- These external conditions are prominent in historical and sociological accounts of
the emergence of Greek philosophy (Lloyd, 1987, 1990; Bryant, 1996). - From Latin calculus, Greek chalix: pebble.
- The family migrated to Boeotia, a rather backwoods region of mainland Greece.
Hesiod is known to have read a poem at a festival at Chalcis, on the island of
Euboea. But he wrote in the cosmopolitan language Ionian, not Boeotian (OCCL,
1937: 207–208). - For this reason I have included probable connections in Figure 3.1 for several
persons: Pythagoras’ youth coincided with Anaximander’s maturity and fame at
nearby Miletus; given Pythagoras’ reputation for wide travels, it seems likely that
he would have heard the latter personally, although the sources do not mention it.
Hecataeus of Miletus, an exact contemporary of Heraclitus, played a major role
in organizing the Ionian revolt of 499–494 b.c.e. and traveled widely. He must
have been at the neighboring city of Ephesus, and in his public capacity could
hardly have been unacquainted with Heraclitus, an official of the local temple.
Hecataeus was known as a geographer; given the connection of cosmology with
geography at this time, Hecataeus likely connects with the chain of cosmological
philosophers at Miletus (Guthrie, 1961–1982: 1:74, 173; DSB, 1981: 6:212). - Similarly, ancient sources attributed the origins of the atomist Leucippus to both
Miletus and Elea (Guthrie, 1961–1982: 2:384). Elea was an Ionian colony, and
Miletus was the most actively colonizing city of Ionia (Barraclough, 1979: 75). - Plato is reputed to have paid the princely sum of 40 minas (about 4,000 drachmas)
for this book (Kirk, Raven, and Schofield, 1983: 324). - There was a chain of teachers at Cos down through 280 b.c.e.; after that point
its leaders, such as Herophilus (107 in the key to Figure 3.5) and Erasistratus (108),
migrated to Alexandria (DSB, 1981: 4:104, 382; 6:316). This was reorganization
rather than intellectual death; medical doctrines were simultaneously appearing at
Athens, branching off from Aristotle’s school, especially that of Diocles (76), who
formalized Hippocratic materials using the categories of philosophy. Within a
generation medicine, as well as natural science, was firmly institutionalized at
Alexandria in the Museum (von Staden, 1989). - The Library was begun under Ptolemy (r. 323–283) and greatly expanded under
his son Ptolemy II (r. 285–246), who is said to have purchased Aristotle’s collection
of books (OCCL, 1937: 22, 138, 241, 281; Hadas, 1954: 21–24). The Museum,
founded under Ptolemy II, supported literary scholars and also scientists. It is likely
that both Ptolemy patronized individual scholars even before this formal institution
was created; Strato was the tutor of Ptolemy II before returning to Athens as head
of the Lyceum. - Epicurus had taught earlier at Lampsacus (on the Hellespont) and Mytilene (in the
northeastern Aegean), where he formed his first community of followers. Other
early branches were established at Antioch and Alexandria (Long, 1986: 17). The
Epicurean community was organized into ranks, with the wise man at the top
(Epicurus himself and his successors), followed by associate leaders, assistants, and
pupils (Rist, 1972: 9–12). Probably the subordinate communities and lower ranks
Notes to Pages 82–94^ •^955