beaten and dissolved in vinegar (CMGen 4.13, 13.746–747 K.); a “dry,” i.e., fat-free, head
plaster (CMGen 5.3, 13.846 K.); several styptics (CMGen 5.14 [13.850–854 K.], 5.15 [13.857
K.]) composed of calamine, khalkitis, orpiment, sulfur, or other minerals; a compound
prevailing against all sinew ailments of bdellium, ammo ̄niakon incense, Illyrian iris,
opopanax, galbanum, storax, frankincense, pepper, beeswax, and terebinth (CMGen
7.6, 13.969 K.). Krito ̄n (loc. cit.) transmits one of Leukios’ remedies, a face-powder of
litharge and misu.
RE 13.2 (1927) 1652–53 (#7), F.E. Kind; KP 3.756, F. Kudlien; BNP 7 (2005) 854–855 (Lucius #1),
V. Nutton.
Alain Touwaide
Leukippos of Abde ̄ra (460 – 420 BCE)
First atomist philosopher, he may have been born in Mile ̄tos or Elea and then later moved
to Abde ̄ra. He taught D, and together they developed the atomic theory of
matter. Leukippos seems to have been its inventor, positing atomism as a response to
P’ philosophical doctrines. Although it is difficult to distinguish Leukippos’ and
De ̄mokritos’ respective contributions to the atomic system, the most likely view is that
Leukippos worked out the main outlines of atomism, and that De ̄mokritos elaborated the
system in greater detail. If true, Leukippos would be responsible for the brilliant response to
Parmenide ̄s’ arguments that ancient atomism represents. Parmenide ̄s had argued that
according to the rules of logic it can be deduced that all that exists is Being, one and
motionless. Motion, plurality, change, and “not being” are mere illusions and cannot and do
not exist. Moreover, coming into being and passing away are impossible. Addressing this
paradox, Leukippos responded that Parmenide ̄s’ objections could be met by positing an
infinite number of indivisible and indestructible atoms traveling forever in infinite void or
space. The atoms come together to form compound bodies, and depart as the compound
bodies disintegrate. Thus, the ultimate principles of reality are “being” (the atoms) and
“non-being” (the void), and all compound bodies are made up of them. The atoms and void
are eternal, but the compound bodies composed of them are not. Two works attributed to
Leukippos are The Great World System, and On Mind, neither of which survives. In The Great
World System, Leukippos explained how worlds (kosmoi) are formed. As the atoms move
and collide eternally in the void, they at times fall into patterns called “vortexes,” developing
into worlds as the atoms sort themselves out.
DK 67; C. Bailey, The Greek Atomists and Epicurus (1928); KRS 402–433; DSB 8.269, G.B. Kerferd; OCD3
848, D.J. Furley; ECP 298, J.S. Purinton; BNP 7 (2005) 447 (#5), I. Bodnár.
Walter G. Englert
Libanios (ca 350 – 450 CE?)
Wrote a geographical work on Macedon and the lands around Constantinople, which
the R C used as a principle source on the Bosporos (4.3), and on
Dardania, Thrake ̄, and Musia (4.5–7); cited also on Macedon (4.9). Cf. I G.
and P G. All attested bearers of the name seem to be related to the orator
(PLRE); the name is derived from the Semitic liban, “white” (Sala 1974: 25).
(*)
PTK
LEUKIPPOS OF ABDE ̄RA