The Encyclopedia of Ancient Natural Scientists: The Greek tradition and its many heirs

Me ̄trodo ̄ros of Lampsakos (305 – 278 BCE)

Epicurean philosopher who studied under E-

 at Lampsakos ca 310 – 307, and moved to Athens

with him in 307. Along with Epicurus, H-

, and P, he was considered one

of the four founders of the Epicurean school. Epicu-

rus dedicated some of his works to him, and he wrote

extensively. His works included: Against the Physicians,

On the Senses, Against the Dialecticians, Against the Sophists,

Against De ̄mokritos, and On Change (D L-

 10.24).

RE 15.2 (1932) 1477–80 (#16), W. Kroll; KP 3.1280 (#6),

H. Dörrie; Long and Sedley (1987) §21G; OCD3 977,

D. Obbink; ECP 342 – 343, D.N. Sedley; DPA 4 (2005)

514 – 517, B. Puech and R. Goulet; BNP 8 (2006) 837– 838

(#2), T. Dorandi.

Walter G. Englert

Me ̄trodo ̄ros of Ske ̄psis (ca 100 – ca 70 BCE)

Greek rhetorician and historian, son of K’ disciple Me ̄trodo ̄ros. An impover-
ished Ske ̄psian, also interested in philosophy, Me ̄trodo ̄ros, marrying well in Khalke ̄do ̄n,
became an intimate friend of M VI. Appointed a senior judge, Me ̄trodo ̄ros
was called the king’s father. Some time between 73 and 71 BCE, Eupato ̄r sent Me ̄trodo ̄ros
as an ambassador to Tigrane ̄s of Armenia to ask for military aid against the Romans.
Me ̄trodo ̄ros betrayed Eupato ̄r and died shortly afterwards, probably by the king’s order:
S 13.1.55; P Luc. 22. Renowned for his excellent rhetorical style,
Me ̄trodo ̄ros wrote on diverse subjects, including a biography of Tigrane ̄s, and treatises on
history, habits and gymnastic training. A scholium on L (F 16) calls Me ̄trodo ̄ros
“Periegeticus” suggesting a lost perie ̄ge ̄sis. Fragments of his lost works contain various
ethnographic and geographical data on Italy, Greece, Pontos and Kappadokia, and P
(7.89, 8.36) used him for geographical and mineralogical information. Possible anti-Roman
undertones earned him the nickname “Misoromaios” (Roman-hater).

Ed.: FGrHist 184.
J.-M. Alonso-Núñez, “Un historien antiromain: Métrodore de Scepsis,” DHA 10 (1984) 253–258;
P. Pédech, “Deux grecs face à Rome au Ier siècle av. J. C.: Métrodore de Scepsis et Théophane de
Mitylène,” REA 93 (1991) 65–78; DPA 4 (2005) 515, T. Dorandi.
Daniela Dueck

Metrodo ̄ros of Lampsakos
Reproduced with kind permission of
the National Archaeological Museum,
Athens

ME ̄TRODO ̄ROS OF SKE ̄PSIS