M. Wellmann, “Xenokrates aus Aphrodisias,” Hermes 42 (1907) 614–630; RE 9A.2 (1967) 1529– 1531
(#8), F. Kudlien; OCD3 1628, W.D. Ross.
Arnaud Zucker
Xenokrate ̄s of Ephesos (50 – 70 CE)
Son of Ze ̄no ̄n, lived under Nero, and wrote at least a treatise on stones (Lithika), read and
much appreciated in his own time and later. P 37.38 speaks about Xenokrate ̄s as
still living and considers his work worthy of the greatest admiration. Origen, In Ps. 118.127,
transmitting a description of topaz, calls our author lithogno ̄mo ̄n, “expert on stones.”
Xenokrate ̄s’ fragments mostly survived via the Arab tradition. According to Wellmann, the
alphabetic catalogue of gems, included by Theodo ̄ros Melite ̄niote ̄s in his poem On moderation
(second half of the 15th c.), probably derives from Xenokrate ̄s.
Xenokrate ̄s’ lapidary was a compilation of various traditions, including detailed descrip-
tions, classifications and geographical documentation, in the tradition of T
and S, medical material in the tradition of D, and magical properties
in the traditions of Z or B, as well as medical questions related to minerals.
Consequently Pliny sometimes quotes Xenokrate ̄s among medical experts, but does not
imply equating him with the homonymous physician X A.
M. Wellmann, “Xenokrates aus Aphrodisias,” Hermes 42 (1907) 614–629; RE 7.1 (1910) 1052–1115 at
1052, O. Rossbach; R. Cadiou, “L’île de Topaze. Le fragment du «lithognomon» de Xénocrate
d’Éphèse,” in Mélanges Desrousseaux (1937) 27–33; RE 9A.2 (1967) 1529 (#7), K. Ziegler; Ullmann
(1972) 98–100; Idem, “Das Steinbuch des Xenokrates von Ephesos,” Medizinhistorisches Journ. 7 (1972)
49 – 64; Idem, “Neues zum Steinbuch des Xenokrates,” Medizinhistorisches Journ. 8 (1973) 59–76; KP
5.1416 (#4), C.J. Classen; RE S.14 (1974) 974–977 (#7), M. Ullmann; Halleux and Schamp (1985)
–; NP 12/1.623–624 (#5), Chr. Hünemörder.
Eugenio Amato
Xenokrate ̄s of Aphrodisias © Österreichische Nationalbibliothek
XENOKRATE ̄S OF EPHESOS