The philosopher of Stagira had many students. The most distinguished was Theophrastus, of whom we must speak next.
Theophrastus
36 Theophrastus was a native of Eresus,76 the son of a fuller, Melantes, as Athenodorus says in the eighth book of his Discourses. He studied first in his native town with his countryman Alcippus, and then attended the lectures of Plato, whom he left for Aristotle. When the latter retired to Chalcis, he himself took over as head of the school in the 114th Olympiad.77 He had a slave named Pompylus who became a philosopher, according to Myronianus of Amastris in the first book of his Historical Parallels.
37 Theophrastus was a man of exceptional intelligence and industry; and according to Pamphila in the thirty-second book of her Commentaries, he was the teacher of Menander the comic poet.78 He was also eager to be of service and fond of discussion. Cassander,79 at any rate, granted him audiences, and Ptolemy80 wrote letters to him. The Athenians held him in such high regard that Hagnonides, having had the temerity to prosecute him on a charge of impiety, barely escaped incurring a penalty.81 Roughly two thousand students used to attend his lectures. In a letter to Phanias the Peripatetic,82 among other topics, he speaks as follows about his lecture hall: “To get an audience or even a select body of the sort one desires is not easy. Lectures read aloud must be revised. Always to adjourn and ignore criticism will no longer be tolerated by this generation.”83 It was in this letter that he called someone a “pedant.”
38 Despite his high renown, he nevertheless went abroad for a brief period with all the other philosophers when Sophocles,84 son of Amphiclides, proposed a law that no philosopher should be the head of a school without the approval of the Council and the Assembly, under penalty of death.85 But he returned the following year, when Philo86 had prosecuted Sophocles for proposing an unconstitutional measure. At that point the Athenians repealed the law, fined Sophocles five talents, and voted the recall of the philosophers, in order that Theophrastus might return and live there as before.
The Thinker and The Spirit, by Auguste Rodin, 1899/1900.
39 Though he had been named Tyrtamus, Aristotle renamed him Theophrastus because of the divine sweetness (thespesion) of his style (phrasis). And Aristippus,87 in the fourth book of his work On the Luxuriousness of the Ancients, says that Theophrastus was infatuated with Aristotle’s son Nicomachus, though he was his teacher. It is said that Aristotle made the same remark about Theophrastus and Callisthenes that Plato is said to have made (as mentioned earlier)88 about Xenocrates and Aristotle: because Theophrastus interpreted all his meaning with exaggerated cleverness, whereas the other was naturally sluggish, Aristotle said that the one needed a bridle, the other a goad. It is said that he became the owner of a private garden after Aristotle’s death, with the assistance of his friend Demetrius of Phalerum.
40 The following pithy sayings are attributed to him: “One should sooner trust an unbridled horse,” he said, “than a poorly organized discourse.” To someone who remained perfectly silent at a drinking party he said, “If you are a fool, you act wisely; if educated, you act like a fool.”89 He was constantly saying that our most costly item of expenditure is time.
He died at the age of eighty-five, not long after he had suspended his labors. My own verses about him run as follows:
No vain word, this, when spoken to a fellow mortal:
“Slacken the bow of wisdom and it breaks.”
For truly Theophrastus, while he toiled, was sound of body,
But when released from toils his strength failed and he died.
41 They say that when asked by his students if he had any parting words for them, he said, “Just this, that many of the pleasures life boasts are illusory. For just as we begin to live, we die. Hence nothing is more unprofitable than love of glory. But fare you well. Either abandon my doctrine—for it demands great effort—or champion it honorably and you will win great glory. Life’s vanity exceeds its utility. But since it is no longer possible for me to reflect upon what we should do, proceed with your inquiry into how we should conduct ourselves.” With these words, they say, he breathed his last. And it is said that all the Athenians, out of respect for the man, escorted his bier on foot. Favorinus says that in old age Theophrastus used to be carried about in a litter, and he cites Hermippus as the authority for his account, Hermippus having gleaned it from a remark of Arcesilaus of Pitane to Lacydes of Cyrene.90
42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50 Theophrastus too has left an extraordinary number of books; I thought it right to list them, since they abound in every kind of excellence. They are as follows:
Prior Analytics, three books
Posterior Analytics, seven books
On the Analysis of Syllogisms, one book
Epitome of Analytics, one book
Classified Topics, two books
A Polemical Discussion
On the Senses, one book
Against Anaxagoras, one book
On the Doctrines of Anaxagoras, one book
On the Doctrines of Anaximenes, one book
On the Doctrines of Archelaus, one book
On Salt, Niter, and Alum, one book
On Petrified Objects, two books
On Indivisible Lines, one book
Lectures, two books
On Winds, one book
Species of Virtues, one book
On Monarchy, one book
On the Education of a King, one book
On Ways of Life, three books
On Old Age, one book
On the Astronomy of Democritus, one book
On Likenesses or Emanations, one book
On Flavors, Colors, and Flesh, one book
On the Orderly Arrangement of the Universe, one book
On Mankind, one book
Anthology of the Writings of Diogenes, one book
Definitions, three books
On Love, one book
Another treatise on love, one book
On Happiness, one book
On Forms, two books
On Epilepsy, one book
On Frenzy, one book
On Empedocles, one book
Dialectical Arguments, eighteen books
Objections, three books
On the Voluntary, one book
Epitome of Plato’s “Republic,” two books
On the Diversity of Voices among Animals of the Same Species, one book
On Animals That Appear in Herds, one book
On Animals That Bite or Gore, one book
On Animals Reputed to Be Malicious, one book
On Animals That Live on Dry Land, one book
On Animals That Change Color, one book
On Animals That Hibernate, one book
On Animals, seven books
On Pleasure According to Aristotle, one book
Another treatise on pleasure, one book
Theses, twenty-four books
On Hot and Cold, one book
On Dizziness and Vertigo, one book
On Sweating, one book
On Affirmation and Negation, one book
Callisthenes or On Mourning, one book
On Fatigues, one book
On Motion, three books
On Stones, one book
On Pestilences, one book
On Fainting, one book
Megarian Treatise, one book
On Melancholy, one book
On Mines, two books
On Honey, one book
Anthology of the Doctrines of Metrodorus, one book
Meteorology, two books
On Drunkenness, one book
Laws, in alphabetical order, twenty-four books
Epitome of Laws, ten books
Remarks on Definitions, one book
On Smells, one book
On Wine and Oil <…>
First Propositions, eighteen books
slators, three books
On Politics, six books
Political Themes Dealing with Circumstances, four books
On Political Customs, four books
On the Best Constitution, one book
A Collection of Problems, five books
On Proverbs, one book
On Freezing and Melting, one book
On Fire, two books
On Winds, one book
On Paralysis, one book
On Suffocation, one book
On Mental Derangement, one book
On Emotions, one book
On Symptoms, one book
Sophisms, two books
On Solving Syllogisms, one book
Topics, two books
On Retribution, two books
On Hair, one book
On Tyranny, one book
On Water, three books
On Sleep and Dreams, one book
On Friendship, three books
On Ambition, two books
On Nature, three books
On Natural Philosophy, eighteen books
Epitome of Natural Philosophy, two books
Natural Philosophy, eight books
Against the Natural Philosophers, one book
On Botanical Researches, ten books
On Botanical Causes, eight books
On Juices, five books
On False Pleasure, one book
Theses on the Soul, one book
On Unsystematic Proofs, one book <…>
On Simple Problems, one book
Harmonics, one book
On Virtue, one book
Materials for Arguments or Contradictions, one book
On Negation, one book
On Judgment, one book
On the Absurd, one book
Afternoon Essays, two books
Divisions, two books
On Differences, one book
On
On Slander,91 one book
On Praise, one book
On Experience, one book
Letters, three books
On Animals Generated Spontaneously, one book
On Secretion, one book
Eulogies of the Gods, one book
On Festivals, one book
On Good Fortune, one book
On Enthymemes, one book
On Discoveries, two books
Lectures on Ethics, one book
Ethical Characters, one book
On Tumult, one book
On Inquiry, one book
On Judging of Syllogisms, one book
On the Sea, one book
On Flattery, one book
To Cassander, on Monarchy, one book
On Comedy, one book
On Celestial Bodies, one book
On Style, one book
A Collection of Arguments, one book
Solutions, one book
On Music, three books
On Measures, one book
Megacles, one book
On Laws, one book
On Illegalities, one book
Anthology of the Doctrines of Xenocrates, one book
The Affable Man, one book
On Taking an Oath, one book
Rhetorical Precepts, one book
On Wealth, one book
On the Art of Poetry, one book
Problems in Politics, Natural Philosophy, Love, and Ethics, one book
Prefaces, one book
A Collection of Problems, one book
On Problems in Natural Philosophy, one book
On Example, one book
On Introduction and Narrative, one book
Another work on the art of poetry, one book
On the Wise, one book
On Consultation, one book
On Solecisms, one book
On the Art of Rhetoric, one book
On the Rhetorical Arts: {Sixty-One Forms}
On Acting, one book
Lecture Notes of Aristotle or Theophrastus, six books
Opinions on Natural Philosophy, sixteen books
Epitome of Opinions on Natural Philosophy, one book
On Gratitude, one book
Ethical Characters, one book
On Falsehood and Truth, one book
The History of Theological Doctrines, six books
On the Gods, three books
Geometrical Researches, four books
Epitomes of Aristotle’s Writings on Animals, six books
Dialectical Arguments, two books
Theses, three books
On Monarchy, two books
On Causes, one book
On Democritus, one book
On Slander, one book
On Becoming, one book
On the Intelligence and Character of Animals, one book
On Motion, two books
On Vision, four books
Remarks on Definitions, two books
On What Has Been Admitted, one book
On Greater and Less, one book
On the Musicians, one book
On the Happiness of the Gods, Against Those of the Academy, one book
Exhortation, one book
How Cities Could Best Be Governed, one book
Lecture Notes, one book
On the Eruption in Sicily, one book
On Points Admitted, one book
On Problems in Natural Philosophy, one book
What Are the Methods of Attaining Knowledge, one book
On the Liar, three books
Prefaces to the Topics, one book
Against Aeschylus, one book
Astronomical Research, six books
Arithmetical Researches on Growth, one book
Acicharus, one book
On Forensic Speeches, one book
On Slander, one book
Correspondence with Astycreon, Phanias, and Nicanor
On Piety, one book
Evias, one book
On Occasions, two books
On Relevant Arguments, one book
On the Education of Children, one book
Another treatise with the same title, one book
On Education or On Virtues or On Temperance, one book
Exhortation, one book
On Numbers, one book
Definitions Concerning the Diction of Syllogisms, one book
On the Heavens, one book
On Politics, two books
On Nature
On Fruits
On Animals
Theophrastus teaching students about a silver tree, a species from the Cape of Good Hope. From Tonneel van Nederlands Lusthooven, 1718.
In all 232,808 lines. So much for his writings.
51,52,53,54,55,56,57 I have found his will, which is worded as follows:
Theophrastus’ Garden, by Terry Winters, 1982.
51,52 All will be well; but if anything should happen, I make the following dispositions. All my property at home I give to Melantes and Pancreon, the sons of Leon. From the funds entrusted to Hipparchus I desire the following distributions to be made: First, the restoration of the museion92 and the statues of the goddesses should be completed, and the latter embellished in any way that seems practicable. Next, the likeness of Aristotle should be placed in the temple along with all the other dedicatory offerings that were there previously. Then, the small stoa93 adjoining the museion should be rebuilt at least as handsomely as before, and the tablets containing the maps of the world replaced in the lower stoa; then, the altar should be repaired so that it may be perfect and elegant. I also wish the statue of Nicomachus94 to be completed at life size. The fee for the sculpting of the statue itself has already been paid to Praxiteles,95 but let any additional expenses be defrayed from the same source. Let the statue be set up in whatever place seems best to the executors entrusted with carrying out the rest of the will’s provisions. Let all that concerns the temple and the offerings be arranged in this way.
53 The estate in Stagira belong
ing to me I give to Callinus. All my books I give to Neleus.96 The garden and walkway and all the houses adjoining the garden I give to any of the friends listed below who wish to philosophize there together—since it is not possible for all men to be always at home—on condition that no one alienate the property or appropriate it for private use; instead, let them hold it as if it were a temple they possess in common, living together on terms of familiarity and friendship, as is proper and right.97 Let the community include Hipparchus, Neleus, Strato,98 Callinus, Demotimus, Demaratus, Callisthenes,99 Melantes, Pancreon, and Nicippus. Aristotle,100 son of Metrodorus and Pythias, should also be permitted to associate with them and share their pursuits if he wishes to philosophize. And the oldest of them should devote all their attention to him, in order that he may acquire the utmost proficiency in philosophy.
54 Let them bury me at whatever spot in the garden seems most suitable, without superfluous expenditure on my funeral or on my monument. And in order that, after my death, the maintenance of the temple and the monument and the garden and the walkway continue without interruption, let Pompylus101 share the responsibility with them, living nearby as he does, and attending to all other matters as before; and let those who hold the property take thought for his welfare.
55 As for Pompylus and Threpta, who have long been granted their freedom and have done me much service, whatever they have already received from me and whatever they have earned themselves, as well as the sum I have now decided to have made over to them by Hipparchus, namely two thousand drachmas, I think should certainly belong to them, as I have frequently mentioned to Melantes and Pancreon, who agreed with me. I also give them the maid Somatale.
56 Of my slaves I immediately grant Molon, Cimon, and Parmeno their freedom; as for Manes and Callias, I free them on condition that they remain four years in the garden and work there together and that their conduct be blameless. As for my household furniture, let my executors give as much to Pompylus as they think he should have, and sell the rest. I give Carion to Demotimus, and Donax to Neleus. But Euboeus should be sold.
57 Let Hipparchus give Callinus three thousand drachmas. And if I had not seen Hipparchus do good service to Melantes and Pancreon and formerly {to me}, and now in his private affairs suffer shipwreck, I would have appointed him with Melantes and Pancreon to manage these matters. But since I saw that it was not easy for them to share the management with him, and I assumed it to be more advantageous for them to receive a fixed sum from Hipparchus, let Hipparchus pay Melantes and Pancreon one talent each; and let Hipparchus give the executors funds with which to defray the expenses set down in the will, when each distribution falls due. And when Hipparchus has carried out these instructions, let all his debts to me be canceled. Any advance he has made in my name in Chalcis belongs to him alone.
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers Page 29