Theophrastus

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Theophrastus bigraphy, stories - Ancient Greek philosopher

Theophrastus : biography

Theophrastus (Greek: ; c. 371 – c. 287 BCTiziano Dorandi, Chapter 2: Chronology, in Algra et al. (1999) The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy, pages 52-3. Cambridge.), a Greek native of Eresos in Lesbos, was the successor to Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. He came to Athens at a young age and initially studied in Plato’s school. After Plato’s death, he attached himself to Aristotle. Aristotle bequeathed to Theophrastus his writings and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum. Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-six years, during which time the school flourished greatly. He is often considered the "father of botany" for his works on plants. After his death, the Athenians honoured him with a public funeral. His successor as head of the school was Strato of Lampsacus.

The interests of Theophrastus were wide ranging, extending from biology and physics to ethics and metaphysics. His two surviving botanical works, Enquiry into Plants and On the Causes of Plants, were an important influence on medieval science. There are also surviving works On Moral Characters, On Sensation, On Stones, and fragments on Physics and Metaphysics. In philosophy, he studied grammar and language and continued Aristotle’s work on logic. He also regarded space as the mere arrangement and position of bodies, time as an accident of motion, and motion as a necessary consequence of all activity. In ethics, he regarded happiness as depending on external influences as well as on virtue and famously said that "life is ruled by fortune, not wisdom."

Life

Most of the biographical information we have of Theophrastus was provided by Diogenes Laërtius’ Lives of the Philosophers, written more than four hundred years after Theophrastus’ time. He was a native of Eresos in Lesbos.Strabo, xiii.; Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36, etc. His given name was Tyrtamus (), but he later became known by the nickname "Theophrastus," given to him, it is said, by Aristotle to indicate the grace of his conversation (ancient Greek: Θεός = God and φράζειν = to phrase i.e. divine expression).Strabo, xiii.; Diogenes Laërtius, v. 38

[[Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Strato of Lampsacus. Part of a fresco in the National University of Athens]] After receiving instruction in philosophy in Lesbos from one Alcippus, he moved to Athens, where he may have studied under Plato."Theophrastus is said to have studied first at Eresus under Alcippus, then at Athens under Plato. The latter report is problematic." "Theophrastus" entry in the Encyclopedia of classical philosophy (1997), page 552. Greenwood He became friends with Aristotle, and when Plato died (348/7 BC) Theophrastus may have joined Aristotle in his self-imposed exile from Athens. When Aristotle moved to Mytilene on Lesbos in 345/4, it is very likely that he did so at the urging of Theophrastus."Theophrastus" entry in the Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy (1997), page 552. Greenwood It seems that it was on Lesbos that Aristotle and Theophrastus began their research into natural science, with Aristotle studying animals and Theophrastus studying plants. Theophrastus probably accompanied Aristotle to Macedonia when Aristotle was appointed tutor to Alexander the Great in 343/2. Around 335 BC, Theophrastus moved with Aristotle to Athens where Aristotle began teaching in the Lyceum. When, after the death of Alexander, anti-Macedonian feeling forced Aristotle to leave Athens, Theophrastus remained behind as head (scholarch) of the Peripatetic school, a position he continued to hold after Aristotle’s death in 322/1.

Aristotle in his will made him guardian of his children, including Nicomachus with whom he was close.Diogenes Laërtius, v. 38: "Aristippus in the fourth book of his treatise On Ancient Luxury asserts that he was enamoured of Aristotle’s son Nicomachus" – Robert Drew Hicks translation. Cf. Suda, Nikomakhos, Theophrastos. Aristotle likewise bequeathed to him his library and the originals of his works,"It may we be that we owe to Theophrastus the publication of some at least of his master’s voluminous works." (Hort) and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum.Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36; comp. Aulus Gellius, xiii. 5 Eudemus of Rhodes also had some claims to this position, and Aristoxenus is said to have resented Aristotle’s choice.