G CMGen 1.13 (13.414–416 K.), cf. 1.17 (13.446–447 K.), records his wound plaster
containing white pepper, litharge, and psimuthion in terebinth and beeswax; cf.
A in Gale ̄n, CMGen 1.14 (13.419–427 K.). C 5.19.11 offers a wound
plaster from Attalos composed of copper flake, frankincense soot, and ammo ̄niakon
incense in terebinth, bull-fat, vinegar and olive oil, and 6.6.5B a collyrium of aloes,
antimony, calamine, myrrh, saffron, etc. Pliny, 1.ind.28, 31, cites him for medicine from
animals. Gale ̄n praises the pharmacological work of “our Attalos,” Simpl. Med. 10.1 (12.251
K.), Antid. 1.1 (14.2 K.). (Cf. perhaps A P., in Gale ̄n CMLoc 8.3 [13.162–
163 K.], apparently used by M.)
J. Hopp, Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der letzen Attaliden (1977); OCD3 211, R.M. Errington.
Philip Thibodeau
Attalos of Rhodes (ca 150 – 125 BCE)
H (In Eudoxi et Arati Phaenomena) frequently castigates a commentary on A’
Phainomena by Attalos, his local contemporary whom he calls mathe ̄matikos (i.e. astronomer);
the designation “of Rhodes” is found only in an anonymous list of commentators on
Aratos. Hipparkhos’ criticisms and 14 brief quotations show that Attalos for the most part
sought to exonerate Aratos from charges of astronomical inaccuracy.
Maass (1898) 1–24; J. Martin, Histoire du texte des Phénomènes d’Aratos (1956) 22–27.
Alexander Jones
A ⇒ (1) I; (2) L
Atticus (ca 150 – 200 CE)
Platonic philosopher, wrote a polemical tract Against those who interpret Plato’s teachings through
Aristotle’s, cited extensively by E (PE 11 and 15), and commentaries on Platonic
dialogues, cited by P (often grouping Atticus with P). Evidence exists for
commentaries on Timaeus, Phaedo (?) and Phaedrus (?). Eusebios (Chron. p. 207 Helm^2 ) places
his floruit in 176– 180 CE. He taught H A.
Regarding ontology and cosmology Atticus often sides with Plutarch against the Pla-
tonic mainstream, teaching the temporal creation of the kosmos. Atticus’ anti-
Aristotelianism is noticeable in his rejection of the fifth element (aithe ̄r), criticism of the
astronomical views expressed in De caelo, and of the Categories, for which he follows his near-
contemporary Nikostratos the Platonist. Atticus’ works were read in P’ school.
He moreover seems to have influenced G and L.
Ed.: E. des Places, Atticus. Fragments (CUF 1977).
Moraux (1984) 2.564–582; DPA 1 (1989) 664–665, J. Whittaker; Dillon (1996) 247–258; BNP 2 (2003)
325 – 326, M. Baltes.
Jan Opsomer
Attius (30 BCE? – 75 CE)
Among the first astrologers to write in Latin, listed last (after M S) with
agricultural authorities (P 1.ind.18). In Praxidike ̄, Attius suggests that the best time to
sow is when the moon is in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, or Aquarius (Pliny 18.200): masculine
ATTALOS OF RHODES