Diogenes Laërtius
Diogenes Laërtius was a notable biographer of Greek philosophers, believed to have lived in the third century CE. His most significant contribution is a ten-volume work titled "Philosophoi biol," which translates to "The Lives, Opinions, and Remarkable Sayings of the Most Famous Ancient Philosophers." This compilation offers insights into the lives, teachings, and notable sayings of various ancient philosophers, including a dedicated section on Epicurus, complete with letters he wrote. Despite facing criticism for including gossipy and scandalous anecdotes, Diogenes's work is valued for its factual accounts and preservation of ancient philosophical ideas, making it a crucial resource for understanding the history of philosophy. His writings remain among the few surviving records from antiquity, enriching our knowledge of how philosophical thought developed. Although little is known about Diogenes's personal beliefs or life, his contributions are recognized as significant in the study of philosophical history.
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Subject Terms
Diogenes Laërtius
Historian
- Born: fl. c. 250
- Birthplace: Laerte, Cilicia (now in Turkey)
Biography
Diogenes Laërtius was a biographer of Greek philosophers. Little is known about his life; it is possible that his last name was derived from his birthplace, Laerte in Cilicia (now in Turkey), or as a derivative from the Roman family surname Laertii. Diogenes is believed to have lived in the third century c.e., as his works include biographical information on the life of Sextus Empiricus, who lived in 200 c.e. Another indication that he lived in the third century are the references to his works by Stephanus of Byzantium, who lived in 500 c.e.
Diogenes is most noted for his ten volume work titled Philosophoi biol (c. third century c.e.; The Lives, Opinions, and Remarkable Sayings of the Most Famous Ancient Philosophers, 1688). In this collection of biographies, Diogenes documented the lives, doctrines, and sayings of ancient Greek philosophers. The last of the ten volumes in the collection was devoted to the philosopher Epicurus and contained three letters written by Epicurus to Herodotus of Halicarnassus, Pythocles, and Monoeceus.
Diogenes’s works were criticized for containing an abundance of gossip and scandalous stories. However, his factual accounts and descriptions of the ancient philosophers, along with summaries of their ideas and reproductions of documents such as wills and correspondence, proved to be a substantial contribution to history. Throughout his biographical collection, Diogenes never revealed his own opinions or philosophy. Some historians regarded Diogenes as a follower of Christ, while others considered him to be a follower of Epicurius, devoted to self- indulgence. Although Diogenes’s life remains a mystery, there is no doubt that his biographies, some of the only works to survive from antiquity, provide invaluable information on the development of Greek philosophy.