Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume II

Diogenes Laertius compiled his compendium on the lives and doctrines of the ancient philosophers from hundreds of sources. It ranges over three centuries, from Thales to Epicurus, portraying forty-five important figures, and is enriched by numerous quotations.

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Examined lives.

Diogenes Laertius, author of a work on Greek philosophy, lived probably in the earlier half of the third century, his ancestry and birthplace being unknown. He was an Epicurean philosopher, but his work is not philosophical. The title is History of Philosophy or On the Lives, Opinions, and Sayings of Famous Philosophers; the work, in ten books, is divided unscientifically into two “Successions” or sections: “Ionian” from Anaximander to Theophrastus and Chrysippus, including the Socratic schools; “Italian” from Pythagoras to Epicurus (who fills all the last book), including the Eleatics and Sceptics. It is a collection of quotations and facts, and is of very great value.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Diogenes Laertius is in two volumes.