered wherein the good were rewarded the bad punished He said a man ought to fear nothing but that his end exclude not Philosophy Demosthenes recites a discourse which he used to the Judges in accusing one who had moved a pernicious law to this effect It is a Law generally received in all Citties that he who makes false mony should be put to death Then he demanded of the Judges whether that Law seemed to them just and commendable whereunto they assenting he added that he conceived mony to be used amongst Citizens in respect of private contracts but that lawes were the mony of the common-wealth therefore Judges ought to punish those who embased the mony of the coÌ„mon-wealth much more severely then those who embase that of private persons and that they might better understand it to be a farre greater offence to corrupt lawes then adulterate coyne he added that many Citties use mony of silver allaid with brasse or lead without any prejudice to themselves but whosoever should use lawes so adulterated could not escape ruine and death Mimnermus writing thus From trouble and diseases free At threescore years let death take me He reproved him saying By my advice that wish extend Nor for his counsell sleight thy friend Alter thy song and let it be At fourescore years let death take me His morall precepts are thus delivered by * Demetrius Phalereus some whereof are cited by Laertius Nothing too much Sit not as judge if thou dost the condemned will esteem thee an enemy Fly pleasure for it brings forth sorrow Observe honesty in thy conversation more strictly then an oath Seal words with silence silence with opportunity Lie not but speak the truth Consider on serious things
so in men no one is perfect what one hath the other wants he who hath constantly most and at last quietly departs this life in opinion O King deserves to bear that name In every thing we must have regard to the end whether it tends for many to whom God dispenceth all good fortunes he at last utterly subverts This story is related by Plutarch also mentioned by Laertius who addes that Croesus being magnificently adorned and seated on his Throne asked him whether he had ever seen any thing more glorious who answered Câ—â—ks Pheasants Peacocks who are much more beautiful in their naturall power Solon after this discourse with Croesus not soothing him or making any esteem of him was dismissed and accounted unwise for neglecting the present good in regard to the future Aesope the writter of fables was at that time at Sardis sent for thither by Croesus with whom he was much in favour he was grieved to see Solon so unthankfully dismist and said to him Solon we must either tell Kings nothing at all or what may please them No saith Solon either nothing at all or what is best for them Thus was Solon much despised by Croesus Afterwards Croesus being taken prisoner by Cyrus was at his command fettered and set upon a great pile of wood to be burned as he was in this posture it came into his minde what Solon had divinely said to him that no living man is happy as soone as he remembred those words he fell into a great defection of Spirit and sighing deeply named Solon thrice which Cyrus hearing commanded the interpreters to aske upon whom he called they went to him and asked he was silent at last pressing him further he answered upon him who I desire above all wealth might have spoken with all tyrants not understaning after much pressure and importunity he told them Solon an Athenian came long since to him and beholdiâ—g all his wealth valued it at nothing moreover that all which he told him had come to passe nor did it more belong to him then to all mankind especially to those who think themselves happy Whilst Croesus said this the fire began to kindle and the outward parts thereof to be seized by the flame Cyrus being informed by an interpreter of all that Croesus said began to relent knowing himselfe to be but a man who delivered another man nothing inferiour to him in wealth to be burned alive fearing to be punished for that act and considering that nothing was certain in human affairs he commanded the fire to be instantly quenched and Croesus and those that were with him to be brought off whomâ— ever after as long as he lived he had in esteem Thus Solon gained praise that of two Kings his speech preserved one and instructed the other Plutarch relates this done in the former ten years travail of Solon upon the finishing of his lawes whence he maketh an Apology for the incongruity thereof with the rules of Chronology which had lesse needed if with Laertius he had placed it after Pisistratus his usurpation of the tyranny Laertius saith he went from hence to Cilicia and built there a Gitty called after him Soleis whither he brought also some few Athenians whose language growing corrupt by that of the country they were said to solaecise of this is the Etymologist doubtlesse to be understood who derives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so read we not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is also attested by Suidas as a distinct relation from that of Cyprus in confirmation whereof Laertius addâ—s the Cilicians were called Solenses the Cyprians Solii CHAP. XII His death HEraclides affirmes Solon lived long after Pisistratus began to raign Lucian that his life extended to a hundred years with whom those best agree who say as Suidas relates he lived in the fiftie six Olympiad but according to Phanias Pisistratus took the Tyranny upon him when Comias was Archon and Solon died Hegestratus being Archon who sâ—cceeded Comias which was in the first year of the fiftie â—ift Olympiad If this latter opinion had not every where taken place of the other the disagreement betwixt the time of Solon's death and Croesus raign had not been urged by many as an argument against the story of their meeting He dyed according to Laertius aged eighty years being as Elian saith very decrepit in Cyprus as is like wise attested by Valerius Maximus and Suidas â— and left order with his friends that they should carry his bones to Salamis there causing them to be burnt sâ—atter the ashes all over the country which story Plutarch though he counts it fabulous acknowledgeth to be attested by many Authors of credit particularly Aristotle Laertius confirms it by the testimony of Craâ—inus who makes him speak thus The Island I inhabit sown As fame reports in Ajax Town That desire of knowledge which he usually profest continued with him to his end confirmed the last day of his life his friends sitting about him and falling into some discourse he raised his weary head and being demanded why he did so he answered that when I have learnt that whatsoever it be whereon you dispute I may die His brothers son singing an ode of Sappho he delighted therewith bad him teach him it and being demanded why that said he I may learn whilst I 〈◊〉 out of this life After his death the Athenians erected his statute in brasse before the checker'd cloister'd in the forum Another was set up at Salamis hiding as Demosthenes and Eschines describe it the hand within the garment in the same habit wherein he used to make speeches to the Athenians perhaps the same that carried this inscription â—am'd Salamis the Persian pride cast down And gave to Solon birth the lawes renown Laertius bestowes this Epigram upon him A sorraign Cyprian fire burn'd Solon yet Salamis keeps his bones their ashes wheat His Soul to heaven mounts with his lawes so light A burthen they not clog but help his flight CHAP. XIII His writinngly 〈◊〉 HIs excellency both in Rhetoratie â—nd Poetry is attested by many Cicero before Solo◠〈◊〉 no man is recorded for eloquence And again Lycurgus and Solon we place in the number of the eloquent Dion Chrysostome Aristides Lycurgus Solon Epaminondas and if there be any other in the same kind ought to be esteemed Philosophers in the common-wealth or Oratours according to ingenious true Rhetorick Aristides Solon is said to have sung those things which concern the Megarenses but neither his Lawes nor Orations which sometimes he made for the rich to the commons sometimes for the commons to the rich did he sing or comprise in verse but used a rhetoricall form excellently demonstrating in all these that he deserved to be esteemed an Oratour and a Wise-man having attained both those titles and faculties As to Poetry Pluâ—â—rch averres he addicted himselfe thereto from the beginning not
richer fortune and the equall took Be you as he by this wise counsell lead And take an equall to your Mariage bed Whither Aeschylus as is observ'd by his Scholiast alluded saying Wise truly wife was he Who first sententiouslie His judgement thus exprest An equall match is best His Moral precepts are thus collected by Demetrius Phalereus Know opportunity What thou intendest speake not before thou dost it for being frustrate of thy hope thou will be derided Use thy friends What thou tak'st ill in thy neighbour doe not thy selfe Reproach not the unhappie for the hand of God is on them Restore what is committed to thy trust Beare with thy neighbour I ove thy neighbour Reproach not thy friend though he recede from thee a little nor wish well to thy enemy it is against reason It is hard to foresee the future what is past is certaine what is to come obscure The earth is faithfull the sea faithlesse Gaine insatiable Acquire honesty Seeke Obsequiousnesse Love Discipline Temperance Prudence Truth Faith Experience Dexterity Society Diligence Oeconomy and Piety Ausonius cites these as his None know to speak who know not to refraine One goodmans praise 'fore many ill mens gaine He 's mad who envies in the happy pride Or grief in the unhappie doth deride Who makes a law must not that law transgresse Puâ—chase all friends thou caust in happinesse And to the fewest trust in thy distresse Of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these were most celebrious Who hath a quiver and a bow Against a wicked man should go Whose doubtfull tongue never exprest The faithlesse meaning of his breast His particular sentence was Know opportunity CHAP. III. His Death Brother Wife Son Writings HE lived to a full age above seventy yeares or following the accompt of Suidas for his birth eighty Lucian exceeds who reckons him amongst those who lived 100. yeares for he dyed when Aristomenes was Archon in the third yeare of the 52. Olympiad upon his Monument this Epitaph Weepe citizens as sacred Lesbos weeps For Pittacus this Tombe his ashes keeps He had a brother who dying without issue his estate devolved to Pittacus whereupon refusing the wealth Croesus offerd him he said he had more by halfe then he desired He married a wife of birth higher then himself sister to Draco son of Penthilus she behaved her self imperiously towards him whereof Plutarch gives this instance Having invited some friends she came in and overthrew the table he seeing his guests troubled said Each of you hath some misfortune he is happiest who hath no more then this Laertius saith the advice he gave concerning equall marriage chap. 2. was out of a resentment of his own troubles He had a son named Tyrrheus who at Cuma sitting in a Barbers shop as was used amongst the antients by such as loved to discourse of newes was casually killed by a brasier with a blow of a hatchet The Cumeans tooke the offendor and sent him to Pittacus He being informed of the accident set him at liberty saying pardon is better then penitence Of his writings Laertius mentions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 already cited Elegies amounting to 600 verses Of lawes in prose directed to his own Countrymen Epistles of which this is preserved Pittacus to Croesus You command me to come to Lydia to behold your wealth without sight whereof I can easily beleeve the son of Alyattes to be the richest of Kings and therefore need not in that respect go to Sardis for I want not gold but have enough even for my friends also yet I will come to you to enjoy your conversation as a Guest There was another Pittacus called the Lesser a Lawgiver mentioned by Phavorinus and Demetrius BIAS BIAS CHAP. I. Bias his life BIAS was of Priene sone of Tutamis some affirm he was rich others that he had no estate but lived as an inmate Saâ—yrusâ—anketh â—anketh him first of the seven wise-men the occasion whereby that title was conferred on him was this he redeemed some captive Messenian virgins brought them up as his daughters gave them portions and so sent them back to their Parents a Tripod being afterwards found at Athens as was related in the life of â—hales the place only different with this inscription in gold To the wise These virgins as Satyrus affirmes or as Phanodicus their father came into the congregation and pronounced Bias wise declaring what he had done for them hereupon the Tripod was sent to him which Bias beholding averred Apollo to be the most wise and would not accept it some affirm he dedicated it to Hercules at Thebes as being descended from the Theban Colony sent to Priene That he made good this attribute there are many instances Alyattes besieging Priene Bias turned out of the Town two exceeding fat mules which coming to the camp Croesus wondered to see their plenty extended to the very beasts and desirous of reconcilement sent a messenger to them Bias causing many heaps of sand to be made and covered over with wheat shewed them to the messenger whereof Alyattes informed was more eager of peace then before and sent immediately to desire Bias to come to him but I answered he wish Allyattes may feed on onyons meaning to weep Some ascribe it to Bias the diversion of Croesus his expedition against the Greek Islands by others imputed to Pittacus related in his life Cyrus having taken Croesus sent an Army against the Grecians the Ionians much troubled assembled at the Panionium where Bias gave them wise advice which had they followed saith Herodotus they might have been the happiest of all the Greeks He counselled them to joyne together in one fleet to saile to Sardinia and there build one City common to all the Ionians whereby they might preserve themselves from bondage happy in possessing an Island far greater then all the rest and commanding them but if they continued in Ionia there was no apparent hope of liberty This advice was justified the Ionians being subdued Bias his country Priene invaded by enemies all whom the cruelty of war suffered to escape flying away laden with the most precious of their wealth being demanded why he carried none of his goods with him I saith he carry my goods with me He bore them addes Valerius Maximus in his breast not to be seen by the eye but prised by the soul enclosed in the narrow dwelling of the mind not to be demolished by mortall hands present with those who are setled and not forsaking such as flie He refused not the amity of Kings as Thales did particularly that of Amasis King of Aegypt who sent him a victim commanding him to take from it the best and worst part Bias sent him the tongue for which ingenuity he was much admired Another question of Amasis he resolved whilst he was at Corinth invited thither with the rest of the wise-men by Periander where Niloxenus
brought him this letter Amasis King of Aegypt saith thus to Bias wisest of the Greeks the King of Aethiopia contendeth with me for preheminence in wisdome master'd in other things he in conclusion requires an absurd strange thing that I drink up the sea this proposition if I resolue I shall have many of his Townes and Citties if I resolve not I must lose all those which are about Elephantina Ponder it and send Niloxenus back with all speed what euer we can do for your friends and Country shall not be wanting Having read the Letter Bias with a short pause recollecting himselfe and having whispered to Cleobubâ—s who sat next him What saith he Naucratites Amasis who commands so many men and possesseth so excellent a Country will he for a few obscure contemptible villages drink up the sea Bias saith Niloxenus smiling consider as if he meant to do it how it might be effected Bid the Aethiopian replyed Bias withold the rivers from running into the sea untill he hath drunk off that which is now sea for the imposition concernes that only which is such at present not what shall be hereafter Niloxenus embraced him with joy the rest applauding his solution CHAP. II. His morall sentence precepts and verses HIs Apothegmes are thus delivered by Laertius and others He is unfortunate who cannot bear misfortune It is a disease of the mind to desire such things as cannot be obtained and to be unmindfull of the miseries of others To one that asked what is hard he answered to bear couragiously a change to the worse Being at sea in company with wicked who a storm arising called upon the Gods hold your peace saith he lest they know you are here To a wicked man enquiring what was piety he was silent the other asking the reason of his silence I answer not saith he because you enquire after that which nothing concernes you Being demanded what is sweet to mankind he answered Hope It is better to decide a difference betwixt our enemies then friends for one of the friends will certainly become an enemie one of the enemies a friend Being asked what a man did with delight he answered gain by labour We should so live as though our life would be both long and short So love as if hereafter we might hate conversing in friendship with caution remembring that it may possibly convert to enmity To one demanding whether he should take a wife she must be saith he either fair or foul if fair she will be common if foule a pennance That Tyrant shall gain most glory who first himselfe obeyes the lawes of his country That common-wealth is best ordered wherein every man fears the Law more then a Tyrant That family is best ordered where the Master behaves himselfe voluntarily within dores as he doth without by constraint of the Law Those who busie themselves in vain knowledge resemble an Owle which seeth only in the night but is blind in the light so is their mind sharp-sighted in vanity dark at the approach of true light Ausonius hath these under his name What is our chiefest good a conscience free Our greatest ill mans mans worst enemie Poor th'avaricious Rich who nought desires A wifes best dower the fame chast life acquires Chast she of whom report dare speak no ill Wise who hath power to hurt but wants the will A fool who wants the power and yet would kill His morall precepts according to Demetrius Phalereus these Most men are evill His particular sentence Before you do any thing behold your face in a glasse if it seem handsome do handsome things if deformed suply the defects of nature Practise honesty Undertake deliberately but having once begun go through Abhor to speak hastily Laert. It is madnesse lest thou sin for repentance followes Be neither simple nor subtle Admit not imprudence Love prudence Every where professe there are Gods Weigh what is to be done Hear much Speak seasonably If poor reprove not the rich unless great advantage may arise thereby Praise not an unworthy person for his wealth Acquire by perswasion not by violence When thou dost good impute it not to thy selfe but to the Gods In thy youth gain wealth in thy age wisdome or as Laertius from thy youth to thy age gain wisdome for it will be more sure to thee then all other possessions Preserve in thy actions remembrance in opportunity caution in thy manners ingenuity in labour patience in fear warinesse in wealth love in discourse perswasion in silence a decorum in sentence justice in boldnesse fortitude in action power in glory eminence in thy nature generosity Of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these were most esteemed To all the City where thou liv'st be kind They who most favour show most favour find But pride is often with destruction joyn'd And Strength is a gift which natures hand bestowes Rhetorick and policy the wise soule knowes Riches a present that from fortune flowes CHAP. III. His death and writings HE was much addicted to pleading very earnest therein but alwaies employed in just causes which Demodicus the Alerian implies saying If thou chance to be a Iudge giue sentence on the Prienaean side and Hipponax to plead a cause better then Bias the Prienaean And in that manner he died being very old as he was pleading having ended his speech he reposed his head in the bosom of his sisters son his adversary having ended his defence the Judges gave sentence on Bias his side the Court dismist he was found dead in his Nephews bosome the City bestowed a magnificent monument upon him with this inscription Bias of Prienaean fam'd descent Lies here Ionia's greatest ornament They also dedicated a Temple to him called the Tutamian Laertius bestowes upon him this Epigram Bias lies hidden here whom Hermes lead To th' grave when age had snow'd upon his head His head which pleading for his friend enclind Upon his Nephew to long sleep resign'd He writ concerning Ionia by what means it might be most happy perhaps that counsell already mentioned two thousand verses CLEOBVLE CLEOBVLVS CHAP. I. Cleobulus his life death and writings CLEOBULUS was of Lindus a City of Rhodes or according to Duris of Caria son of Evagâ—ras lineally descended from Hercules excellent both in wisdome outward beauty and strength beyond all those of his time learned in the Philosophy of the Egyptians That he was Tyrant of Lindus is manifest from Plutarch * He re-edified the Temple of Minerva founded by Danaus He had a daughter whom he named Eumetis but was called commonly from her father Cleobulina she composed verses and riddles in Hexameters famous for her wisdome and acutenesse in those riddles some of her questions having spread as far as Egypt which she used jocularly like dice upon occasions only contesting with such as provoked her she was also indued with an admirable height of mind and a wit both Politick and full of humanity
causing her father to govern his people with more mildnesse Cratinus also mentions her in a Comedy named from her Cleobulae often cited by Athenaeus He died full of years which extended to seventy his tomb carried this inscription Wise Cleobulus death the Lindian shore To which his birth was owing doth deplore He composed Verses and Riddles to the number of three thousand of which was this Riddle concerning the Year by Suidas ascribed to his daughter Cleobulina One fire twelve sons from every one a race Of thirty daughters with a double face Their looks are black and white successively Immortall they are all and yet all die Some assert him the Author of this Epigram upon Midas not Homer who as they account lived long before Midas though Herodotus otherwise A brazen virgin stretcht on Mida's tomb To last whilst water runs and Trees shall bloom Whilst Sun and Moon dart their successive beams And the rough sea supplied by gentle streams I dwell upon this dismal sepulcher To tell all those that passe Midas lies here There is likewise extant under his name this Epistle Cleobulus to Solon YOu have many friends and a habitation every where but I dare affirme Lindus would be most pleasing to Solon being governed by a Democracy an Island where there is no fear of Pisistratus thither your friends will come to you from all parts CHAP. II. His morall sentences precepts and verses OF his morall saying are these Employ thy selfe in something excellent Be not vain and ungratefull Bestow your daughters Virgins in years Matrons in discretion implying that the Virgins also should be instructed which the Greeks used not the Romans brought them up in the liberall sciences Do good to your friend that he may be more your friend your enemy that he may become your friend for we should beware of the calumny of friends of the treachery of nemies When any man goeth forth let him consider what he is to do when he returnes examine what he hath done A Prince may be happy if he trust none that are about him That common-wealth is best ordered wherein the Citizens fear reproach more then Law That family is best wherein more loue then fear the Master His precepts thus collected by Demetrius Phalereus A mean is best His particular sentence To reuerence thy father is dutie 〈◊〉 care of thy bodie and soul. Hear willingly but trust not hastily oâ— as Laertius 't is better to love to hear then to love to speak 〈…〉 better to know many things Laertius to love knowledge then 〈◊〉 be ignorant of all Teach your tongue to speak well It is proper to 〈◊〉 and contrary to vice to hate injustice Laertius be a friend to vertue a stranger to vice Preserve thy pietie Advise thy country 〈◊〉 what is best Govern thy tongue Laertius pleasure Do nothing by violence Instruct thy children Pray to fortune Forgoe enmitie The Enemy to thy conntry esteem thy own Fight not nor be kind 〈◊〉 wife in the presence of others one argues folly the other madnesse Corect not your servants when they are drunk it showes as if you were drunk your selfe Marry with your equall for by matching into a higher family you procure Masters not kinsmen Laugh not in compliance with him who derides others for you will be hated by those he derides Rich be not exalted poor be not dejected Laertius addes learn to bear the changes of fortune Ausonius ascribes these to him The more is in thy power desire the lesse Not to be envi'dis unhappinesse None long in his impieties can thrive In other much nought in thy selfe forgive All men would spare the good the bad cast down We share not in our ancestors renown But their inglorious actions often own Of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these were most noted By ignorence most deeds are swaid In many specious words arraid But all things shall by time be weigh'd PERIANDER PERIANDER CHAP. I. The Country Ancestors and Parents of Periander PEriander was sonne of Cypselus Tyrant of Corinh his mother Cratea his Ancestors the Heraclidae descended from Hercules and Iardana raigned Kings of Lydia five hundred five yeares the son continually succeeding the father for two and twenty generations The originall of Cypselus and the manner of his obtaining the Kingdome receive thus from Herodotus When Corinth was governed by an Oligarchy inhabited by the Bacchiadae who never would marry out of their own family one of them called Amphion had a lame daughter by name Labda whom when none of the Bacchiadae would take to wife Eetion married son of Echeâ—rates of the Betraean tribe but desended afar off from Lapithe and Caenis having no children he consulted the Delphian Oracle about it as soone as he entred the Prophetesse spake thus to him Eetion none will thee though great respect A stone from Labdas fruitfull wombe expect Which shall the people crush Corinth correct This Oracle to Eetion agreed with another deliver'd to the Bacchiadae though by them not understood to this effect A Lyon by an Eagle shall be laid Upon a rock fierce making all afraid Corinthians what I say consider well Who in tall Corinth and Pirâ—ne dwell The Bacchiadae who could not comprehend the meaning of this Oracle when they heard that to Eetion understood their owne by the affinity it had with the other and thereupon secretly design'd amongst themselves to kill Eetions child His wife being delivered they sent ten men of their owne to the tribe wherein Eetion dwelt that they should murder the Infant when thy came to Petra to Eetions house they demanded the child Labda not knowing their intent but thinking they came to congratulate with the Father brings her sonne and gives him into the hands of one of them they had agreed upon the way that he into whose hands the child were delivered should dash out its braines against the ground but by divine providence the child smiling upon him to whom Labda had given it he was moved therewith to such compassion that he could not finde in his heart to kill it but delivered it to another he to a third untill at last it past through the hands of all the ten None of them having power to kill it they restored it to the mother Then going forth and standing before the doore they began to finde fault with one another but chiefly with him who tooke the child first for not performing the agreement after some debate they agreed to goe in all and bee equall sharers in the murther but it was decreed that Eetions child should bee the oppressour of Corinth for Labda standing at the doore heard all their discourse and fearing lest their mindes changing they should murther it carried away the child and hid it in a measure of corne called Cypsela a place which she conceived they could never search if they returned and so it fell out They came back and sought all about
when they could not finde him they agreed amongst themselves to tell those who sent them they had done what they required and returning home did so Eetions son growing up was called Cypselus from the danger he had escaped in the corne-measure when he came to mans estate he consulted with the Delphian Oracle and received a doubtfull answer in confidence whereof he attempted Corinth and tooke it the Oracle was this Happy is Cypselus who to my fane This visit makes he Corinth's crowne shall gain He and his Sons but not their sons shall raign Being possest of the Kingdome he persecuted the Corinthians depriving many of their estates more by far of their lives having reigned thirty yeares he dyed and was succeeded by his Son Periander whose reigne compleated this Tyranny which lasted according to* Aristotle 73. yeares and sixe moneths So that Cypselus began to reigne in the second yeare of the thirtieth Olympiad CHAP. II. The time of his birth his raign and the change of his disposition PEriander by computation from his death which according to Laertius was in the eightieth year of his age the last of the fortie eight Olympiad was born in the last year of the twenty ninth Olympiad His raign according to Aristotles account lasting fortie foure years begun in the fourth year of the thirty seventh Olympiad Suidas saith he succeeded in the Kingdome as being his fathers eldest son which Plutarch calls a disease hereditary to him flourished in the thirtie eight Olympiad He was at first of a mild gentle disposition but afterwards grew very rigid upon this occasion His mother whilst he was very young kept him much in her company when he grew more in years fell in love with him with time her passion encreased to such extremity that she could no longer suppresse it assuming confidence she told her son there was a beautifull Lady fallen in love with him and advised him not to slight her affection He answer'd he would not transgresse law and vertue by touching a married woman His mother pressed him with intreaties at last he consented she appointed a night advising him not to have any light in his chamber nor to constrain the Lady to speak but to excuse her for modestie's sake Periander engaged himself to do all she directed She attired as richly as she could went to his chamber and departed again before day-break on the morrow she enquired if he were pleased and if the Lady should come again to him Periander said it was his chiefest desire and that he affected her excessively From that time she visited her son often he at last was moved with a great curiosity to know who she was and solicited his mother very importunately that he might have some discourse and acquaintance with her seeing he was so much taken with love of her affirming it was unreasonable he should be denyed the sight of one with whom he had so often a neerer acquaintance His mother affirm'd it could not be done in respect to the modesty of the Lady Hereupon he gave one of his servants order to hide a light in his chamber she came as she used and when she was asleep Periander rose took the light and seeing it was his mother was about to have killed her but with-held by some genius or apparition forebore From that time forward he was troubled in mind grew cruell and killed many of his subjects His mother much accusing her unhappy genius slew her selfe Laertius saith they were both conscious hereof and that being discovered he grew cruell to euery one In the beginning of his raign he was much more mercifull then his father but keeping correspondence by messengers with Thrasibulus Tyrant of Miletus to whom in times past he had been a guest before he arived to the government he became at last much more bloody then his father He sent an expresse to Thrasibulus to know what course he should take to settle himselfe and to govern the Citty in the best manner Thrasibulus led the messenger out of town and as they walked together in a corn field question'd him concerning his comming from Corinth and in the mean time lopped off all the heads of corn that grew higher then the rest and threw them away in this manner he went over the whole field not speaking one word to the messenger and so sent him home where being returned Periander greedily enquired what instructions he had brought he answered Thrasibulus had given him none and that he wondered he would send him to a mad-man who destroyed his own goods Periander enquired what Thrasibulus did and immediately apprehended that he advised him to put the most eminent in the City to death Laertius recites a Letter to that effect which if not suppositions must have been sent at another time after this messenger departed Thrasibulus to Periander I Gave your messenger no answer but carying him into a field of Corn lopped off with my stick such ears as grew higher then the rest whilst he followed me if you enquire he will relate all to you that he hath heard or seen Do you so likewise if you mean to settle your selfe in the government take off the heads of the chiefest Citizens whether your professed enemies or others A Tyrant must suspect every friend Though Plutarch deny he followed this advice Herodotus averres that from thence forward Periander exercised all cruelty upon his subjects dispatching those that had escaped the rigour and persecutions of his father He first appointed a guard of Halberdiers to secure his person which consisted of three hundred and converted the government to a Tyrannie through his cruelty and violence He forbad the Citizens to keep any servants or to be idle alwaies finding some employment for them If any man sat in the Forum he was fined for he feared lest they should plot against him The Citizens being desirous to live 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he would not suffer them He was alwaies in war being of a martiall disposition He made ships with three banks of Oares which he used in both seas He attempted to dig the Isthmus off from the continent Of his friendship and correspondence with Thrasibulus Herodotus gives another instance affirming he sent to inform him of the Oracles answer to Alyattes King of Lydia concerning the re-edifying of the Temple of Minerva and advised him to provide before-hand for his own security He made a vow if he were victor in the chariot-race at the Olympick games to erect a statue of gold He chanced to be victorious and wanting gold beholding upon a festivall of that country the women richly adorned he took off all their ornaments and so sent them home CHAP. III. Of his being placed in the number of the seven Sages His sentences and writings PEriander saith Plutarch being become a Tyrant by a hereditary disease derived to him by his father endeavoured to purge himselfe
Corcyraeans to Sardis to Allyates King of Lydia there to be guelt the Corinthians who had charge of them were driven upon Samos the Samians understanding to what end they were sent to Sardis advised them to take Sanctuary in the Temple of Diana and would not suffer them as being suppliants to bee pulled away The Corinthians not permitting any food to be given them the Samians celebrated a festivall which is observed saith Herodotus at this day when night was come the company of youths and maides danced whilst the children were prâ—â—ing and in their dance having made cakes of meale and honey flung them amongst the children whereby they were sustained alive this they did so long till the Samians who had charge of the children were faine to goe away and leave them then the Samians conveyed the children home to Corcyra Antenor and Dionysius affirme the Gnidians came to Samos with a fleet drove away Perianders Guard from the Temple and carried the children to Corcyra for which reason the Corcyraeans allowed the Gnidians many honours and immunities which they gave not even to the Samians CHAP. 7. His Death EXcessive melancholy amidst these crosses occasioned his death in the last yeare of the 48 Olympiad the eightieth of his age being desirous none should know where he was buried he thus contriv'd it He commanded two men to goe to a certaine place at night and to kill whom they first met and bury him After them he sent fower to kill bury the two after the fower more They obeyed his order the first killed him The Coâ—inthians erected for him an empty monument with this inscription Periander lies within Corinthian Ground For power and wisedome above all renownd Laertius hath this Epigram upon him At whatsoere shall happen be not sad Alike for all that God dispenseth glad VVise Periander did through griefe expire Because events not ioynd with his desire AUSONII LUDUS septem Sapientum The Prologue THe seven wise-men that name times past apply'd To them nor hath posteritie deny'd Themselves this day unto your view present Why dost thou blush Gown'd Roman discontent That such grave men should on the stage be brought Is 't shame to us 't was none to Athens thought Whose Councell-Chamber was their Theater True here for businesse severall places are Assign'd the Cirque for meetings Courts to take Enrolements Forums in which pleas to make But in old Athens and all Greece was known No other place for businesse but this one Viz. the Theater Which latter Luxury in Rome did raise The Aedile heretofore did build for plaies A Scaffold-stage no work of Carved stone So Gallius and Murena 't is well known But after when great Men not sparing Cost Thought it the highest glory they could boast To build for Playes a Scene more eminent The Theater grew to this vast extent Which Pompey Balbus Caesar did enlarge Vying which should exceed for state and charge But to what end all this we came not here To tell you who first built the Theater Forum or City Gates but t'usher in Grave sages who by Gods approv'd have been Such as in pleasing and instructive verse Their own judicious sentences rehearse Known to the learned and perhaps to you But if your Mem'ries cannot well renue Things spoke so long since the Comedian shall Who better then I knowes them tell you all Enter Comedian AThenian Solon Fame sings wrot at Delphis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose sense Know thy selfe is But this to Spartan Chilon most assign Some question Chilon whether this be thine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The close Of a long life regard but most suppose That Solon this to Lydian Croesus spake From Lesbian Pittacus this motto take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 's Know time But he By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here means opportunity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bias did proceed From thee that is Most men are ill Take heed You not mistake him for by ill men here He means the ignorant The next you hear Is Periander's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Thought 's All in All a Thoughtfull Man But Lyndian Cleobulus does protest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mean in All is best Thales 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cries Upon a Surety present damage lies But this ' for those who gain by it to tell May ' chance displease Now Solon comes farewell Exit Enter Solon LO Solon in his Greeks dresse treads the stage To whom as of the seven the greatest Sage Fame gave the prize of wisdome from the rest But fame is not of Censure the strict Test. Nor first nor last I take my selfe to be For there 's no order in Equalitie Well did the Delphick Prophet sport with him Who ask'd which first of the Wise-men might seem Saying if on a Globe their names he writ None first or lowest he should find in it From midst of that learn'd Round come I that so What once I spake to Croesus All here now Might take as spoken to themselves 't is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Mark the end of a long life till when forbear To say these wretched or those happy are For All till then are in a doubtfull state The proofe of this wee 'l in few words relate Croesus the King or Tyrant choose you which Of Lydia happy thought and strangely rich Who to his Gods did gold-wall'd Temples build Invites me ore I to his summons yeeld His royall summons went to Lydia Willing his subjects by our means might find Their King improv'd and better'd in his mind He asks me whom I thought the happiest Man I said Telana the Athenian Who his life nobly for his Country gave He pishes at it will another have I told him then Aglaus who the Bounds Nere past in all his life of his own grounds Smiling he saies what think you then of Me Esteem'd the happyest in the whole world We Reply'd his End could only make that known He takes this ill I willing to be gon Kisse his hand and so leave him For some ends Meantime 'gainst Persia he a war intends And all things ready does in person go How speeds he 's vanquish'd Prisoner to his foe And ready now to yeeld his latest breath For by the Victor he was doom'd to death Upon the funerall Pile rounded with Flames And smoake he thus with a loud voice exclaimes O Solon Solon now I plainly see Th' art a true Prophet Thrice thus naming me Mov'd with which words Cyrus the Conquerour Commands the Fire be quencht which by a shower Of Rain then falling happily was laid Thence to the King by a choice Guard convay'd And question'd who that Solon was and why He call'd so on his Name He for reply In Order all declares Pitty at this The Heart of Cyrus moves and Croesus is Receiv'd to grace who in a Princely Port Liv'd after honor'd in the Persian Court. Both Kings approv'd and prais'd Me but what I Said then to
naturall Philosopher for first bringing that kind of learning to Athens but how that consists with his relation to Anaxagoras who as he acknowledgeth studied naturall Philosophy thirty years in Athens Casaubone justly questions Euripides as the writer of his life affirms son of Mnesarchus born at the first time of Xeâ—xes's expedition into Greece the same day that the Grecians overthrew the Persians was first a Painter then an Auditor of Anaxagoras but seeing him persecuted for his opinâ—ons lastly converted himself to Tragick poesy Socrates Son of Sophroniscus was according to Aristoxenus an Auditor of Anaxagoras till he left the City and thereupon applyed himself to Archelaus which Porphyrius reckons above the 17th year of his age or rather the ninteenth Democritus also is by some affirmed being younger then Anaxagoras forty years to have applyed himself to him but Laertius affirms he could not endure Democritus shunn'd his conversation Phavorinus likewise attests that because he would not admit him Democritus profess'd himself his Enemy and denyed his opinions of the Sun and Moon but said they were ancient and that he stole them as likewise his description of the world and assertion concerning the mind Meâ—rodorus of Lampsacum is likewise mentioned by Laertius as friend to Anaxagoras CHAP. V. OF his triall Death sentences and writings Of his tryal saith Laertius there are several reports Sotion in his treatise of the succession of Philosophers saith he was accused by Cleon of impiety for asserting the Sun to be a burning plate but being defended by Pericles his Scholar hee was fined five Talents and banish'd Satyrus that he was cited to the Court by Thucydides who was of the contrary faction of Pericles accused not onely of impiety but of holding intelligence with the Persians and in his absence condemned to death when news was brought him at the same time both of the death of his Sons which according to Aelian were two all that he had and his own condemnation of the latter he said Nature long since condemned both them me to death of his Sons with a calm look You tell me nothing new or unexpected I knew that I beget them mortall which some â—scribe to Solon others to Xenophon Demetrius Phalereus saith hee buried them with his own hands Hermippus he was imprison'd to be put to death but Pericles appearing before the Judges asked if they knew any thing in his life that they could accuse to which they answered nothing but I saith he am his disciple then be not tansported by Calumnies to kill the man but believe me and set him at liberty so he was dismissed but not able to brook the disgrace hee kill'd himself Hieronymus saith that Pericles brought him into the Court in poor garments extenuated with sicknesse an object â—itter for compassion then Justice And thus much saith Laertius of his Tryall Suidas that he was cast into Prison by the Athenians for introducing a new opinion concerning God and banish'd the City though Pericles undertook to plead his cause and that going to Lampsacum he there starv'd himself to death Iosephus that the Athenians believing the Sun to be God which he affirm'd to be without sense and Knowledge hee was by the votes of a few of them condemned to death But if we credit Plutarch he was neither condemned nor accused but by Pericles who fear'd the Ordinance of Diopithes which cited those that held prophane or sublime Opinions sent out of the City Yet else-where hee confesseth he was accused His departure from Athens being 30. years after his coming thither falls the third year of the 82. Olimpiad the 63. of his age Thence he went to Lampsacum where he continued the rest of his age which extended to 22. years more so little mindfull of Aâ—hens or of his Country as to one who told him that he was deprived of the Athenians he answered no but they of me and to his friends who when hee fell sick asked if hee would be carried to Clazomonae his Country no said he there is no need the way to the grave is alike every where Before he died the Magistrates of the City asked him if he would they should do any thing for him hee answered that his onely request was that the boyes might have leave to play yearly on that day of the month whereon he died which custom saith Laertius is continued to this time Those of Lampsacum buried him magnificently with this Epitaph Here lies who through the truest paths did passe O' th world Celestiall Anaxagoras Aelian mentions two altars erected to him one inscribed to the mind the other to truth Laertius concludes his life with this Epigram Fam'd Anaxagoras the Sun defin'd A burning plate ' for which to die design'd Sav'd by his Scholar Pericles But he Abandon'd life to seek Philosophie He is observed never to have been seen either to laugh or smile Being demanded if the Mountains of Lampsacum would in time become Sea he answered yes if time fail not first Beholding the tomb of Mausolus he said a sumptuous Monument was a sign the substance was turned into stone He first affirmed the poesy of Homer to consist of virtue and Justice to which Metrodorus added that the Poet was skilfull in naturall Philosophy He conceived that there are two lessons of death the time before our birth and sleep Laertius and Clemens Alexandrinus assert him first of the Philosophers that put forth a Book He writ Of Natural Philosophy out of which Aristotle cites these fragments All these things were together which was the beginning of the book and â—o be such is to be changed Plato this The mind is the disposer and cause of all things Athenaeus this what is commonly called the milk of the hen is the white of the egge Plato censures the book as not using the mind at all nor assiging any cause of the order of things but aeriall aetheriall and aquatick Natures and the like incredible things for causes The quadrature of the Circle which treatise Plutarch saith hee composed during his imprisonment There were three more of the same name the first an Oratour follower of Isocrates the second a statuary mentioned by Antigonus the last a Grammarian Scholar to Zenodotus ARCHELAVS ARchelaus was either an Athenian or a Milesian his Father Apollodorus or according to some Mylon he was Scholer to Anaxagoras Master to Socrates He first transferr'd naturall Philosophy out of Ionia to Athens But how that can be when Anaxagoras his Master taught there thirty years Casaubone justly questions and therefore was called the Natural Philosopher in him naturall Philosophy ended Socrates his Scholer introducing morality but hee seemeth also to have touched morall Philosophy for he treated of lawes of things honest and just from whom Socrates receiving his learning because he increased it is therefore thought
off more safely for they who expresse least fear in thrir retreat are lesse subject to be assaulted then such as repose their confidence in flying As they came to a way that was divided into two Socrates made a stand and advis'd those that were with him not to take that way which they were going into along the Mountain Parne but the other by the way Retiste for saith he I heard the Daemons voice The greater part were angry as if he had trifled at a time so serious some few were perswaded to go along amongst whom were Laches and Alcibiades and got safely home the rest were met by some horsemen who returning from the pursuit fell upon them they at first resisted but at last enclosed by the Enemy who exceeded them in number they gave back and were in the end opprest and all killed except one who by the help of his shield getting away brought the newes to Athens and Pyrilampes Son of Antiphon who being wounded by a Javelin was taken Prisoner and when hee heard by those that were sent from Athens to Thehes to treat of peace that Socrates the rest with him got safe home he openly profest to the Thebans that Socrates had often called him and others of his company back who not following the advice of his Genius were slain The last military engagement was the same year at Amphipolis which was then taken by Brasidas the Lacedaemonian Generall CHAP. IX How he carried himself in the Democracy the Oligarchy SOcrates forbore to accept any office in the Common-wealth except in his later years that of Senatour either as Aelian saith because hee saw the Athenian government though under the form of a democracy was yet nearer to a Tyranny or Monarchy or as himself professeth being disswaded by his Genius from medling in publick affairs which advice was his preservation being too honest to comply with the injustices of the Common-wealth and to oppose them was extreamly dangerous as he found experimentally in that short time He was chosen to the Senate for the Antiochian tribe wherunto as we have said Alopece the Town were he was born belonged and in order thereto took the oath which Solon appointed to be given to every Senatour to give sentence according to the Lawes not biassed either by favour hatred or any other pretext In the third year of the 93. Olimpiad the preheminence coming in course to the Antiochian tribe and Socrates thereupon becoming President of the people hee had this occasion of manifesting his constancy There happen'd a Sea fight between the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians at Arginusae The Athenian Commanders were ten the Lacedaemonians Commander in chief Callic atidas the Lacedaemonians were overthrown their Admâ—al sunk the Athenians went back to Argâ—uae with the losse of 25 ships and all the men in them except some few that escaped to land The ten Commanders order'd Theramenes and Thrasilulus Captains of the Galleyes to look out after the vessells that were shipwrackt which as they were going to do a suddain tempest arose and hindred them Six of these Commanders returned to Athens where they no sooner came but upon the account they gave of the fight the Senate committed them to prison Theramenes was their accuser who urged that they might be question'd for not relieving those that were lost by shipwrack The Commanders justâ—y answer'd that they had given order for their relief and that Theramenes and Thrasibulus on whom that charge was imposed were if any to be condemned but that they would not retort the fault on their accusers for the Tempest sufficiently excused them This satisfied the Senate for that time but at the next feast being the Apaturia some friends of Theramenes by his instigation shaving their hair and putting on mourning apparell pretending to be kinsmen of those that were drowned came in that habit to the Senate and causing the charge against the ten Commanders to be renewed so much incensed the people that they by menaces contrary to all law enforced the Senate to condemn them Socrates being order'd to write the decree against them avoided it by pretending he could not write and knew not the form which occasion'd laughter in the Senate and perhaps that aspersion of Porphyrius that he was scarce able to write which when he did it was to derision but the true reason is by Athenaeus acknowledg'd to be his constant fortitude in that he would not violate the lawes of the Common-wealth contrary to the Oath he had taken to which he took more heed then to the violence wherewith he was threatned For when the Senate proceeded to their condemnation he alone opposed it with his suffrage whereupon many Oratours prepared to accuse him and the people cried out with loud clamours that he might be brought to answer for it but he chose rather to hazard himself for Law and Justice then through fear of imprisonment and death to consent to injustice as the death of these men was afterwards known to be even to the Athenians themselves and was soon after punished in Theramenes by the like wherein Socrates gave the same testimony of his Courage upon this occasion Athens after a long war with the Lacedaemonians of 27. years being taken at last by Lysander the Lacedaemonian Generall in the first year of the 94th Olympiad there grew some debate concerning the alteration of the Government from a democracy to an Oligarchy Theramenes stood for the continuance of the democracy but being oveswai'd by the power and threats of Lysander yielded to the constitution of thirty persons by title Governours in effect Tyrants of which number was Theramenes whom they took in regard of his known moderation and equity to bridle the rapine and avarice of others Critias first a friend but now a great enemy to Socrates for reproving his love of Euridamus Charicles and others whose names are set down by Xenophon as are also their murders unjust sequestrations of lands and confiscations of goods They began with punishment of the worst persons proceeded to the richest and ended with the best Never saith Seneca was any City more miserable 1300. Aechines saith 1500. of the best persons they put to death without any legall trial nor was their fury thereby asswaged but more exasperated That City where was the Areopagus the most religious Court of Judicature where the Senate and people like the Senate used to assemble was daily made a sad Colledge of Executioners an unhappy Court too narrow for the Tyrants without rest from oppression without hope of liberty or remedy All fled the City but Socrates who all this while set not his foot out of the gates he was continually amongst the people comforted the lamenting Fathers encourag'd those that despair'd of the state reproached to the rich that had lived in fear to lose their wealth the late repentance of their dangerous avarice and to those that
would imitate him gave great examples whilst he walked free amidst the thirty oppressours Theramenes opposing this cruelty and injustice was accused by Critias for betraying the trust of the Common-wealth whereof he acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the Senate But Critias and his faction fearing he might overthrow the Oligarchy seized upon him with a troop of souldiers Theramenes run to the Altar but being dragg'd from thence by the officers he behaved himself like saith Diodorus the Disciple of Socrates the people pittied him but none of them durst offer to help him because he was compass'd in by the souldiers except Socrates and two of his companions who ran to him and endeavoured to rescue him out of the hands of the officers Theramenes desired them to forbear telling them that he much loved and commended their kindnesse and virtue but that it would be the greatest misfortune he could have if their love to him should occasion their deaths whereupon Socrates and his companions seeing none come in to join with them in his aid and that the contrary party was too strong for them gave over Theramenes was carried to prison and there being sentenced to drink hemlock died These outrages of the thirty Tyrants Socrates did not forbear to censure Seeing many eminent persons put to death and the rich circumvented betray'd to excessive punishments he said to Antisthenes doth it repent thee that we have done nothing in our whole lives great remarkable as those Monarchs who are described in Tragedies Atreus's Thyestes's Agamemnon's and Aegisthus's they are in those playes beheaded teasted with their own flesh and generally destroyed Buâ— no Pâ—et was ever so bold and impudent as to bring a hog killed upon the stage To another who murmur'd bâ—cause he was not looked upon since they began to rule are you sorry for it said he Hee said likewise that it were strange if a Neatherd who diminished and impoverished his herd should not confesse himself an ill Neatherd but more strange that one who being set over a City made the Citizens worse and their number less should not confesse himself an ill Governour This came to their knowledge whereupon Critias and Charicles sent for him and forbad him strictly to teach or discourse with any of the young men Socrates asked them if in aâ—s of prohibition he might be permitted to question what hee understood nâ—t which they granting Then continues he I am ready to obey the Lawes but lest I transgresse them through ignorance I desire to be informed whether when you forbid me the act of speaking this act be to be understood of things spoken rightly or not rightly if of the first I must abstain from speaking what is right if of the second I must take care to speak nothing but what is right Hereupon Charicles being displeased said Since you understood not that Socrates we command you what is easier to be understood that hence forward you speak not at all with any of the young men To take away all ambiguity replies Socrates that I may not exceed my limitation let me know expresly at what years you call a man young so long saith Charicles as he is uncapable of being Senatour and bath not attained to the height of his judgemen you are not to speak with any under thirty May I not buy answers Socrates of any under that age nor ask them the price of any thing That you may saith Charicles but your custom is to ask questions of things which you know very well forbear those and shall I not then replies Socrates make answer if anyone ask me where Charicles dwells or where Critias is To such questions saith Charicles you may You must continues Critias refrain from the artisicers whose ears you have sufficiently grated with your impertinent discourse I must then obstain saith Socrates from justice piety and the like Even from the very Neatherds replies Charicles which unlesse you do take heed your head come not short home This ill will and jealousie which they had conceived against Socrates was increased by the secret departure of some friends of his out of the City which was reported to be done by his contrivement to give intelligence to the Thebans nor was that suspicion without reason as is manifest by his last Epistle hereupon they sumon'd him into the Court where some complaints were brought against him of which having acquitted himselfe they to get a better cause of quarrel against him gave order to him and four more to go to the Pyraeum and to apprehend Leon whom they meant to put to death that they might possesse his estate But Socrates refused adding that he would never willingly assist an unjust act whereupon Chaâ—icles said dost thou think Socrates to talk thus peremptorily and not to suffer A thousand ills answered Socrates but none so grievous as to do unjustly Charicles made no reply nor any of the rest the other foure went for Leon Socrates directly to his house but from thence forward the jealousie they had of him was so much encreased that if their power had not been soon dissolved they would have gone neer to have taken away his life CHAP. XI His falling out with the Sophists and with Anytus THe Sophists Masters of language in those â—imes saith Cicero whereof were Gorgias of Leontium Thrasymachus of Chalcedon Protagoras oâ— Abdera Prodicus a Cian Hippias an Elian and many others who profest in arrogant words to teach how an inferiour cause such was their phrase might by speaking be made superiour and used a sweet fluent kind of Rhetorick argute in sentences loftie in words sitter for ostentation then pleading for the Schooles and Academies rather then the Forum were so highly esteem'd that wheresoevâ—r they came they could perswade the young men to forsake all other conversation for theirs These Socrates opposed and often by his subtlety of disputing refelling their principles with his accustomed interrogatories demonstrated that they were indeed much beneath the esteem they had gained â—hat they themselves understood nothing of that which they undertook to teach others he withdrew the young men from their empty conversation These who till then had been looked upon as Angels for wit and Eloquence he proved to be vain affecters of words ignorant of those things which they profest and had more need to give mony to be taught then to take as they used mony for teaching The Athenians taken with these reproof's which Socrates gave them derided them and excited their children to the study of solid vertue Another quarrell Socrates had of long continuance for it was the occasion of his death but begun many years before with Anytus an Oratour by profession privately maintained and enriched by Leather-sellers He had put two of his sons to Socrates to be taught but not being pleased that whilst they were in that way they had not learned so much as to be able thereby to get their
be because saith he I never did any unjust act which I conceive the best apologie but we often see Judges saith Hermogenes overswai'd by Rhetorick to condemne the innocent and acquit the guilty the truth is replyed Socrates going about to make my apology I was twice withheld by the Daemon whereat Hermogenes wondring is it strange continues hee that God should think it fit for me to dy at this time hitherto no man hath lived more uprightly which as it is now my greatest comfort so it was the greatest delight to my selfe and friends if I live longer I know I mustundergoe what is proper to old age defects of hearing and sight slownesse to apprehend aptness to forget how can I then be pleased to live longer and grow worse It is likely God in his love to mee hath ordained that I should die in the most convenient age and by the gentlest meanes for if I die by sentence I am allowed the benefit of the most easie kind of death I shall give my friends the least trouble I shall doe nothing unseemely before those that are present and shall depart sound in body and soule is not this very desirable God with much reason forbids me to make any defence If I could effect it I should onely stay longer to be taken away by the torment of diseases and imperfections of age which truly Hermogenes I desire not If when I give an accompt of my actions towards God and men the Judges think fit to condemne me I will rather chufe to die then to beg of them a life worse then death Other friends used the same perswasions to him with assurance of victory Lycias an excellent Oratour offered him an Oration which he had written in his defence desiring him if he thought good to make use of it at his tryall Socrates perused it and told him that it was a good one but not fit for him Lysias asking how that could be why saith he may not a garment or shooes be rich yet not fit for me if you should bring me Sicyonian shooes I would not weare them though they were fit for my feet because they are effeminate he conceived the Oration to be ingenious and eloquent but not stout and manly for though it were very bitter against the Judges yet was it more rhetoricall then became a Philosopher The day of tryall being come Anytus Lyco and Melitus prepared to accuse him one in behalfe of the people the second of the Oratours the last of the Poets Melitus first went up into the chaire proper for that purpose and there spoke an Oration which was in it felt mean enough but withall deliver'd so unhappily and school-boy-like that sometimes he was out with fear and turned about to be prompted like a player enough to beget laughter even in those that were most concern'd in so serious a caufe Part of the effect whereof seems to be the same which is thus by Xenophon dispersedly deliver'd some particulars whereof are confirmed by Libanius That Socrates perswaded his auditors to contemn the received Lawes saying it was sit onely for fooles to bee govern'd by a bean meaning the suffrages of the Senate so gather'd That he was intimately conversant with Critias and Alcibiades one most covetous and violent in the Oligarchy the other ambitious of Tyranny That he taught direspect and obedience to Parents telling his scholers hee would make them wiser than their Fathers and that it was lawfull for any one to bind his Father if hee were mad and for those that were the more wise to do as much to those that were lesse wise That he taught also direspect of all other kinsmen saying they were not usefull to the sick or to the accused the first being in more need of a Physician the latter of an Oratour that the good will of unable friends was nothing worth that onely the most knowing persons were most worthy of honour by which means he would arrogate all respect to himself That he selected out of the Poets some ill places and perverted others that were not so to excite his friends to impious actions as that of Hesiod There is no work pursued shame 'T is idleness hat merits blame He expounded as if the Poet meant all acts might be committed for gain That he often repeated and misinterpreted tese words of Homer as if the poet allowed the poor to be beaten When he a Prince or some great person meets Such with soft language kindly thus he greets Happy above the reach of fear are you Sit down and bid your followers do so too But of the lower fort when any speaks Forth these words with blows his anger breaks Be quiet to shy betters wretch submit For action and advice alike unsit Melitus his oration ended came down next him came Anytus with a long malicious speech and last of all Lyco with all the artisice of Rhetorick concluded the accusation Socrates would not as was the custom procure an Advocate to plead for him all the while his accusers were speaking he seemed to employ his mind about nothing lesse as soon as they had done he went up into the chair in which action he observed that the Daemon did not withhold him anâ— with an angry smile begun this unpremeditated answer not as a suppliant or guilty person but as if Master of the Judges themselves with a free contumacy proceeding not from pride but the greatnesse of his mind But I wonder first Athenians how Melitus came by this knowledge that as he saith I do not worship those Gods the City worships Others have seen me and to might Melitus if he had pleas'd sacrifice at common festivalls on the publick Altars How do I introduce new deities when I professe to be directed in all my actions by the voice of God they who observe the notes of birds or answers of men are guided by the voice none doubts of thunder whether it bee loud or oraculous Doth not the Priestesse on the Tripod convey to us by voice what the God delivers to her and that he foreknowes events communicating them to whom pleaseth him all men as well as I believe and professe others call those that foretell events Augurs Soothsayers and Diviners I the Daemon and I conceive more religiously then they who ascribe a Divine power to birds That I am no impostor herein many can attest who have asked my advice and never found it fail Here there arose a murmur in the Senate some not believing others envying what he said that he should surpasse them in such a particular favour of the deity Let such as are incredulous hear this also to confirm their opinion that I am not favour'd of the Gods when Chaerephon in the presence of many witnesses question'd the Delphian Oracle concerning me Apollo answered that no man was more free more just or more wise here another murmur arose amongst the Judges he proceeded Yet
it was nothing to him being used to it like such as live in the continuall noise of a mill Besides saith he cannot you endure the cackling of hens but they answered Alcibiades bring me Eggs and chickens and my Xantippe replies Socrates children Of her impatience and his sufferance there are severall instances one day before some of his friends she fell into the usuall extravagance of her passion whereupon he not answering anything went forth with them but was no sooner out of the doore when she running up into the chamber threw down water upon his head whereat turning to his friends did I not tell you saith he that after so much thunder we should have rain Another time she pulled his Cloak off from his shoulders in the open Forum some friends present counselled him to beat her Yes saith he that whilst we two fight you may all stand by and cry Well done Socrates to him Xantippe To some other story in the same kind Antoninus alludes in these words how Socrates looked when he was sain to gird himselfe with askin Xantippe having taken his cloths away and carried them forth with her and what he said to his friends who out of a modest respectsulnesse went back secing him so attired Having brought Euthydemus from the Palaestrae to dine with him Xantippe running to the table angry and scolding overturned it Euthydemus much troubled rose up and would have gone away when Socrates did not a Hen saith he the other day did the very samething at your house yet I was not angry thereat Alcibiades having sent him a crious march-pane Xantippe furiously as her manner was threw it our of the basket and trode upon it whereat Socrates laughing and shall not you saith he lose your share in it Another time she offered to go to a publick show attired undecently take heed saith he you be not rather the spectacle then the spectatour With reason therefore he said I had three evills Grammer Poesy and an ill wife two I have shaken off but my ill wife I cannot His other wife was named Myrto Niece to Lystmachus daughter of 〈◊〉 not the just as Laertius and from him Suidas affirm but another of that name the 3d. from him as is observed by Atheâ—aeus for the two daughters of Aristides the just could not but be of great age before the 77. Olympiad wherein Socrates was born long before which time Aristides died an old man in Exile for that Themistocles died the second year of the 77. Olympiad is certain and as Aemilius Probus affirms Aristides dyed four years before Themistocles was banished Athens hereupon Plutarch more cautioâ—sly calls her not the daughter but Niece of Aristides Some because Xantippe as is manifest from Plato outlived him believe he was first married to Myrto but that he had both these wives at the same time which is attested by Demetrius Pholereus Aristoxenus to whom Athenaeus saith that Aristotle gave the ground Callisthenes and Porphyrius whence Aristippus in his Epistle to his daughter Myrto adviseth her to go to Athens and above all to honour Xantippe and Myrto and to live with them as he with Socrates The occasion whereupon the Atheâ—ans who from the time of Cecrops had strictly observed single marriage allowed bigamy in the time of Socrates was this In the second year of the 87 Olympiad and the third of the 88. Athens was visited extreamly with the pestilence which attended by war and famine occasioned to great a searcity of men that they made in edict it might to be lawfull for any that would to take two wives Euripides made use of this indulgence and that Socrates also did so is attested by Satyrus the peripatetick and Hieronymus the Rhodian who recorded the order to which Athenaeus imputes the silence of the Comick Poets in this particular who omitted no grounds of reproach Plutarch implies that he took her out of charity for she was a widdow without any portion or dower extreamly in want Perphyrius reports that these two Xantippe and Myrto quarrell'd they would at last fall both upon Socrates and beat him because he stood by and never parted them but laughed as well when they fought with him as with one antother By Xantippe hee had a son named Lamprocles who could not brook her impatience so well as his Father and being 〈◊〉 by her into disobedience was reclaimed by Socrates Hee died young as may be gathered from Plutarch who saith Timâ—chus of Chaeroâ—ca dying very young desired earnestly of Socrates that he might be buried near his son Lamprocles who died but few daies before being his dear friend and of the same age It appears from Plato that he had more sons by her for in his Apology he mentions three two grown men the other child which seems to be the same brought by Xantippe to him in prison the day of his death and as Plato describes it held in her lap By Myrto he had two sons the eldest Sophroniscus the youngest Menedemus or Menexenus though some say he had Menedemus by Xantippe CHAP. XVII His Scholers and Auditors WHeras saith Cicero many springing from Socrates by reason that out of his severall various disputes diffused every where one many servrall Families differing amongst themselves much disioyned and disagreeing yet all these Philosophers would be called and conceived themselves to be Socraticks of these were Plato from whom came Aristotle and Xenocrates the first taking the name of Peripatetick the other of Academick Antisthenes who chiesly affected the patience and bardinesse in Socrates his discourse from whom came first the Cynicks then the Stoicks Aristippus who was more delighted with his more volupuous disputations from him sprung the cyrenaick Philosophy Others there were who likewise called themselves Socraticks but their sects by the strength and arguments of the former are broken and quite extinxct such were Phaedo an Elean who instituted a particular school from him called Eliack which aâ—terwards was called Eretriack from Menedemus who taught at Eretia from him Pyrrho thence the Pyrrhonians Euclid of Megara Institutor of the Magarick school of named from him from Clinomachus his Disciple called the Diatectick ending in Zeno the Cittiean who introduced the stoick The Herillians are named also as a Scot that would be called Socratick To these recited by Cicero Suidas addes Bryso of Heraclea who together with Euclid invented disputative logick Theodorus sirnamed the Atheist who invented a peculiar sect called Theodorean the opinion which hee taught was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indifference Other Disciples of Socrates there were who followed his Philosophy not appropriating out of it any particular sect and therefore most properly deserve the title of Socraticks such are Crito Chaerephon Xenophon Aeschines Simmias Cebes Glauco and Terpsion The last kind of his auditours were those who made no profession of Philosophy of whom were Critias and Alcibiades who afterwards proved the
â—e lived at Scilluns and at Cotinth THe Lacedemonians to requite him for suffring in their cause maintained him at the publique charge and purchasing Scilluns of the Eleans built a Town there and bestowed a fair house and land upon Xenophon whereupon hee left Agesilaus and went thither carrying with him his wife named Philesia and his two sons which he had by her Diodorus and Gryllus called the Dioscuri Pelopâ—das a Spartan 〈◊〉 sent him Captives for slaves from Dardanus for a present to dispose of them as should please him Scilluns was near Olympia eminent for celebration of the Games which Megabyzus coming to see restored to Xenophon the money which he had left in his custody wherewith by advice of the Oracle he purchased a portion of land and consecrated it to Diana in a place designed by Apollo through which ran the River Selinus of the same name with that at Ephesus running by Diana's Temple the River was stored as well with shell-fish as others the land with all kind of beasts for game he built also a Temple and after with the consecrated money offering the tithes of the fruits of the land to Diana all the Citzens and Neighbours men and women were invited to the feast where they had from the Goddesses allowance bread wine and part of the flesh of such beasts as was either taken out of the consecrated ground and sacrificed or killed in hunting with the Sons of Xenophon and other Citizens exercised against the time of the feast out of the sacred ground and out of Phaloe were taken wild Boars Goats and Staggs the place lies in the way betwixt Lacedaemonia and Olympia twenty Stadia from the Temple of Olympian Iupiter In the sacred ground were woods and hills stored with trees sufficient to maintain swine Goats and sheep whereby the beasts of carriage of such Merchants as come to the feast are maintained plentifully about the Temple a Grove of fruit-trees of all sorts The Temple was an imitation in little of that at Ephesus an image of Cypresse here resembling that of Gold there A Pillar near the Temble bare this inscription GROUNDS ACRED DIANA HE WHO POSSESSETH IT LET HIM PAY THE TITHE OF HIS YEARLY ENCREASE AND WITH THE SURPLUS AGE MAINI AIN THE TEMPLE IF HE NEGLECT THE GODDESSE WILL TAKE ORDER FOR IT At this place of retirement Xenophon employed his time in hunting and writing Histories inviting his friends thither of whom amongst others came Phaedo and Aristippus much delighted with the situation building and trees planted by the hand of the owner At length a war arising betwixt the Eleans and Lacedaemonians the Eleans invaded Scilluns with a great Army and before the Lacedemonians came to their reliefe seized on the house lands of Xenophon His sons with some few servants got away privately to Lepreum Xenophon first to Elis then to Lepreum to his sons and lastly with them to Corinth where he took a house and continued the rest of his life During this time the Argives Arcadians and Thebans jointly opposed the Lacedemonians and had almost opprest them when the Athenians made a publique decree mentioned by a Xenophon to succour them Xenophon sent his Sonns upon the expedition to Athens to fight for the Lacedemonians for as Diocles affirms they had been educated at Sparta in the discipline of that place This enmity ended in a great battle at Mantinea in the second year of the hundreth and fourth Olympiad Diodorus without acting any thing memorable gave off safe and had afterwards a son of his brothers name Gryllus was ranked opposite to the Theban horse-men the Thebans having by the valour of their Generall Epâ—â—minondas got the better of the day a resolute company of Spartan horse-men broke in upon him of whom was Gryllus who slew Epaminondas with his own hand as Pausanias affirmes to have been attested both by the Athenians and the Thebans adding that he had seen at Ahtens a picture of the battle at Mantinea confirming the same and that at Mantinâ—a was erected a Pillar with the statue of Gryllus on horseback In this noble action Gryllus lost his life the newes of whose death came to Xenophon at Corinth as he was sacrificing Crowned with a Garland as soon as he heard his son was slain he took off his Garland and laid it aside then demanding after what manner he died it was answered sighting stoutly in the midst of his enemies of whom having slain many he fell at last himselfe Hereupon Xenophon took again his Garland and putting it upon his head proceeded to sacrifice not so much as shedding one tear only saying I knew that I had begot a mortall and calling the Gods to whom he sacrificed to witnesse that the vertue of his son gave him more coÌ„tent then his death sorrow Innumerable were the Epitaphs and Encomiums that were written upon Gryllus to please Xenophon whence may be collected in how great esteem he was That he made a visit to Dionysius Tyrant of Sicily but at what time is uncertain is implied by Athenaeus who relateth that being at a feast of his compelled by the Cup-bearer to drink he called the Tyrant by name What is the matter Dyonysius saith he your Cook though excellent in that art doth not enforce us to eat against our inclination CHAP. VII His Death Person Vertues Xenophon being full of years which according to Lucian exceeded ninety died at Corinth in the first of the hundreth and fifth Olympiad Callidemus or Callimedes being Archon at what time Philip son of Amintas began his raign in Macedonia He had an ingenious modest look long thick hair handsome to use the words of Laertius beyond expression Adroit in every thing particularly addicted to horses and hunting skilfull in Tacticks as his writings attest devout a great loâ—er of sacrifices skilfull in interpreting them an exact imitatour of Socrates temperate as appears from his saying that It is pleasant hungry to eat herbs thirsty to drink water So candid and ingenious that when he might have stollen the writings of Thucydides which lay concealed he chose rather to publish them with honour In a word he was a person every was absolute as well for action as contemplation Xenophon saith Eunapius was the only man of all the Philosophers who adorned Philosophy with his words and actions he describes morall 〈◊〉 in his discourses and writings in his acâ—ions he was singular as to his conduct a most excellenâ— Generall Alexander had not beâ—n great iâ— Xenophon had not said even the perfunctory actions of valtant persons ought to be recorded He was the first that committed the disputes of Socrates his Master to writing and that with much sidelity not inserting excursions of his own as Plato did whom for that reason as â—gellius observes he argueth of falsehood that there was a great enmity betwixt these two is affirmed by
but serviceable in war In the same kind erre they who purchase Lands for their Children but neglect their persons Their possessions will be of great value themsleves of none whereas the owner ought to be more honourable then his estate Whosoevever therefore breeds his Son well though he leave him little gives him much It is the mind which makes him great or small whatsoever they have to the good seems sufficient to the rude too little You leave your Children no more then necessitie requires which they being well educated will esteem plentifull The ignorant though free from present trouble have nothing the lesse fear for the future To Sotira Epist. 3. DEath in my opinion is neither good nor ill but the end of the life not alike to all for as stronger or weaker from their birth their years are unequall sometimes death is hastned by good or evill causes and again Neither is it fitting to grieve so much for death knowing that birth is the beginning of mans Pilgrimage death the end Hee died as all men though never so unwilling must do but to die well is the part of a willing and well educated ' person Happy was Gryllus and whosoever else chooseth not the longest life but the most virtuous though his it pleased God was short To Lamprocles Epist. 4. You must first approve the excellent assertion of Socrates that Riches are to he measured by their use He called not large possessions riches but so much onely as is necessary in the judgement whereof he advised us not to be deceived these he called truly rich the rest poor labouring under an incurable poverty of mind not estate Epist. 5. THey who write in praise of my Son Gryllus did as they ought and you likewise do well in writing to us the actions of Socrates wee ought not onely to endeavour to be good our selves but to praise him who lived chastly piously and justly and to blame fortune and those who plotted against him who ere long will receive the punishment thereof The Lacedaemonians are much incensed at it for the ill newes is come hither already and reproach our people saying they are mad again in that they could be wrought upon to put him to death whom Pythia declared the wisest of men If any of Socrates friends want those things which I sent give me notice and I will help them for it is just and honest you do well in in keeping Aeschines with you as you send me word I have a design to collect the sayings and actions of Sâ—crates which will be his best apology both now and for the future not in the Court where the Athenians are Judges but to all who consider the virtue of the man If we should not write this freely it were a sin against friendship and the truth Even now there fell into my hands a piece of Plato's to that effect wherein is the name of Socrates and some discourse of his not unpleasant * But we must professe that we heard not nor can commit to writing any thing in that kind for we are not Poets as hee is though he renounce Poetry for amidst his entertainments with beautiful persons he affirmed that there was not any Poem of his extant but one of Socrates young and handsome Farewell both dearest to me Epist. 6. INtending to celebrate the feast of Diana to whom we have erected a Temple we sent to invite you hither If all of you would come it were much the best otherwise if you send such as you can conveniently spare to assist at our sacrifice you will do us a favour Aâ—istippus was here and before him Phaedo who were much pleased with the scituation and structure but above all with the plantation which I have made with my own hands The place is stored with beasts convenient for hunting which the Goddesse affects Let us rejoice and give thanks to her who preserved me from the King of the Barbarians and afterwards in Pontus and Thrace from greater evills even when we thought wee were out of the Enemies reach Though you come not yet am I obliged to write to you I have composed some memorialls of Socrates when they are perfect you shall have them Aristippus and Phaedo did not disapprove of them Salute in my name Simon the leather-dresser and commend him that hee continueth Socratick discourses not diverted by want or his trade from Philosophy as some others who decline to know and admire such discourses and their effects Epist. 7. COme to us dear friend for we have now finished the Temple of Diana a magnificent structure the place set with trees and consecrated what remains will be sufficient to maintain us for as Socrates said if they are not fit for us we will fit our selves to them I writ to Gryllus my son and your friend to supply your occasions I writ to Gryllus because of a little one you have profest a kindnesse for him To Xantippe Epist. 8. TO Euphron of Megara I delivered six measures of meale eight drachmes and a new rayment for your use this winter accept them and know that Euclid and Terpsion are exceeding good honest persons very affectionate to you and Socraâ—es If your sons have a desire to come to me hinder them not for the journey to Megaâ—a is neither long nor incommodious Pray forbear to weep any more it may do hurt but cannot help Remember what Socrates said follow his practise and precepts In grieving you will but wrong your self and children They are the young ones of Socraâ—es whom we are obliged not onely to maintain but to preserve our selves for their sakes lest if you or I or any other who after the death of Socracrates ought to look to his Children should fail they might want a Guardian to maintain and protect them I study to live for them which you will not do unlesse you cherish your self Grief is one of those things which are opposite to life for by it the living are prejudiced Apollodorus sirnamed the soft and Dion praise you that you will accept nothing from any professing you are rich it is well done for as long as I and other friends are able to maintain you you shall need none else Be of good courage Xantippe lose nothing of Socrates knowing how great that man was think upon his life not upon his death yet that to those who consider it will appear noble and excellent Farewell To Cebes and Simmias Epist. 9. IT is commonly said nothing is richer then a poor man this I find true in my self who have not so much but whilest you my friends take care of me seem to possesse much and it is well done of you to supply me as often as I write As concerning my Commentaries there is none of them but I fear should be seen by any in my absence as I profest in your hearing at the house where Euclid lay I know dear friends a
History The sixt an Oratour who wrote nine Books entitled by the names of the Muses The seventh a Lyrick Poet. The eight a Milesian Statuary mention'd by Polemon The ninth a Tragick Poet one of those who were called Tarâ—ici The tenth a Statuary of Clazomene or Chios mentioned by Hipâ—â—nax THE MEGARICK SECT EVCLID CHAP. I. His Country and Masters EUCLID instituter of the Megarick Sect was born at Megara Town adjacent upon the Isthmus though others say at Geta a City of Sicilie He first studied the writings of Parmenides then went to Athens to hear Socrates Afterwards the Athenians made an order that if any Citizen of Megara came into the City of Athens he should be put to death So great was the hatred the Athenians bore to the Megarenses Thucydides mentions this Decree whereby the Megarenses were prohibited to make use of any Lawes within the Athenian jurisdiction or the Attick Forum Which Order the Lacedemonians requiring to be repealed and not prevailing the Peloponnesian War ensued thereupon the cruellest and longest that ever was amongst the Grecians Euclid who was of Megara and before that Decree used to go to Athens and hear Socrates after it was promulgated came by night in a long womans Gown and Cloak of severall colours his head attired in a womans Vail so Varro expounds Rica from his house in Megara to Athens to Socrates that he might be in that time partaker of his counsell and instructions and went back again before that day in the same habit above twenty thousand paces Upon the death of Socrates Plato and the rest of the Philosophers fearing the cruelty of the Tyrants went to Megara to him who entertained them kindly CHAP. II. His institution of a Sect. HE affected litigious disputes and was therefore told by Socrates that he knew how to conteâ—d with Sophists but not with meâ—â— Suitable to this contentious humour he instituted a Sect first called Megarick from the place afterwards Eristick from the litigious sophisticall nature thereoâ— Whence Diogeneâ— said it was not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a School but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anger thus reproved by Timon Oâ— all these triflles I not value ouâ—ht Wâ—ichâ— Phaedo nor litigious Eucâ—â—d caughtâ— Who the Megareans mad contention taught Lastly it was called Dialectick which name Dionysius a Carthaginian first gave them because their discourses consisted of question and answer He affirmed that there is but one good which is called by severall names sometimes Prudence sometimes God sometimes the Minde and the like He took away all things opposite to good saying there was no such thing He used arguments not by assumption but by inference He took away disputation by similitude saying that it consisted either of like or unlike if of like it were better to examine the things themselves to which they are like if of unlike the comparison is to no purpose CHAP. III. His Apothegmes Writings HE was famous in the Schooles saith Plutarch for as much as hearing his Brother in in a wild rage say Let me perish if I be not revenged he answered and I unlesse I perswade you to lay aside your anger and love me as at first If Hierocles who relates the same story for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writ not as Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—hat epithite occasion'd the mistake He said 〈◊〉 there is one kinde of sleep a young pliant Deity easie to be driven away the other gray and aged chiefly frequenting old men Pertinacious and inexorable from this God if he once come it is hard to get loose words avail nothing for he is deafe nor can you shew him any thing that may move him for he is blinde Being demanded what the Gods are and wherein they delight Of all things else concerning them saith he I am ignorant but of this I know they hate curious persons He wrot besides other things six Dialogues Panaetius doubts whether they were genuine or spurious their Titles these Lamprias Aeschines Phaenix or as Suidas the Phoenixes Crito Alcibiades The Erotick Of the same names are numbered Euclid the Mathematician a Megarean also whence confounded by Valerius Maximus with the Philosopher Plato saith he â—ent the undertakers of the sacred Altar who came to confer with him concerning the manner and form thereof to Euclid the Geometrâ—cian yielding to his skill and prâ—â—ession That these undertakers came to Plato is evident from the testimony of many others but that he remitted them to Euclid the Geometrician or that Euclid the Philosopher own'd that profession is no where to be proved Oh the contrary Proclus affirms that Euclid the Mathematician was of the Platonick Sect and that Ptolomy King of Aegypt asking if there were any shorter way to Geometry he answered Not any Kings-high-way From the death of Socrates to the first of the Ptolomies are 95 years So that Euclid the Mathematician was much latter then the Philosopher Euclid the Archon in the second year of the 88th Olympiad according to Diodorus Siculus but Aristotle names the Archon for that year Euclees confirmed by his Commentators and by Suidas who only erres a little in the distance of years betwixt him and Euclid the other Archon Salmasius not knowing the name Euclees to be any where found amongst the Archontes and expresly affirming the contrary endeavours to corrupt the Text of Suidas reading Diocles. Euclid the Archon in the second year of the 94th Olympiad Euclid the Soothsayer friend to Xenophon who mentions him Euclid the Stone-cutter named in Plato's Will EVBVLIDES EUBULIDES a Mileâ—ian succeeded Euclid some affirm that Demosthenes the Oratour was his Scholler and that Demosthenes not being able to pronounce the Letter R he taught him by continuall exercise to do it He was a great enemy to Aristotle and much aspersed him In Dialectick he invented many kinds of Interrogation or argument 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the occult 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Electra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Vailed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sorites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the horned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the bald Of which thus Demosthenes The Oratours sharp Eubulides knowes With subtle forked questions how to pose Speech from Demosthenes not sweeter flowes These are severall kinds of Sophisms which Aristotle in generall defines Eristick Syllogismes from this School borrowed and enlarged afterwards by the Stoicks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 termed by Athenaeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Cicero mentiens is a captious reasoning not to be dissolved named as most of the rest not from the form but matter the ordinary example being this If you say that you lye when you speak truth you lye But you say that you lye when you speak truth therefore you lye Such is that in Africanus A man having foure hundred Crownes disposeth in Legacies
son of Thales his Father sent with others thither at the division of the Land upon their defection from and subjection by the Athenians at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War and returned to Athens at what time those Athenians were ejected by the Lacedemonians in aid of the Aeginetae He was of an eminent Family his Father Aristo Son of Aristoteles of the race of Codrus Son of Melanthus who as Thrasylus affirmes derived themselves from Neptune Melanthus flying Messena came to Athens where afterwards by a Stratagem killing Xanthus he was made King after Thymocles the last of the Theseidae His Mother Perictione by some called Potone whose Kindred with Solon is thus described by Laertius and Proclus Execestides had two Sons Solon and Dropides Dropides had Critias mentioned by Solon in his Poems Bid fair-haird Critias his Sire observe A wandring minde will from his leader swerve Critias had Callaeschrus Callaeschrus had Critias one of the thirty Tyrants and Glaucon whom Apuleius calls Glaucus Glaucon had Charmides and Perictione Perictione by Aristo had Plato the sixt from Solon Solon was descended from Neptune and Neleus Father of Nestor Thus Laertius from whom Proclus dissents only in that that he makes Glaucon Son of the first Critias Brother to Callaeschâ—us which Critias manifestly saith he in Plat. Charmides confirmes calling Glauco Father of Charmides his Uncle Thus was Plato descended both waies from Neptune â—here are saith Apuleius who assert Plato of a more sublime race Aristander followed by many Platonists thinks he was begotten on his Mother by some Spectrum in the shape of Apollo Speusippus in his Treatise entitl'd Plato or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clearchus in his Eulogie of Plato Anaxiliâ—es in his second Book of Philosophers Plutarch Suidas and others affirm it to have been commonly reported at Athens that he was the Son of Apollo who appearing in vision to her being a woman of extraordinary Beautie Perictionae se miscuit she thereupon conceived Aristo her Husband having often attempted to enjoy her but in vaine at last Apollo appearing to him in a vision or dream and a voice commanding him to refrain the company of his Wife for ten Months untill her delivery were past he forbore whence Tyndarus He did not issue from a mortall bed A God his Sire a God-like life he led Some thereupon as Saint Hierom saith affirmed he was born of a Virgin and it was a common speech among the Athenians that Phoebus begat Aesculapius and Plato one to cure Bodies the other Soules Aristo had afterwards by Perictione two Sons Adimaretus and Glauco and a Daughter Potone Mother to Speusippus These relations of Plato will be more conspicuous in this Genealogicall Table For the Year of his Birth to omit the mistakes of Eusebius who placeth it in the fourth year of the eightie eight Olympiad in the Archonship of Stratocles and of the Chronicon Alexandrinum that placeth it the year following Laertius saith He was born according to the Chronologie of Apollodorus in the eightie eight Olympiad which seemes to be towards the beginning of the first year whilst Aminias was yet Archon For Laertius elsewhere saith that he was six years younger then Isocrates for Isocrates saith he was born when Lysimachus Plato when Aminias was Archon under whom Pericles dyed in the third year of the Peloponesian War This Aminias is by the Scholiast of Euripides called Ameinon by Athenaeus Epameinon by Diodorus Siculus Epaminondas The various reading occasion'd either by addition or detraction of the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but by which of these two cannot easily be evinc'd Salmasius endevouring to prove the name to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 positively affirms that the Greeks never name an Archon without the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but that errour Peâ— avius confutes whose opinion is confirmed by the antient Marble at Arundell-house which addeth not the Preposition to the names of the Archons Neither is the opinion of Athenaeus much different who affirmes Plato was born the Year before Apollodorus being Archon who succeeded Euthydemus who was Archon the third Year of the eightie seventh Olympiad and that under Euphemus in the fourth year of the nintieth Olympiad he was fourteen years old For both Laertius and Athenaeus agree in the Year of his death viz. the first of the hundred and eight Olympiad when Theophilus the successor of Callimachus was Archon Athenaeus only differeth in this that computing eightie two Archons he attributes so many years to Plato's life whereas it is certain that he lived but exactly eightie one The day of his birth according to Apollodorus was the seventh of Thargelion at which time the Delians did celebrate the Feast of Apollo So likewise Florus cited by Plutarch who addes that the Priests and Prophets call Apollo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being born upon this seventh day whence perhaps was occasion'd the fiction that he was Son of Apollo which Plutarch esteemes no disparagement to his Deity In the first year of the eighty eight Olympiad the Neomenia of Hecatombaeon fell upon the second of August and upon those Hypotheses which we laid down formerly in the life of Socrates the Dominicall Letter for that Year being E. the seventh of Thargelion will according to the Julian accompt taken proleptically fall upon Friday the thirtieth of May according to the Gregorian upon Friday the ninth of Iune in the year of the Julian period 4286. This is according to the faith of the Historians with whom the Astrologers do not agree for Iulius Firmicus hath erected the Scheme of his Nativity after this manner If the Ascendent saith he shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein posited and if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then be placed in the seventh having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his signe and in the second the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the fifth house beholding the Ascendent with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aspect and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the ninth from the Ascendent in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Geniture renders a man Interpreter of Divine and heavenly Institutiâ—ns who endued with instructive speech and the power of divine wit and formed in a manner by a celestiall Instâ—â—tion by the true license of disputations shall arrive at all the secrets of Divinity Thus Firmicus whose Scheme agreeth not with the other Calculation as being betwixt the midst of February and of March during which time the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hence will appear the great Anachronisme of those who affirm that Plato went to Aegypt in the time of the Prophet Hieremie whom Eusebius placeth in the thirtie sixt Olympiad and heard him there Hieremie at the captivity of the Jewes into
some Athenian Prisoners Antipater invited him to sit down to supper whereto he answer'd in the words of Ulysses in Homer O Circe what man is there that is good Before his friends are freed can think of food Antipater was so pleased with the ingenious application of these Verses that he caused the Prisoners immediately to be set at liberty His clemency saith Aelian extended not only to men but often to irrationall creatures as once when a Sparrow pursued by a Hawk flew to his bosome he took it much pleased and hid it till the enemy were out of sight and when he thought it was out of fear and danger opening his bosome he let it go saying that he had not betrayed a supplyant Bion deriding him he refused to make any answer in his own defence for a Tragedy saith he being mocked by a Comedy needs not a reply To one who though he had neither learn'd Musick Geometry nor Astronomy yet desired to be his Disciple Away saith he you have not the handles of Philosophy Some affirm he said I teach not to card wool Antipater comming to Athens met and saluted him which salute he returned not untill he had made an end of the discourse he was about He was nothing proud he assigned a particular businesse to every part of the day a great part thereof to meditation one part to silence Whensoever he pierc'd a vessell of Wine it was sower'd before he spent it and the broaths that were made for him were often thrown away the next day whence proverbially was used the Cheese of Xenocrates of things that last well and are not easily consumed Holding his peace at some detractive discourse they asked him why he spoke not Because saith he I have sometimes repented of speaking but never of holding my peace Yet this man saith Laertius because he could not pay the sine imposed upon Aliens the Athenians sold Demetrius Phaleveus bought him contenting both parties the Athenians with their Tribute Xenocrates with his liberty CHAP. IV. His Writings HE left many Writings Verses Exhortations and Orations their Titles these Of Nature 6 Bookes Of Wisdome 6. Of Riches 1. Arias 1. Of Indefinite 1. Of a Child 1. Of Continence 1. Of Profitable 1. Of Free 1. Of Death 1. which some conceive to be the same with that which is extant amongst the spurious Platonick Dialogues under the title of Axiochus Of Voluntary 1. Of Friendship 2. Of equity 1. Of Contrary 2. Of Beatitude 2. Of writing 1. Of Memory 1. Of False 1. Callicles 1. Of Prudence 2. Oeconomick 1. Of Temperance 1. Of the power of Law 1. Of a Common-wealth 1. Of Sanctiâ—y 1. That vertue may be taught 1. Oâ— Eâ—s 1. Of Fate 1. Of passions 1. Of Lives 1. Of concord 1. Of Disciples 2. Of Iustice 1. Of Vertue 2. Of species 1. Of Pleasure 2. Of Life 1. Of Fortitude 1. Of One 1. Of Idaeas 1. Of Art 1. Of Gods 2. Of the Soul 2. Of Science 1. Politick 1. Of Scientificks 1. Of Philosophy 1. Of Parmenides opinions 1. Archidemus or of Iustice 1. Of Good 1. Of things which pertain to Intellect 8. Solutions concerning Speech 1. Physicall auscultation 6. A summary 1. Of Genus's and Species 1. Pythagorean assertions 1. Solutions 2. Divisions 8. Positions 3. Of Dialectick 14 15 16. Of Disciplines concerning distinctions 9. Concerning Raâ—iocination 9. Concerning Intelligence 4. Of Disciplines 6. Concerning Intelligence 2. Of Geometry 5. Commentaries 1. Contraries 1. Of Numbers 1. Theory of Arithmetick 1. Of Intervalls 1. Astrologick 6. Elements to Alexander concerning a Kingdom 4. To Arybas To Hephaestion Of Geometry 2. Verses 345. CHAP. V. His Death HE died in the 82 year of his age by a fall in the night into a Basin wherein he was drown'd probably in the first yeare of the 116. Olympiad for in that year Polemo his Successour took upon him the School Laertius saith there were six more of this name but mentions only five One very antient skilfull in Tacticks another of the same City and Family with this Philosopher Author of the Oration upon the death of Arsinoe the fourth saith he a Philosopher who writ in Elegiack verse but not happily perhaps the same who Suidas saith was nothing inferiour to this Xenocrates for Continence the fist a Statuary the â—ixt a writer of Songs as Aristoxenus affirm POLEMO POLEMO was an Athenian of OEa a Towne belonging to the Oenian Tribe his Father Philostratus who according to Antigonus Carystius was a Citizen of great account and kept a Chariot and horses Polemo in his youth was very intemperate and dissolute he frequently took a sum of money and hid it in a private corner of some street to supply his extravagances upon occasion Even in the Academy were found three oboli which he had hid under a Pillar upon the same account This wildnesse caused discontent betwixt him and his wife who thinking her self not wel used by him accused him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neither did he delight saith Valerius Maximus in Luxury onely but even in the infamy thereof On a time coming from a Feast not after the setting but rising of the Sun and seeing the door of Xenocrates the Philosopher open full of Wine smelling sweet of unguents crown'd with Garlands richly attir'd hee rush'd into his School which was filled with a croud of learned persons Nor contented with so rude an intrusion he â—ate down also intending to make sport at his excellent â—loquence and prudent precepts Hereupon all were offended as the affront deserved onely Xenocrates continuing the same Countenance and gesture fell from the discourse in which he was and began to speak of modesty and temperance with the gravity of whose discourse Polemo being reduced to repentance first took his Garland off from his head and flung it on the ground soon after he withdrew his arme within his Cloake Next hee laid aside the cheerfulnesse of that look which he had formerly when he affected feasting lastly he wholly devested himselfe of Luxury and being thus cured by the wholsom Medicine of one discourse he from an infamous Prodigall became a most excellent Philosopher being from that time forward so addicted to study that he surpass'd all the rest and succeeded Xenocrates in the government of the School which he began in the first year of the 116. Olympiad After he began to study Philosophy he had such a constant behaviour that he retain'd alwaies the same Countenance and kept the same tone in all his speech whereby Crantor was taken with him A mad dog having bit him by the Knee he alone of all the Company seem'd to be unconcern'd in it and a tumult happening thereupon in the City he asked without any disturbance what was the matter In the Theatres also he was nothing moved When Nicostratus the Poet sirnamed Clytemnestra recited somthing to him and Crates Crates was much taken therwith but hee
the most faithfull of all my friends will take it into your custody Approve your selfe iust to that extraordinary trust which I have reposed in you that it may appear I have made a right choice He died as Hermippus saith in a kinde of phrenzy after he had drunk much Wine 75 years old in the fourth year of the 134th Olympiad as may be conjectured from the succession of Lacydes in the School which began at that time The Athenians buried him with such solemnity as never any was before He took not any women into the house with him neither had he any children He flourish'd according to Apollodorus in the 120. Olympiad There were three more of this name one an antient Comick Poet the second an Elegiack Poet the third a Statuary LACYDES LAcydes succeeded Arcesilaus he was a Cyrenean his Father named Alexander a person of much gravity and had many Aemulators He was from his youth much given to study poor but pleasing to all company and of a delightfull conversation As concerning his managing his houshold affairs it is reported that when he took any thing out of the place where he kept his Provisions he locked the dore and threw the key in at a hole that none might steal ought from him which his servants observing frequently took it and opening the dore carried away what they thought good and then put it in the same place again in which fact they were never discover'd But the most pleasant part of the story is that as Numenius affirms he was thereby perswaded to be of the opinion of the middle Academicks that nothing is comprehended by sense arguing thus why should I think that sense can comprehend any thing certainly when I know that my own senses are so often deceived for when I go abroad I think that I see with my eies those things which I leave in my storehouse when I return I find none of them which could not be unlesse our senses were fallible and uncertain Lacydes upon the death of Arcesilaus being made master of the School in the 4th year of the 134. Olympiad taught in the Academy in the Gardens which were made by Attalus the King which from him were called the Lacydean Gardens Laertius and from him Suidas make him Institutor of the new Academy but erroneously He continued this charge 26 years at the end whereof he resigned it whilst he was yet alive to Telecles and Euander Phocians his Disciples in the second year of the 141. Olympiad Attalus sending for him to come to him returned him answer that Pictures make the best shew at a distance Studying Geometry in his old age one said to him is it now time he answered when if not now Athenaeus saith that Lacydes and Timon Philosophers being invited by one of their friends to an entertainment of two daies and desirous to suit themselves to the company drunk very freely Lacydâ—s went away first half drunk and perceiving Timon to 〈◊〉 away too said out of Homer To our great glory Hector we have slain The next day meeting Timon again at the same place and seeing him not able to take off his cups at once make a pause when he put it to his mouth the second time he said out of another place of Homer Those are unhappy who contest with me Aelian likewise numbers these two amongst the great drinkers and perhaps not unjustly for by excesse of Wine he fell into the palsie of which hee died in the second year of the 141. Olympiad He wrote Philosophicks and of Nature In the School he was succeeded as are said by EUANDER Euander by his Disciple EGESINUS whom Clemens Alexandrinus calleth Hegesiâ—aus of Pergamus Egesinus by CARNEADES CARNEADES CARNEADES CHAP. I. His Country Parents Time Masters CARNEADES successour of Egesinus was of Cyrene whence Cicero saith he was an acute person as being an African Hee was sonne of Epicomus or Philocomus Apollodorus as cited by Laertius affirmeth he died in the 162. Olympiad but there is a mistake in the Text for the words of Apollodorus relate doubtlesse to the time of his birth which upon that Authority we may affirm to have been in the first year of 162. Olympiad Florus cited by Plutarch addes he was born on the 7th day of Tharlegion at what time the Carnean Festivalls were celebrated at Cyrene whence perhaps he took his name This time falling after the Callippical period we shall compute it according to Petavius his method which although it be not exempt from question yet is better then that of Scaliger whose method is not reconcileable to Ptolomy's observations The fourth of the 164. Olympiad was Of the Julian period 4585. Epoche of the Callippick period 4383. Which subducted there remains 202. Subduct two perionods more 152. remains 50. The year propounded therefore is the 50th of the third period The Neomenia of Heâ—atombaeon Iune 26. which is the 177th day of the Iulian year the 7th of Thargelion according to Petavius at that time was the 302. of the Attick year To 177. adde 302. Summe 479. Subduct 365 Remains 114. The 114th day of the Julian year is the 24th of April on which fell the 7th of Thargelion which the Dominicall Letter being B. fell on Sunday Proleptically taken He was Disciple to Egesinus the Academick and learned Logick of Diogenes the Stoick whence in arguing he would many times say If I have concluded right the cause is my own if not right Diogenes must return the â—ina he had of me which was the price the Dialectick Philosophers took CHAP. II. How he constituted the new Academy HE succeeded Egesinus in the School and is by Cicero reckon'd the fourth from Arcesilaus who constituted the middle Academy introducing a suspension of Assent grounded upon the uncertainty of things Carneades constituted the new Academy maintaining the same kind of suspension with no lesse eagerness yet upon more moderate grounds for he held that the incomprehensibility of things proceeded not from the nature of the things themselves as Arcesilaus maintained for as much as every thing really existeth in it self and if any thing be affirmed or denied of another it is true or false as to the thing it self but the things themselves remaining firm we derive from them a Phantasia and similitude which for the most part like false messengers lie and deceive us To all true things there some false adjoined and those so like that there is no certain note of Judication and assent wherefore we cannot perceive any thing to be true But he was nothing lesse rigid as to the Academicall suspension for he denied that any thing could be perceived not so much as that very maxime Nothing can be perceived arguing thus All Phantasmes are of two kinds the first included the perceptible and imperceptible the second kind the probable and the improbable Those which are contrary to sense and evidence pertain to the former division
and pleasures they were carried on as it were with a kind of madnesse to Philosophy This pleased all the Romans who gladly beheld their Sonns instructed in Greek learning by such excellent men Onely Cato at the first noise of Admiration of the Greek Learning was troubled fearing the young men should apply themselves that way and so preferre the glory of eloquence before Action and Military discipline The fame of Philosophers encreasing in the City and C. Acilius whom Agellius and Macrobius call Caecilius an eminent person having at his own request been the Interpreter of their first Oration to the Senate Cato who was then very old under a fair pretence moved that these Philosophers might be sent out of the City and coming into the Senate-house blamed the Magistrates that they had so long suffered such Ambassadors to continue amongst them without any answer who were able to perswade them to any thing wherefore he first desired that something might be determined concerning their Embassie that they might be sent back again to their own Schools and instruct the Sons of Graecians and that the Romane youth might as they did before apply themselves to the observance of their own Laws and Magistrates This he did not out of anger to Carneades as some thought but out of an ambitious aemulation of the Greek humanity and Literature CHAP. IV. His Vertues and Apophthegmes HE was a person infinitely industrious lesse conversant in Physick then Ethick and so studious that he neglected to cut his hair and nailes Valerius Maximus saith hee was so studious that when he lay down at meales his thoughts were so fixt that he forgot to put his hand to the Table and that Melissa who lived with him as a wife was fain to put him in mind thereof and help him He was so eâ—inent for Philosophy that the Oratours themselves would many times break up their schools and come and hear him He had a great and loud-voice whereupon the Gymnasiarch sent to him not to speak so loud whereto he answering send me the measure by which I should speak the other wisely and appositely repli'd you have a measure your Hearers He was sharply invective and in argument almost invincible He avoided feasting out of the reason we mentioned his great studiousnesse One named Mentor a Bythinian as Phavorinus saith who had endeavoured to seduce a Mistris that he kept coming into the school he presently jeasted at him in turning these words of Homer Hither comes one oppress'd with hoary years Like Mentor in his voice and looks appears Who from the School I charge you turn away The other rising up reply'd He thus proclaim'd the rest did streight obey Being to dispute with Chrysippus he purg'd himself by white Hellebore to sharpen his wit lest any corrupt humours in his stomach might oppresse the vigour and constancy of his mind He compared Dialectick to the fish Polypus which when its claws grow long bites them off so Logicians growing subtle confute their own assertions He advised men in their greatest prosperity to be mindfull of a change for that which is unexpected is most grievous He said the Sons of rich men and Kings learn nothing well but Riding for their Masters flatter them they who contest with them willingly yield to them but a horse considers not whether a private man or a Prince a poor man or a rich bee on his back but if he cannot rule him he throws his Rider He seemed to be extreamly averse from death whence he often said the same Nature which hath put us together will dissolve us and hearing that Antipater dyed by drinking poison he was a litle animated by his constancy in death and said then give me too they asking what VVine saith he In the midst of the night he was struck blind and knew not of it but waking bid his servant bring a light the servant did so telling him he had brought one then said he read you CHAP. V. His Death and Writings HE lived according to Laertius 85. years or according to Cicecero 90. The words of Apollodorus that he died in the fourth year of the 162d Olympiad which falleth upon the 626th year from the building of Rome may easily be evinced to be false by the greatest part of the Circumstances of his life particularly from this that Antonius in Cicero saith when hee went ProConsull into Asia he found Carneades the Academick at Athens who opposed all in dispute according to the manner of his Sect. The year of Antonius's Pro-Consulship was the 652. year from the building of Rome But this account as we said before is to be applyed to the time of his birth from which the 85th falleth upon the first year of the 184th Olympiad the 90th upon the 2d of the 185th Laertius saith at his death there was a great Eclipse of the Moon which some interpreted to proceed from a Sympathy with his losse Upon this Eclipse I conceive Petavius grounded his computation of Carneades's death when he saith it was upon the first year of the 163. Olympiad May 2. â—er 2. hora. 5. 46. at Athens But there being a mistake of the year there is consequently a greater in the account of the feria and hour Carneades as Cicero saith wrote four Books of Suspension of Assent He wrote likewise Epistles to Ariarathes King of Cappadocia the only monument left behind him extant in Laertius's time Whatsoever else went under his name Laerâ—ius saith was written by his Disciples of whom hee had many the most eminent Clitomachus There are remembred two more of this name one a Philosopher Disciple to Anaxagoras mentioned by Suidas the other an Epigrammatick Poet mentioned by Laertius CLITOMACHVS CLITOMACHUS was a Carthaginian son of Diognetus He was first called Asdrubal as Plutarch and Laertius affirm and profess'd Philosophy in his own Country and native Language Being forty years old he went to Athens and heard Carneades who being much taken with his industry instructed and exercised him in Philosophy With Carneades Cicero saith he lived untill he was old and succeeded him in the School and chiefly illustrated his Doctrines by his writings the number of which bookes being above foure hundred were a sufficient testimony of his industry and that he had no lesse of wit then Carneades of eloquence He was well vers'd in three Sects the Academick Peripatetick and Stoick Of his books are remembered by Cicero one of Consolation to his captive Country-men Carthage being then subdued by the Romans another to Caius Lucilius the Poet wherein he explained and defended the Academick suspension of Assent having written before of the same things to L. Censorinus who was Consul with M. Manilius the summe of which discourse was this The Academicks hold there are such dissimilitudes of things that some seem probable others on the contrary But this is not ground enough to say that some things may be
but more gain For your sake to dy would please Toyle and torments were but ease You direct men in pursuit Of immortall sacred fruit Richer far then gold refin'd Soft as sleep as parents kinde Great Alcides for your sake Labours vast did undertake Leda's valiant twins made known More your glories then their own Ajax and Achilles too Only dy'd for love of you Ah! for you Atarna's pride Hermias untimely dy'd But his name we will revive That our Muse shal keep alive Paying hospitable Jove Pious thanks for a friends love There wanted not those who cast many aspersions and calumnies upon this Vertuous friendship some affirm'd that Hermias lov'd Aristotle inordinately an imputation not well suiting with an Eunuch and that for this Reason he gave him Pythais to wife whom Suidas and the Greek Etymologist affirm to have been his Daughter either by Nature or Adoption Demetrius Magnesius his Neece Aristippus his Concubine so little do they agree in their relation They adde that Aristotle was so passionately in Love with her that he sacrificed to her after the same manner as the Athenians to Ceres at Eleusis This Laertius relates as done whilst she was alive But Lyco first Author of this calumny that it was after her death Moreover that Aristotle in a thankfull acknowledgement of his Bounty wrote a Paean in praise of Hermias meaning the Hymn last mentioned which Athenaeus proveth against the calumniations of Demophilus not to be a sacred hymne or Paean but a Scolion or Festivall Song Hence Theocritus the Chian derides him in this Epigram To the slave Eunuch who Atarne swai'd An empty tombe empty Aristotle made Who from the Academy did retire To wallow in vain pleasures faithless mire In answer to these calumnies first raised by Lyco dispersed further by Aristippus and continued by those that maligne the memory of Aristotle Apellieo writ certain Books wherein he accurately confutes those who durst in this manner impudently blaspheme such are his words the name of Aristotle so much prejudice and malice being in the accusation as might easily argue the falsenesse thereof Upon the death of Hermias Aristotle and with Xenocrates fled from Atarna to Mitylene as Apollodorus and Dionysius Halicarnassaeus affirm in the fourth year of the 108. Olympiad Eubulus being Archon CHAP. V. How he lived with Philip and Alexander ABout this time Philip King of Macedonia Father of Alexander taking care for the Education of his Son now growing towards mans estate and unwilling saith Plutarch to commit his Education to Professors of Musick or any other of the liberall Sciences as knowing him fit for higher designes sent to Aristotle the most famous and learned of Philosophers to come and instruct him Agellius recites his Epistle which was to this effect Philip to Aristotle health KNow that I have a Son I render the Gods many thanks not so much for his birth as that he was born in your time for I hope that being educated and instructed by you he will become worthy both of us and the Kingdom which he shall inherit Aristotle at this request of Philip went to Macedonia to him in the 4th year of the 108. Olympiad as Apollodorus and Dioâ—ystus Halicarnassaeus affirm at what time Alexander was fifteen yeares old He lived there infinitely esteem'd and beloved of Philip and Olympia his Wife Alexander's Mother They caused his Statue to be made and set up in honour of him Philip had a kindnesse to particular for him that he allo'wd him in manner an equal share in the Government of the Kingdom which interest Ammonius saith he employed to the advantage as well of private persons as of the publick as appeareth saith the Latine Interpreter of his life by his Epistles to Philip. Plutarch affirmâ—s that Philip as a recompence to Aristotle reedified the Town where hee was born Stagira which he had before laid wast He likewise assign'd him a School and study near Mieza a Town of Macedonia not far from thence where unto this day saith Pluâ—arch they shew the stony seats and shady walks of Aristotle He instructed Alexander in the deepest parts of Learning not only in Ethick and Politicks but his most reserved and solid Doctrines call'd Acroatick and Epoptick never communicated to the Vulgar That he taught him likewise the Art of Medicine Plutarch argueth for as much as Alexander was not only exceedingly delighted with the Theory thereof but practised it successfully upon many of his friends to whom he prescribed Receipts and diets as appeareth saith he by his Epistle Perceiving Alexander to be much taken with Homer's Iliads as conceiving and calling it the bestâ—â—stitution of military Vertue he took much pains in correcting and restoring the text and then gave it to Alexander which copy â—he infinitely prised He writ a Book to Alexander intituled Of a Kingdom mentioned by Laertius and Ammonius wherein he instructed him how to rule So much did he incline the mind of Alexander to do goodâ— that he used to say if any day pass'd wherein he had not conferred some benefit I have not reign'd to day Alexander so much affected him that he professed he admired and loved him no lesse then his Father because his Father he said only gave him being but Aristotle well-being The love which Philip and Alexander bore him was so great that Theocritus the Chian cast the same aspersion upon it as he did on his friendship with Hermias In the first year of the 111th Olympiad Pythodorus being Archon Philip dyed and was succeeded by his Son Alexander whose active spirit soon after his coming to the Crown designed an expedition against the King of Persia. Hereupon Aristotle having now lived with Alexander eight years though Justine saith but five which some interpret of the time before Philips death but not without some violence for that was above seven preferring the quiet of a Contemplative life before the troubles of War took leave of him returned to Athens leaving in his room Callisthenes an Olynthian his Kinsman Son of his Cozen Hero and Disciple whom before his departure observing to speak with too much liberty and obstinacy to the King he reproved in these words Son if thou thus employ thy tongue Thy thread of life cannot be long And so it came to passe not long after upon this occasion Hermolaus Son of Sopolis a youth of a noble Family that studied Philosophy under Callisthenes hunting the Wild Bore with Alexander prevented the King by casting his dart first at him for which he was by the Kings command punished with many stripes Troubled at the ignominy thereof he conspired with Sostratus Antipater and some other companions of his to murther Alexander which treason being discovered by Epimenes one of the Conspirators they were all put to death Aristobulus and Ptolemaeus Son of Lagus affirms they accused Callisthenes as him who instigated them to this attempt Hereupon Callisthenes was
put into an iron Cage and so carried up and down in a miserable fordid condition and at last as Laertius relates though others otherwise thrown to Lyons and devoured CHAP. VI. His School and manner of Teaching THus Aristotle having lived eight years with Alexander returned to Athens as Apollodorus and Dionysius Halicarnassaeus affirm in the second year of the hundred and eleventh Olympiad Pythodorus being Archon where he found Xenocrates teaching in the Academy which place was resigned unto him by Speusippus in the fourth year of the hundred and ninth Olympiad Hence it appeareth that Hermippus erreth in affirming that Xenocrates took upon him the School of Plato at what time Aristotle was sent by the Athenians on an Embassy to Philip. For as Patricius hath observed it can no way agree in time it being certain as Laertius attests that Speusippus succeeded Plato in the School in the first year of the hundred and eight Olympiad immediately upon Plato's death and continued therein eight years that is to the end of the hundred and ninth Olympiad in the second year of which Olympiad Aristotle as we said went to Philip not on an Embassy but upon his invitation to educate Alexander Neither is the Author of Aristotles life lesse mistaken who saith that upon the death of Speusippus the Athenians sent to Aristotle and that both of them Aristotle and Xenocrates took upon them Plato's School Xenocrates in the Academy Aristotle in the Lyceum But this errour is easily detected by the same computation for at the time of Speâ—sippus's death Aristotle was with Alexander nor did he leave him untill six years after all which time Xenocrates profess'd Philosophy in the Academy The Academy being prepossess'd by Xenocrates Aristotle made choice of the Lyceum a place in the suburbs of Athens built by Pericles for the exercising of Souldiers Here he taught and discoursed of Philosophy to such as came to him walking constantly every day till the houre of anointing which the Greeks usually did before meals whence he and his followers are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from walking Peripateticks Others say he was called Perâ—paâ—etâ—ck from walking with Alexander newly recovered of a sicknesse in which manner he used to discourse of Philosophy with him The number of his auditors encreasing very much he gave over walking and taught sitting saying Now to be silent most disgracefull were And see Xenocrates possesse the chair Though Cicero and Quintilian affirm he used this verse against Isocrates in emulation of whom he taught Rhetorick to his Disciples every morning So many Disciples resorted to him that he made Lawes in his School as Xenocrates did in the Aâ—ademy creating Archons that ruled ten daies The discourse and doctrine which he delivered to his Disciples was of two kinds One he called Exoterick the other Acroatick Exoterick were those which conduced to Rhetorick meditation nice disputes and the knowledge of civill things Acroatick those in which more remote and subtile Philosophy was handled and such things as pertain to the contemplation of nature and Dialectick disceptations Acroatick Discipline he taught in the Lyceum in the morning not admitting every one to come and hear them but those only of whose wit and principles of Learning and diligence in study he had before made tryall His Exoterick Lectures were in the afternoon and evenings these he communicated to all young men without any distinction calling the latter his evening walk the former his morning walk CHAP. VII His Philosophy IN Philosophy saith Ammonius he seemeth to have done more then Man for there is not any part of Philosophy whereof he treated but he doth it most accurately and many things he himselfe such was his sagacity and acutenesse finding out compleated and finished In Logick it was his invention that he separated the precepts of Disputation from the things themselves of which we dispute and taught the manner and reason of disputation For they who went before though they could demonstrate yet they knew not how to make a demonstration as they who cannot make shooes but only wear them Alexander Aphrodisaeus affirmes that he first reduced Syllogismes to Mood and Figure Philoponus that he invented all Dialectick Method whence Theodorus calls him both inventer and perfecter of Logick which he indeed in a manner challengeth but modestly to himselfe in the last Chapter of his Elenchs affirming nothing had been done in that kinde before but what the Eristicks and Sophists taught As for the Categories the invention whereof some ascribe to the Pythagoreans it is much more probable that they were wholly his own for those books entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the name of Archytas from which some conceive Aristotle to have borrowed much the particulars whereof are instanced by Patricius Theâ—istius affirmes to have been written not by the Pythagorean neither hath Laertius made mention of any writings of his for the Pythagoreans at that time wrote but little the first that wrote any thing being Philolaus but by some Peâ—ipatetick who thought his work might passe with greater credit if published in the name of so antient a Philosopher In Physick the â—ift essence whereof celestiall bodies consist distinct from the foure Elements is generally ascribed to his invention only Simplicius citeth the authority of Xenocrates in his book of the life of Plato that Plato constituted five simple bodies Heaven and the foure Elements asserting they differ no lesse in nature then in figure for which reason he assigned the figure of a Dodecaedron to Heaven differing from the figure of the foure Elements But these as the learned Nunnesius observes seem to be rather Symbolicall and Pythagoricall then the true meaning of Plato For Plato in his Timaeus expressely averrs that the Heavens are of their own nature dissolute but by the divine Will are kept together as it were by a Tye from being dissolved Xenarchus a Philosopher wrote against the fift Essence introduced by Aristotle whom Alexander Aphrodisaeus exactly answereth Theodorus calleth Aristotle the Perfecter of Physick adding â—that only his writings upon that subject were approved by following ages who rejected whatsoever others had written in the same kinde as appeareth by their losse What Epicure and others have objected against him as a fault that he enquired with such diligence into the minute and meanest things of nature is a sufficient testimony of his excellence and exactnesse in this study In Ethick whereas Polyaenus placed Felicity in externall goods Plato in those of the soule only Aristotle placed it chiefly in the soul but affirmed it to be deâ—â—led and straighâ—ned if it want exteriour goods properly using these terms For those things which are deâ—iled have the same beauty within but their superficies only is hidden and those which are straightned have the same reall magnitude In Metaphysick which he calleth First-Philosophy and Wisdome and as the more antient Philosophers before him
rest of his Disciples He was likewise so quick of apprehension that what Plato had said of Aristotle and Xenocrates Aristotle apply'd to him and Callisthenes Theophrastus was acute to admiration ready to apprehend every thing that he taught Callisthenes was dull so that one needed a bridle the other a spur CHAP. II. His Profession of Philosophy and Disciples ARistotle retiring to Chalâ—is in the 2d year of the 114th Olympiad being importuned by his Disciples to appoint a successour made choice of Theophrastus as hath been already related in the life of Aristotle who thereupon undertook the government of the School and Aristotle dying lived in his Garden â—Demetrius Phalerius cohabiting with him This time wherein Theophrastus flourished is reckoned by Pliny to be about the 440th year from the building of Rome 390 years as Salmasius rightly reads before that time wherein Pliny wrote saith he went at certain houres to the School neatly dressed and there sitting down discoursed in such manner that he omitted no gesture suitable to the argument whereupon he treated so that once to expresse a Glutton he licked his lips In the fourth year of the 118th Olympiad Xenippus being Archon Sophocles son of Amphiclides procured a Law to be made forbidding all Philosophers to keep publick Schooles unlesse such only as the Senate and people should think fit to license if any did otherwise he should be put to death By this decree saith Athenaeus he banished all the Philosophers out of the City amongst the rest Theophrastus who the year following returned when as Philo a Disciple of Aristotle accused Sophocles for having done contrary to Law Whereupon the Athenians revers'd the decree â—ined Sophocles five Talents and called home the Philosophers by which means Theophrastus returning was reinstated in the School Laertius saith there came to hear him 2000 Disciples Suidas saith if there be no mistake in the number 4470. of whom were Strato his Successor Demetrius Phalereus Nichomachus son of Aristotle whom Aristippus saith he much affected Erasistratus the Physician as some affirme and Menander the Comick Poet. CHAP. III. His Vertues and Apophthegmes HE was exceeding learned and studious as Pamphila affirmeth He was very liberall in conferring benefits and a great cherisher of learning He made collections of mony for the conventions of Philosophers not for luxury but for temperance and learned discourses He twice freed his Country being under the oppression of Tyrants Cassander son of Antipaâ—er much esteemed him and Ptolomy the first wrote Letters to him He was so much honoured by the Athenians that Agnonides accusing him of Impiety very hardly escaped from being fined himselfe Of his Apophthegmes are remembered these He said it is more safe trusting to an unbridled horse then intemperate speech To a young man at a Feast silent If you hold your peace saith he because you are foolish then you are wise but if you are wise you do foolishly in holding your peace He used to say of all things that are spent time is the most precious Being demanded as Aristo saith what he thought of Demosthenes he answer'd he is worthy of this City of Demades he is above the City To Philip Son of Cassander he said I wonder your eyes do not make musick the pipe of your nose coming so directly upon them To prove that riches are not to be lov'd and admir'd hee instanced Callias a rich Athenian and Ismenias a Theban these saith he use the same things as Socrates and Epaminondas He said we must not love strangers to the end we may make tryall of them but make tryall of them to the end we may love them He said the Soul paid a dear rent for her habitation in the body He said Falshood raised from Calumny and Envy endureth a little while but soon perisheth Seeing a young man blush be of good comfort saith he that is the complexion of Vertue He used to say stand in awe of thy self and thou shalt not be ashamed before other He said the good need but few Laws for things are not accommodated to Laws but Laws to things The envious are more unhappy then others in this respect that they are troubled not only at their misfortunes but also at the good fortunes of others Being demanded what preserved humane life he said beneficence reward and punishment He said Honours are to be acquired not by conversation and favour but by action Being demanded what Love is he answered the passion of an idle soul. He said a woman ought not to be seen her self nor behold others richly attired for both are inticements to dishonesty He said Love is an excessive desire of somthing irrational the entrance thereof easie the disingagement difficult CHAP. IV. His Will and Death His Will is thus delivered by Laertius BE all well but if any thing happen otherwise thus we give order All those goods which belong to the House I bequeath to Melantes and Pancreon Sonnes of Leo Those which are set apart for Hipparchus I will be thus disposed First that the study and Ornaments belonging thereunto be perfected and if any thing may be added more to beautifie them that it be done Next that the statue of Aristotle be set up in the Temple and the other Donaries which were before in the Temple Moreover that the little walk which is near the School be built new not worse then it was before and that the Maps of the World be placed in the lower Walk That an Altar likewise be built wanting nothing of perfection and splendor I will that the statue of Nicomachus as big as the life be finished it is in Praxitele's hands let him go on with it Let it be placed wheresoever they shall think good who have the disposall of the rest and are named in my Will Thus much for the Temple and Donaries My Land at Stagira I bequeath to Callinus all my Books to Neleus The Garden and Walk and all the houses belonging to the Garden I bequeath to my Friends hereafter named that they may exercise themselves and study Philosophy therein for men cannot alwaies be abroad But with condition that they do not alienate it nor pretend any propriety thereto but esteem it a thing sacred in common possession making use of all things therein as becometh just and loving Friends The persons to whom I wil that this be in common are Hipparchus Neleus Strato Callinus Demotimus Demaratus Callisthenes Melantes Pancreon and Nicippus Let also Aristotle sonne of Midias and Pythias if he desire to study Philosophy partake likewise of the same priviledge and let the most antient of the Overseers take great care of him that he be instructed as well as is possible in Philosophy Let us be buried in that part of the Garden which they shall think most convenient not erecting a Monument
apple will not admit Transplantation so whatsoever he said was to be heard only from himself For this sweetnesse of discourse some added the letter â— to his name calling him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which implyeth sweetnesse so Plutarch In stile he was very different from himself Upon those who were sorry they had not learned when time was and wished it might be recalled he jested thus He said that they who endeavoured to make amends by a late penitence for their past negligence were conscious of the impossibility of their wishes and of those that sought to bring it to passe he said they had lost all reason in applying the nature of a straight line to a crooked ruler or beholding their face in troubled water or a confused mirrour He said that to the wreath of publick games in the Forum many aspired to the Olympick few or none He many times by his Counsell much advantaged the Athenians In his garments he affected neatnesse so much that as Hermippus saith he wore an upper garment very precious and fine He was very expert in all exercises active and well made for a Wrestler being thin-ear'd and well set as Antigonus Caryslius affirmeth Whence in his own Country he practised the Elean Games and played at Ball. He was intimate with Eumenus and Attalus beyond all men who supply'd him with many things Antiochus also would have had him lived with him but could not get him He was so great an enemy to Hieronymus the Peripatetick that upon a solemn day of which already in the life of Arcesilaus he only forbore to come to him He compared Orators to Frogs these saith he croak in the water those by the water of an houre-glasse He was Master of the School forty years succeeding Strato in the hundred twenty seventh Olympiad as he had given order by his Will CHAP. II. His Will and Death Laertius produceth a Will of his to this effect THVS I dispose of my estate if I shall not recover of this sicknesse All that is in my house I bequeath to the Brethren Astyanax and Lyco out of which is to be paid whatsoever I owe at Athens to any man as also the charges of my Funerall and Exequies What is in the City and Aegina I bestow upon Lyco because he is of our name and hath lived long with us to our great content as one that deserved the place of a Son The Peripatum I leave to those friends that will make use of it as Bulo Callinus Aristo Amphio Lyco Pytho Aristomachus Heraclius Lycomedes Lyco my Kinsman Let them put him in that place who they conceive will persevere in it and discharge it best which let the rest of my friends confirm for my sake and the places My Funerall and the burning of my Body be so ordered by Bulo and Callinus that it be not prodigall nor niggardly Out of my â—state at Aegina let Lyco after my death give to the young men as much Oyle as shall serve their turnes that hereby the memory of me and him that honours me may be justly preserved Let them set up my Statue and choose a fit place for the setting up of it wherein let Diophantus and Heraclides son of Demetrius assist them Out of my Rents in the City let Lyco pay all that I have named after his departure in the next place let Buâ—o and Callinus and the expenses of my funerall be discharged Let that houshold stuffe be taken away which I have left as common betwixt them Let likewise the Physicians Pasithemis and Midas be honoured and rewarded for their care of me and for their skill To the son of Callinus I leave a couple of Thericlean Pots and to his Wife a couple of Goblets and a fine Carpet and a shaggy Carpet and a Coverlet and two Couch beds the best that are left that we may not seem unmindfull of their due respect towards us As for those that served me I order thus Demetrius who hath been long a Free man I forgive the price of his redemption and bestow upon him five Minae and a Cloak and a Coat and as having undergone many labours with me let him be decently supplyed with necessaries Crito the Chalcidonian I forgive the price of his redemption and bestow further on him foure Minae Micrus also I manumit whom let Lyco bring up and six years hence let him instruct him In like manner I manumit Chares whom let Lyco also bring up I give him two Minae and my bookes that have been published The rest that have not been published let them be given to Callinus and let him take diligent care for the publishing of them To Syrus the Free-man I give foure Minae and Menodora and if he owe me any thing I forgive it him To Hilara I give five Minae a shaggy Câ—verlet two Couch-beds a Carpet and which bed he shall choose I manumit likewise the Mother of Micrus and Noemones and Dion and Theon and Euphranor and Hermias as also Agatho after he hath served two years more as also Ophelio and Possidonius the bearers of my Litter after they have served four years more I will that they be set at liberty I give moreover to Demetrius Crito and Syrus to each a Bed and Coverlet such as Lyco shall think sit This I bestow on them for as much as they have express'd themselves faithfull in the performance of such things as were committed to their charge As for my buriall whether Lyco will have it here or at home let it be as he will for I perswade my selfe he will do what is fitting no lesse then if I had done it my selfe When he shall have faithfully performed thesâ— things let the bequests of my Will remain firm Witnesses Callinus an Hermioneâ—n Aristo the Chian Euphronius a Poeaniean Thus saith Laertius having wisely managed all things appertaining to Learning and Humanity his prudence and diligence extended even to the making of his Will so that in that respect also he deserveth studiously to be imitated He died 74 years old of the Gout There were foure of this name The first a Pythagorâ—an mentioned in the life of Aristotle The second this Peripatetick The third an Epick Poet. The fourth an Epigrammatick Poet. ARISTO ARisto succeeded Lyco He was of the Island Ceos famous for a Law that whosoever exceeded 60. years of age should be put to death that there might be no want of Provision for those that were more serviceable In former time saith Strabo it had four Citties now there remain but two Iulis and Carthaea into which the rest were transferr'd Poecessa into Carthaea Caressus into Iulis In Iulis Aristo was born He was an Auditor of Lyco and succeeded him in the Government of the Peripatetick School as Cicero Plutarch and Clemens Alexandrinus affirm He was a great imitator of Bion the Boristenite Cicero saith hee was neat and elegant He wrote a Treatise of Nilus cited by Strabo and Amatory
with Hellebor or by starving so to punish those surâ—eits which we have incurred for a short pleasure He said Whosoever seareth others is a slave though he know it not himselfe He said No covetous man can be a good man or a King or a freeman Being demanded what a feast is he answered The occasion of surfeits He said We ought to aim at such pleasures as follow labour not at those which go before labour He said Common Executioners are better then Tyrants those pâ—t only guilty men to death Tyrants the innocent He said We ought to wish our enemies all good things but Fortitude for that they possesse would fall into the hands of the Victor not the Owner Him that contradicteth he said he said we must not again contradict but instruct for a mad-man is not cured by anothers growing mad also He said A man should alwaies have in readinesse his wits or a rope Seeing the Thebans much exalted with their successe at the Luctrian sight he said They were like boyes that triumph when they have beaten the. Masters To some that commended a Piper But saith he he is an ill man for else he would never have been so good a Piper CHAP. IV. His Writings OF his Bookes saith Laertius there are ten Tomes The first containeth these Of speech or of Characters Ajax of the speech of Ajax Ulysses or of Ulysses An apology for Orestes Of Lawyers Isographe or Desias or Isocrates Against Isocrates ' s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The second Tome Of the Nature of Animals Of Procreation of children or of Marriage Brotick Of Sophists Physiognomick Of Iustice and Fortitude Protreptick 1 2 3 Of Theognis The third Tome Of Good Of Fortitude Of Law or of Policy Of Law or of Fair and Iust. Of Freedom and Servitude Of Faith Of a Guardian or of Trusting Of Victory Oeconomick The fourth Tome Cyrus Hercules the Greater or of Strength The fift Tome Cyrus or of a Kingdom Aspasia The sixt Tome Truth Of Dissertation Anti-logick Sathon of Contradiction 3. Of Dialectick The seventh Tome Of Discipline or of names 5. Of dying Of Life and Death Of things after death Of the use of names or Eristick Of Interrogation and answer Of Opinion and Science 4. Of Nature 2. Interrogation concerning Nature 2. Opinions or the Eristick Problems concerning Learning The eighth Tome Of Musick Of Interpreters Of Homer Of Injustice and impiety Of Chalcas Of the spie Of Pleasure The ninth Tome Of the Odysseis Of Minerva's wand or of Telemachus Helena and Penelope Of Proteus The Cyclops or of Ulysses Of the use of Wine or of Drunkenesse or of the Cyclops Of Circe Of Amphiaraus Of Ulysses and Penelope Of the Dog The tenth Tome Hercules or Midas Hercules or of Prudence or of strength The Master or Lover The Masters or spies Menexenus or of Ruling Alcibiades Archelaus or of a Kingdom These saith Laertius were his writings the great number whereof Timon derides calling him an ingenious Trifler There is also among the Socratick Epistles one under his name to this effect Antisthenes to Aristippus IT is not the part of a Philosopher to live with Tyrants and to wast time at Sicilian Feasts but rather to be content with a little in his own Country but you esteem it the greatest excellence of a Vertuous person to be able to acquire much wealth and to have powerfull friends Riches are not good neither if they were in themselves good are they such being thus obtained nor can a multitude of unlearned persons especially Tyrants be true friends Wherefore I would coâ—nsell you to leave Syracuse and Sicily but if as some report you are in love with Pleasure and aim at such things as beseem not wise persons go to Anticyra and cure your self by drinking Hellebore for that is much better for you then the Wine of Dionysius this causeth madnesse that asswageth it So that as health and discretion differ from sicknesse and â—olly so much shall you be better then you are in these things which you now enjoy Farewell The Answer to this Epistle see in the life of Aristippus CHAP. V. His Death HE died saith Laertius of sicknesse As he lay on his death-bed Diogenes came to him and asked him if he wanted a friend Another time he came to him with a dagger Antisthenes crying out who will free me from this pain he shewed him the dagger saying This shall Antisthenes reply'd I say from my pain not from my life for he bore his sicknesse somwhat impatiently through love of life Theopompus commends him above all the Disciples of Socrates as being of such acute and sweet discourse that he could lead any man to what he would There were three more of this name one a Heraclitean Philosopher the second of Ephesus the third of Rhodes a Historian DIOGENES CHAP. I. His Country Parents Time Banishment DIOGENES was of Sinopis a City of Pontus his Father named Icesius or as others Icetes by profession a mony-changer He was born as appears by computation from his death which was in the 90 t year of his age in the first year of the 114 t Olympiad Hegesias being Archon about the third year of the 91st Olympiad Suidas saith he was first called Cleon. Diocles saith his Father trading publickly in exchange of mony was surprised coining false mony and thereupon fled But Eubulides saith Diogenes himselfe did it and fled together with his Father even Diogenes in his Podalus acknowledgeth as much Some affirme that being made overseer he was perswaded by the work-men to go to Delphi or Delus the Country of Apollo to enquire of the Oracle if he should do that whereto he was advised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is of ambiguous signification implying to alter the course of life and to coine false mony The Oracle assented Diogenes not understanding it in the Civill sense betook himselfe to coyning and being taken in the act was banished or as others say fled for fear Some affirme he adulterated the mony he received from his Father for which the Father was cast in prison and there dyed the Son fled and coming to Delphi enquired of the Oracle by what means he should become eminent whereupon he received that answer When he left his Country one of his servants followed him named Manes who not enduring his conversation ran away from him some perswaded Diogenes to enquire after him who answer'd Were it not a shame since Manes doth not need Diogenes that Diogenes should need Manes The fellow wandring up and down came at last to Delphi where he was torn in pieces by doggs DIOGENES CHAP. II. How he lived at Athens COming to Athens saith Laertius he apply'd himselfe to Antisthenes following the Cynicall Philosophy instituted by him Antisthenes having invited many to hear him and but few coming at last in anger would not suffer any to come to him and therefore bad Diogenes be
any thing of value but with chaffe and straw He said we ought not to enquire whether men belonged to great Cities but whether they deserved a great City Seeing a friend of his too much taken up with the businesse of his Land unlesse you lose your Land saith hee it will lose you He said a man must live not only to eat and drink but to use this life for the obtaining of a happy life Antigonus being full of wine went to visit him and kissing and embracing him as a drunken man bad him demand whatsoever he would swearing that he would give it him Zeno answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at once reproving his vice and taking care of his health Stretching out the fingers of his right hand he said such is phantasie then contracting them a little such is assent then closing them quite and shutting his fist such is comprehension then putting to it his left hand and shutting it close and hard such saith he is science of which none is capable but a wise man CHAP. VI. His Death ZEno having continued according to Apollonius Master of his School fifty eight years and attained to the ninety eighth of his age by the computation of Laertius and Lucian for that he lived but seventy two years as some affirm upon the testimony of Persaeus seems to be a mistake seeing that his Letter to Antigonus was written in his 80â—â— year in all which time he was never molested by any sicknesse died upon this occasion Going out of the School he fell and broke his finger whereupon striking the Ground with his hand he said as Nioâ—e in the Tragedy I come why do you call me or as others why do you drive me and going out some say he immediately strangled himself others that by little and little he famish'd himself When the news of his death came to Antigâ—nus he broke forth into these words What a spectacle have I lost and being demanded why he so much admired him because said he though I best owed many great things upon him he was never therewith exalted nor dejected He sent immediately Thraso on Embassie to the Athenians requesting that they would build him a Tomb in the Ceramick which the Athenians performed honouring him with this Decree A DECREE ARrhenides being Archon the Tribe of Acamantis having the first place in the Phrytanaeâ—â—m the tenth day of Maimacterion the three and twentieth of the sitting of the Phrytanaeum the Congregation of Presidents decreed thus Hippo Son of Cratistoteles a Xympetean and the rest of the Presidents Thraso Son of Thraso an Anacaean declared Whereas Zeno Son of Mnaseas a Cittiean hath professed Philosophy many years in this City and in all other things performed the office of a good man encouraging those young men who applyed themselves to him to Vertue and Temperance leading himself a life suitable to the Doctrine which he professed a Pattern to the best to imitate The People have thought fit good Fortune go along with it to do honour to Zeno Son of Mnaseas the Cittiean and to crown him with a Crown of Gold according to the Law in reward of his Vertue and Temperance and to build a Tomb for him publickly in the Ceramick For the making of which Crown and building of the Tomb the People shall make choice of five men of the Athenians to take charge thereof This Decree the Scribe of the People shall write upon two Pillars one whereof shall be placed in the Academy the other in the Lyceum The charge of the Pillars he who is Overseer of the Publick works shall undertake to defray by way of rate that all may know the Athenian People honour good men both alive and dead To take care of the building are appointed Thraso an Anacaean Philocles a Pyrean Phaedrus an Anaphistian Medon an Acarnean Micythus a Sympalletean The Athenians caused likewise his Satue in Brasse to be set up as did also the Cittieans his Countrymen Antipater the Sidonian bestow'd this Epitaph upon him Here Zeno lies who tall Olympus sâ—al'd Not heaping Pelion on Ossa's head Nor by Herculean labours so prevail'd But found out Vertue 's path which thither led Another Epigram was written upon him by Xenodotus the Stoick disciple of Diogenes Zeno thy years to hoary age were spent Not with vain riches but with self-content A stout and constant Sect deriv'd from thee The Mother of nought-dreading liberty Phoenicia whence thou issuedst who can slight Thence Cadmus too who first taught Greece to write CHAP. VII His Person and Vertues AS concerning his Person Timotheus saith he was wry-neck'd Apollonius Tyrius that he was lean tall and of a swarthy complexion whence stil'd by some as Chrysippus the Aegyptian sprigge His look was sad grave severe and frowning his constitution not strong for which reason Persaeus saith he forbore to feast much His ordinary diet consisted in raw food especially Figgs both new and dryed bread and hony which he eate moderately and a little sweet Wine His continence was such that when Persaeus who cohabited with him brought a she-Minstrell to him he immediately sent her back Notwithstanding his severity he was very complaisant and often feasted with King Antigonus and meeting him sometimes drunk went along with him to Aristocles the Musician to nightly banquets and plaies Popular oftentation he avoided by sitting in the lowest place whereby he freed himselfe from the troublesome importunity of the other part He never walked with more than two or three at once Clâ—anthes saith he many times gave mony to people that they would not trouble him throng about him Being on a certain time encompassed by a great croud he shewed them a wooden ball on the top of the cloyster which formerly belonged to an Altar This saith he was once placed in the niddle but because it is troublesome it is now laid aside I desire you would in like manner withdraw your selves that you may be lesse troublesome He was so free from being corrupted by gifts that Democharis son of Laches desiring him to let him know what businesse he would have to Antigonus promising to write about it and assuring him that Antigonus would furnish him with whatsoever he desired he turned away from him and would never after converse with him He was so humble that he conversed with mean and ragged persons whence Timon And for companions gets of servants store Of all men the most empty and most poor He was most patient and frugall in his houshold expences something enclining to the sordidnesse of the Barbarians Laertius mentions one servant that he had Seneca averrs he had none Whensoever he reprehended any it was covertly and afar off as may appear by many of his Apophthegms His habit was very mean whence it was said of him Him nor the Winters rigid frost or rain The scorching Sun or sharp
him why he drew water he answer'd Do I only draw water Do I not also dig and water the ground and all for the sake of Philosophy For Zeno brought him up to this and bad him bring him an obolus gained by his labour Upon a time he brought in his gains before all his Disciples saying Cleanthes If he would could maintain another Cleanthes but they who have wherewithall to maintain themselves would be supply'd by others yet study philosophy nothing the more diligently Hence Cleanthes was called a second Hercules He was very laborious but dull and slow He used to write the dictates of Zeno in shells and the shoulder-blades of Oxen for want of money to buy paper He was his auditor 19. years For these reasons though Zeno had many other eminent Disciples yet he succeeded him in the School CHAP. II. His Apophthegmes HIs Fellow-Disciples derided him he took it patiently and being called Asse answered he onely could bear Zeno's burthen Another time being reproached as timerous therefore saith he I sin little Preferring his own Poverty before the plenty of the rich whilst they saith he Play at Ball I manure a hard barren soil He often chid himself being all alone which Aristo overhearing whom saith he do you chide he smiling answered a grey-headed old fellow without wit To one that said Arcesilaus abrogated the offices of life peace saith he dispraise him not for though he take away offices in discourse he commends them in his actions To whom Arcesilaus saying I cannot endure flattery I do indeed flatter replies Cleanthes when I say you speak one thing and do another To one that asked what he should teach his Son he answer'd in the words of Electra Peace peace a little step A Lacedemonian saying that labour was good hee laughed answering My son thou of a gen'rous race art come Disputing with a young man he asked him whether hee did feel the other answers he did he replyed why then do I not feel that you feel Sosythius the Poet saying in the publick Theatre when Cleanthes was present Those whom Cleanthes madnesse leads away hee sate still not changing his countenance whereupon the Auditors applauding him turned out Sosythius who afterwards coming to Cleanthes told him he was sorry that he had reproached him Cleanthes answer'd it were unsit I should behold unconcerned Bacchus and Hercules derided by the Poets and be angry ' at a little word against my self He compared the Peripateticks to Lutes that make good Musick but hear it not themselves Holding according to Zeno that the mind may be discerned in the countenance some merry young men brought an effeminate youth to him rustically cloathed desiring his opinion of that mans disposition He bad him depart which the other going to do sneezed Cleanthes presently cryed out I have found out the man he is effeminate To one that was all alone talking to himself you discourse saith he with a man that is not ill To one that was reproach'd him with his age I would be gone saith he but when I consider that I am in health fit to write and study I raber choose to stay Cleanthes bad those who came to hear him to fancy pleasure painted in a Tablet richly habited and adorned sitting upon a Throne the Vertues standing about her as her handmaids doing nothing else but wait on her commands and whispering in her ear if it can be phancied of a picture to bid her take heed of doing any thing imprudently that may offend the minds of men or any thing that may occasion grief He said whosoever sweareth at the same time sweareth truly or forsweareth himself if he intend to do that which hee sweareth though he do it not he sweareth truly if he intend it not he is forsworn One observing him silent said to him why do you hold your peace it is pleasant to talk to friends It is indeed answer'd Cleanthes but the more pleasant it is the more we ought to allow them the freedom of it Hee said that unlearned men differed from Beasts in their figure Being demanded why amongst the Antients when there were fewest Philosophers there were more eminent then at this time he answer'd because then they minded the thing it self now only in words To one that asked him how a man might be rich he answered by being poor in desire CHAP. III. His Writings HEE left behind him saith Laertius these excellent Books Of time Of Zeno's Philosophy Explications of Heraclitus 3. Of Sense 4. Of Art To Democritus To Aristarchus To Erillus Of Appetite 2. Archaeology Of God Of Gyants Of Hymenealls Of a Poet. Of Office 3. Of right consultation Of Gratitude Protreptick Of Vertues Of Ingenuity Of Gorgippus Of Envy Of Love Of Liberty The Art of Love Of Honour Of Glory The Politiekâ— Of Counsell Of Laws Of Iudging Of the reason of living Of speech 3. Of the End Of honest things Of Actions Of Science Of a Kingdom Of Friendship Of a Symposium That the vertue of man and woman is the same That a wise man may use Sophismes Of Chria's Dissertations 2. Of Pleasure Of Properties Of Inexplicables Of Dialectick Of Tropes Of Categoremes Besides these are mention'd Of Atoms Of Brasse Of Sumptions Fabulous Traditions The Art of Rhetorick CHAP. IV. His Death HE lived according to Laertius 80. years according to Lucian 99. The occasion of his death this being troubled with a forenesse of his gumms Stobaeus saith an Ulcer under his Tongue he was enjoyned by the Physitians to fast two daies which he did and was wel then they told him he might eat again but he would not saying he was now gone a great way on his journey would you have me â—aith he having past over the greatest part of my life return back again and begin it anew Having fasted two daies more hee died Simplicius saith he saw an exquisite statue of Cleanthes in Assus an example of the magnificence of the Romance Senate dedicated to his honour CHRYSIPPVS CHAP. I. His Life CHrysippus was of Soli a City of Cilicia afterwards called Pompeiopolis his Father was of Tarsis named Apollonius or as Suidas Apollonides who came and lived at Soli which perhaps gave Laertius and from him Suidas occasion to doubt whether Chrysippus himself were not of Tarsis He first exercised in the Hippodrome Hecaton saith that having wasted his Patrimony in the Kings service hee applyed himself to Philosophy Coming to Athens he heard as some affirm Zeno or rather as Diocles and others Cleanthes from whom whilst he was yet alive he dissented He was an eminent Philosopher ingenious and acute in every thing so that in most opinions he differ'd from Zeno and Cleanthes to whom he would only say tell me the Doctrines and let me alone for proofes If at any time he crossed Cleanthes in dispute he was afterwards sorry for it often saying Of happinesse in all I am
and though he prais'd it as naturall yet it becommeth Curtezans rather then Gods Moreover what he saith of those that writ of Tables is false not to be found neither in Polemo nor Hipsicrates nor Antigonus but forged by himselfe In his book of a Commonwealth he allowes marriage with a mother and a daughter and repeats the same in the beginning of his book Concerning things expetible in themselves In his third book of Iustice extending to a thousand Paragraphs he advised to feed upon the very dead In his second book of Life and Transaction he affirmeth a wise man ought to take care to provide himselfe food but to what end must he provide himselfe food for Livelyhood Life is an indifferent For Pleasure Pleasure also is indifferent For Vertue that is selfe sufficient for Beatitude Such kinds of acquisition of wealth are very ridiculous If they proceed from a King there is a necessitie of complying with him if from a friend that friendship is veniall if from wisdome that wisdome is mercenary For these things saith Laertius some have inveigh'd against him CHAP. IV. His death HE died according to Apollodorus in the 143d Olympiad so supply Laertius in whom the centenary number is wanting by Suidas having lived 73 years The manner of his death is differently related Hermippus affirmes that being in the Odaeum a kinde of publick Theatre at Athens his Disciples called him away to Sacrifice and thereupon taking a draught of wine he was immediately seiz'd by a Vertigo of which at the end of five daies he died Others report he died of excessive laughter Seeing an Asseeafigs he bad his woman offer it some wine and thereat fell into such extremity of laughter that it killed him As to his person he was very little saith Laertius as appeareth by his Statue in the Ceramick which is almost hid by the horse that stands next it whence Carneades called him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hid by a horse The posture of this Statue Cicero saith was sitting and stretching forth his hand Pausanias saith it was set up in the Gymnasium called Ptolomaean from the Founder not far from the Forum Laertius reckons foure more of this name The first a Physician to whom Erasistratus acknowledgeth himselfe beholding for many things The Second his sonne Physician to Ptolomy who upon the calumnies of some that maligned him was publickly punished and beaten with rods The third Disciple to Erasistratus The fourth a writer of Georgicks ZENO ZENO was of Tarsis or according to others of Siodn his Father named Dioscorides He was Disciple to Chrysippus and his successor in the School He wrote few bookes but left behinde him many Disciples DIOGENES DIOGENES was born at Seleucia he was sirnamed the Babylonian from the vicinity of that place He was Disciple of Chrysippus and is stiled by Cicero an eminent and serious Stoick Seneca relates that discoursing earnestly concerning anger a foolish young man standing by spat in his face which he took meekly and discreetly saying I am not angry but am in doubt whether I ought to be so or not He was one of the three that was sent from Athens on Embassy to Rome of which already in the life of Carâ—eades who learn'd Dialectick of him Cicero saith he lived to a great age Amongst other things he wrote a treatise of Divinaâ—ion ANTIPATER ANTIPATER was of Sidon Disciple to Diogenes the Babylonianâ— Cicero calls him a most acute person Senecae one of the great authors of the Stoicall Sect. He declined to dispute with Carneades but filled his bookes with confutations of him whence he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the clamorous penman He disputed much against those who asserted nothing Besides other things he writ two books of Divination Cicero at the latter end of his second book of Offices saith he then was lately dead at Athens PANAETIUS PANAETIUS was of Rhodes his Ancestours eminent for Martiall affairs and exercises He was Disciple to Antipater intimate friend to â— Scipio Africanus whom he accompanyed in his journey to Alexandria Cicero calls him almost Prince of the Stoicks a person extreamly inigenous and grave worthy the familiarity of Scipio and Laelius He was a great admirer of Plato whom every where he calleth divine most wise most holy the Homer of Philosophers But his opinion of the immortality of the Soul he approved not arguing thus Whatsoever is generated dieth but soules are generated as is manifest from the likenesse of those that are begotten to their Parents not only in body but disposition His other argument was There is nothing that is grieved or pained but is subject to be sick whatsoever is subject to sicknesse is likewise subject to death souls are subject to griefe therefore they are subject to death He alone rejected Astrologicall predictions and receded from the Stoicks as to Divination yet would not positivly affirm there was no such art but only that he doubted it He wrote three books of Offices much commended by Cicero Lipsius conjectures he died old because Cicero affirmeth out of Posidonius that he lived thirty years after he had written his Bookes of offices POSIDONIUS POSIDONIUS was born at Apamea in Syria He lived at Rhodes and there managed civill affairs and taught Philosophy Pompey in his return from Syria went to Rhodes purposely to hear him and coming to his dore forbad the Lictor to knock as was the custome but he saith Pliny to whom the East and West had submitted himselfe submitted his Fases at this Gate But understanding that he was very sick of a great pain in his joynts he resolved only to give him a visit At his first coming and salutation he told him with much respect that he was extreamly sorry he could not hear him Posidonius answer'd You may for no corporeall pain shall make me frustrate the coming of so great a person And thereupon he discoursed seriously and copiously upon this subject as he lay in his bed That nothing is good but what is honest And as often as his pain took him he would say Pain it is to no purpose though thou art troublesome I will never acknowledge thou art ill He made a Sphear wherein were all the conversions of the Sun Moon and Planets exactly as they moved in the Heavens every day and night Of his writings are cited by Cicero five Bookes of Divination as also five bookes of the nature of the Gods Thus far we have a continued succession of the Stoick Philosophers the last School according to Laertius's disposition of thsoe that were descended from Thales FINIS 2  52  3  53  4  54 Pisistratus died having raigned 17 years Arist. Polit. 5. Lxiii  55  2  56  3  57  4  58  Lxiv Miltiades Hâ—l 7. 59  2  60  3  61  4  62  Lxv Â
a Book which he sent to Balbus He wrote also another against his Master Philo entituled Sosus Cicero being at Athens heard him and was much taken with the eloquence and volubility of his discourse declaring him to be the most polite and acute of all Philosophers in his time but not with the new Doctrine which he introduced Thus far there is a continued series of the Academick Philosophers FINIS THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY The Sixt Part Containing the Peripatetick Philosophers LONDON Printed for Humphrey Moseley and Tho Dring An. Dom. 1656. ARISTOTELES ARISTOTELES CHAP. I. His Country Parents and time of his Birth UPon the death of Plato his Disciples separated themselves into two Sects The first continued in the same school where he taught the Academy the other possess'd the Lyceum The first was known by the generall name of Academicks or Peripateticks of the Academy the the other by the generall name of Peripateticks or more particularly Peripateticks of the Lyceum Of the first we have discoursed already we come now to the other of which Aristotle was the Head Aristotle was born at Stagira a City of Thrace according to Herodotus Thucydides Pausanias and Suidas by others placed in Macedonia to take from him the imputation of a Barbarian It was seated upon Strymon a River which parts those two Countries having a Haven called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a little Island of the same name belonging to it This place to which Aristotle ow'd his birth he afterwards requited with extraordinary Gratitude His Father was named Nicomachus descended from Nicomachus Son of Machaon whose skill in Medicine is celebrated by Homer Son of Aesâ—ulapius from whom Aristotle's Father derived not only his Pedigree but his art also for he was a Physician Suidas saith he wrote six Books of Medicine and one of Physick Galen alledgeth a Plaister of one Nicomachus either this or the elder This Nicomachus whom some affirm to have been grandson to Hippâ—crates the Physician lived in the time of Amyntas King of Macedonia Father of Philip a Prince as Iustine witnesseth eminent for all Royall Vertues To him Nicomachus was not only Physician but friend and favourite Tzetzes forgot these relations of Aristotle as Nunnesius observes when he affirmed that he was called an Aesculapian figuratively in respect of his skill in Medicine though it be true also that hee did professe that Art His Mother Laertius and Suidas name Phaestias Dionysius Halicarnassaeus and Ammonius Phaestis Ammonius saith she also was descended from Aesculapius alledging in testimony thereof this Epigram His Mother Phaesis Sire Nicomachus Descended both from Aesculapius But Dionysius Halicarnassaeus saith she was daughter a Chalcidian one of the Colony which was sent from Chalcis to Stagira Her Picture Aristotle in piety to her memory caused to be made by Protogenes an eminent Painter of that time which Picture Pliny reckons amongst the choicest pieces of that Master Aristotle as Suidas affirms had a Brother named Arimnestus and Sister Arimneste His Brother died before him without issue as appears by his will Aristotle was born according to the testimonies of Apollodorus Dionysius Halicarnassaeus and others in the first year of the 99 tâ— Olimpiad at what time Diotrephes was Archon at Athens 44. years after the Birth of Plato as Athenaeus accounts more justly then Ammonius and Suidas who reckon but 42. before the birth of Demosthenes three years Agellius affirms he was born the seventh year after the recovery of the City of Rome from the Gaules by Camillus but because as Plutarch saith it is hard to find out on what year the City was taken it will be hard also to find upon what year it was recovered The recovery was seven months after its taking but in the following year for it was taken in Iuly recover'd in February If therefore as Valerius Flaccus Agellius and Cassius Hemina account the taking of the City was in the 363d year from the building thereof it was recover'd in the 364th Thus Aristotle was born in the first year of the 99th Olympiad the 370th from the building of Rome But if a Livy affirms the taking of Rome was in the 365th year from the building thereof and its recovery in the 366th Aristotle according to that account must have been born in the third year of the 99th Olympiad in the 372d year from the building of the City Again if the City were taken in the 364th year after the building thereof and recover'd in the 365th year as Varro Pliny Dionysius Halicarnassaeus account whom Scaliger followeth Aristotle must have been born in the second year of the 99th Olympiad the 371. from the building of the City reckoning alwaies ten months for a year and not casting them off as Pliny and others seem to do and beginning immediately the next year which months being reckoned the account will agree with ours hitherto Nunnesius CHAP. II. His first Education and Studies N Icomachus and Phaestis the Parents of Aristotle being both dead he was brought up by Proxenus an Atarnean during which time being yet very young he learned the Liberall Sciences as appeareth saith Ammonius from those writings of his which partly concern Poetry partly the Poets themselves as likewise from his Homericall questions and severall Books of the Art of Rhetorick In gratitude for this care taken by Proxenus in his education Aristotle afterwards not only bred up in like manner Nicaâ—or the Son of Proxenus in all kinds of Learning but adopted him his Son and with his Estate bequeathed his Daughter to him He likewise caused the Statues of Proxenus and his wife to be made and set up in honour of them as is manifest by his Will Athenaeus citing an Epistle of Epicure and Aelian relate that having consumed the inheritance left by his Father in prodigality and luxury he betook himself to the Warres wherein having ill successe he profess'd Medicine and by chance coming into Plato's School and hearing their disputes being of a wit far beyond the rest he addicted himself to Philosophy and became famous therin But this agrees not wel with the circumstances of his story as related by Authors of greater credit and lesse prejudice CHAP. III. How he heard Plato HAving attained the age of 17. years he went in obedience to the Pythian Oracle which advised him to addict himself to Philosophy to Athens Laertius saith out of Apollodorus that he was then but seventeen years old in which year Nausigenes was Archon Dionysius Halicarâ—assaeus saith it was the year following at what time Polyzelus was Archon perhaps it was upon Nausigenes's going out of his Office whom Polyzelus succeeded But Eumenus is much mistaken who saith he was thirty years old when hee came first to Plato perhaps as Nunnesius conjectures because he had read in Plato that Dialectick ought not to be studied till