“discutient” (a common property in salves and plasters before 1920, when they were some-
times termed “resolvents,” drugs that could dissipate pus in a wound). G harshly
criticizes the plaster as overly-simplistic; his typically legalistic attack seemingly demolished
the theoretical usefulness of such a homely and ordinary five-ingredient drug (CMGen 7.5
[13.962–966 K.], cf. 1.4 [13.392 K.]: “Mnasaios”). Significantly, Gale ̄n’s criticism does not
address the scammony. A P., in Gale ̄n CMGen 1.17 (13.445 K.), records
another plaster of “Mnasaios”: 100 drachmai of litharge and psimuthion, 50 of beeswax,
25 each of terebinth and frankincense, 12 of alum, in two cups of olive oil.
Ed.: Tecusan (2004) 85–86, 99, 104–105 (“Thematic Synopsis: Mnaseas”).
RE 15.2 (1932) 2247 (s.v. Mnasaios), H. Raeder; 2252–2253 (#7), K. Deichgräber.
John Scarborough
Mnaseas of Mile ̄tos (90 – 40 BCE)
Wrote a treatise on agriculture known to V, RR 1.1.9. According to C,
12.4.2, he discussed the preservation of foodstuffs, “following Mago” – presumably he read
his source in C D’ translation.
RE 15.2 (1932) 2253 (#8), R. Laqueur and W. Kroll.
Philip Thibodeau
Mnaseas of Patara (215 – 175 BCE)
A student of E, wrote a compilation of myths and thaumasia, probably
entitled Periplous or Perie ̄ge ̄sis, organized geographically, three chapters being entitled
“On Europe,” “On Asia,” and “On Libya.” In addition, Mnaseas authored Peri khre ̄smo ̄n.
He tries to explain mythical stories rationally and genealogically. Judging from extant frag-
ments, compared with parallel traditions, Mnaseas seems to have followed his sources quite
faithfully and added few inventions of his own.
Ed.: P. Cappelletto, I frammenti di Mnasea: Introduzione testo e commento (2003).
POxy 13 (1919) #1611; H.J. Mette, Lustrum 21 (1978) 39–40; OCD3 992, K.S. Sacks; BNP 9 (2006) 93
(#2), G. Damschen.
Jan Bollansée, Karen Haegemans and Guido Schepens
Mne ̄mo ̄n of Side ̄ (245 – 220 BCE)
Student of K who brought to Alexandria from Side ̄ a copy of the H
C, E 3, annotated with marks whose interpretation exercised generations
of Alexandrian commentators; G doubts their authenticity: In Hipp. Epid. III (CMG
5.10.2.1, pp. 77–80, 87, 157). They may be notes written in the epichoric Sidetan script.
Ihm (2002) #179.
PTK
Mne ̄sarkhos of Athens (ca 110 – 90 BCE)
Taught by D B, A T and P (C De
Or. 1.45–46), Mne ̄sarkhos, son of One ̄simos of Athens, was the Stoic scholarch at Athens
(Cic. Acad. Pr. 2.69). He taught that the primary substance of the universe (pro ̄te ̄ ousia) was
located in pneuma (I S 2.29.24 = Diels 1879: 303), and that language
MNE ̄SARKHOS OF ATHENS