Leo ̄nidas of Alexandria (Astr.) (50 – 80 CE)
This poet lived at the time of Nero and Vespasian. He is particularly known to have written
three books of epigrams: only 42 brilliant pieces remain, nearly all isopsephic; they are
addressed mainly to the imperial family who are praised on many anniversary feasts. But
according to his own statement (AP 9.344), he was primarily an astronomer: unfortunately
nothing else is known about his scientific work.
BNP 7 (2005) 403 (#4), M.G. Albiani.
Christophe Cusset
Leo ̄nidas of Alexandria (Med.) (80 – 120 CE)
Called episunthetic by -G, I (14.684 K.), and C A-
explicitly following S (Acut. 2.7–8 [CML 6.1.1, p. 134]), a school whose cre-
ation -G, D, attributes to A. Hence scholars have sur-
mised that Leo ̄nidas studied under Agathinos (at a time when Pneumaticists began to
incorporate elements from other sects, e.g., Methodism and Empiricism). No work by
Leo ̄nidas has survived; extant fragments in A A and P A
show clearly that he was a surgeon, practicing in Alexandria. His explanation of lethargy as
the obstruction of brain canals (Cael. Aurel., ibid.) might result from anatomical explor-
ations; his surgical work could have influenced A, H, and
A.
RE 12.2 (1925) 2034 (#18), F.E. Kind; KP 3.569 (#8), F. Kudlien; Idem (1968) 1099; BNP 7 (2005) 402
(#3), V. Nutton.
Alain Touwaide
Leo ̄nidas of Buzantion (150 – 50 BCE)
Son of the ichthyologist M B, wrote in Greek prose a famous On
fishing (Halieutika) used by Athe ̄naios (Deipn. 1 [13c]) and probably also by P and
O (see Wellmann, Hermes 30 [1895] 161–176). A (NA, epilogue) mentions
Leo ̄nidas, along with his father and D, among the main authorities on sea-
fishing. Aelianus’ explicit references concern (personal?) observations made while traveling
(2.6; 2.50), technical explanations of special baits (12.42), and a mysterious poisonous fish
(a kind of globe-fish) of the Red Sea (3.18).
GGLA 1 (1891) 851; RE 12.2 (1925) 2033–2034 (#16), W. Kroll.
Arnaud Zucker
Leo ̄nidas of Naxos (350 – 325 BCE)
Son of Leote ̄s, architect and perhaps sculptor, built a large eponymous guest-house at
Olympia, adjacent on the south-west to the sacred precinct of Zeus, ca 330 BCE (Pausanias
5.15.1). Pausanias also saw an honorary statue of Leo ̄nidas set up by the people of Arcadian
Pso ̄phis (6.16.5). Fragments from the epistyle of the Leo ̄nidaion preserve a dedicatory
inscription, repeated at least twice and possibly on three sides of the building, naming
Leo ̄nidas as builder and donor. The Leo ̄nidaion is nearly square, 74.80 x 81.08 m, with an
LEO ̄NIDAS OF NAXOS