The Life of Anaximenes

I. Anaximenes, the son of Eurystratus, a Milesian, was a pupil of Anaximander; but some say that he was also a pupil of Parmenides. He said that the principles of everything were the air, and the Infinite; and that the stars moved not under the earth, but around the earth. He wrote in the pure unmixed Ionian dialect. And he lived, according to the statements of Apollodorus, in the sixty-third Olympiad, and died about the time of the taking of Sardis.

I. Anaximenes, the son of Eurystratus, was from Miletus and was a pupil of Anaximander. But some say he was also a pupil of Parmenides. He said that air and the Infinite were the principles of everything. He also said that the stars moved around the earth, not underneath it. He wrote in the pure Ionian dialect. According to Apollodorus, he lived during the sixty-third Olympiad and died around the time Sardis was captured.

II. There were also two other persons of the name of Anaximenes, both citizens of Lampsacus; one an orator and the other a historian, who was the son of the sister of the orator, and who wrote an account of the exploits of Alexander.

II. There were also two other men named Anaximenes, both citizens of Lampsacus. One was an orator. The other was a historian, the son of the orator’s sister, who wrote an account of Alexander’s exploits.

III. And this philosopher wrote the following letters:—

III. This philosopher wrote the following letters:

Thales, the son of Euxamias, has died in his old age, by an unfortunate accident. In the evening, as he was accustomed to do, he went forth out of the vestibule of his house with his maid-servant, to observe the stars: and (for he had forgotten the existence of the place) while he was looking up towards the skies, he fell down a precipitous place. So now, the astronomer of Miletus has met with this end. But we who were his pupils cherish the recollection of the man, and so do our children and our own pupils: and we will lecture on his principles. At all events, the beginning of all wisdom ought to be attributed to Thales.

Thales, the son of Euxamias, died in old age in an unfortunate accident. One evening, as usual, he went out from the entrance of his house with his maidservant to observe the stars. He had forgotten about a steep drop. As he looked up at the sky, he fell over it. So the astronomer of Miletus met his end. But we, his pupils, cherish his memory, as do our children and our own pupils. And we will teach his principles. In any case, Thales should be credited with the beginning of all wisdom.

IV. And again he writes:—

IV. He also writes:

You are more prudent than we, in that you have migrated from Samos to Crotona, and live there in peace. For the descendants of Æacus commit unheard-of crimes, and tyrants never cease to oppress the Milesians. The king of the Medes too is formidable to us: unless, indeed, we choose to become tributary to him. But the Ionians are on the point of engaging in war with the Medes in the cause of universal freedom. For if we remain quiet there is no longer any hope of safety for us. How then can Anaximenes apply his mind to the contemplation of the skies, while he is in perpetual fear of death or slavery? But you are beloved by the people of Crotona, and by all the rest of the Italians; and pupils flock to you, even from Sicily.

You were wiser than we were to leave Samos for Crotona, where you live in peace. For the descendants of Æacus commit unheard-of crimes, and tyrants never stop oppressing the Milesians. The king of the Medes also threatens us, unless we choose to pay tribute to him. But the Ionians are about to go to war with the Medes for everyone’s freedom. For if we do nothing, we will have no hope of safety. How can Anaximenes study the skies while he lives in constant fear of death or slavery? But the people of Crotona and all the other Italians love you. Pupils flock to you, even from Sicily.