Phædo's Life

I. Phædo the Elean, one of the Eupatridæ, was taken prisoner at the time of the subjugation of his country, and was compelled to submit to the vilest treatment. But while he was standing in the street, shutting the door, he met with Socrates, who desired Alcibiades, or as some say, Crito, to ransom him. And after that time he studied philosophy as became a free man. But Hieronymus, in his essay on suspending one’s judgment, calls him a slave.

I. Phædo of Elis was one of the Eupatridæ. He was taken prisoner when his country was conquered and was forced to endure the worst treatment. But while he was standing in the street, shutting the door, he met Socrates. Socrates asked Alcibiades, or as some say, Crito, to pay for his release. After that, Phædo studied philosophy as a free man should. But Hieronymus, in his essay on suspending judgment, calls him a slave.

II. And he wrote dialogues, of which we have genuine copies; by name—Zopyrus, Simon, and Nicias (but the genuineness of this one is disputed); Medius, which some people attribute to Æschines, and others to Polyænus; Antimachus, or the Elders (this too is a disputed one); the Scythian discourses, and these, too, some attribute to Æschines.

II. He wrote dialogues, and we have genuine copies of them. They include Zopyrus, Simon, and Nicias, though the authenticity of Nicias is disputed. They also include Medius, which some attribute to Æschines and others to Polyænus. Another is Antimachus, or the Elders, whose authenticity is also disputed. There are also the Scythian discourses, which some attribute to Æschines.

III. But his successor was Plistanus of Elis; and the next in succession to him were Menedemus of Eretria, and Asclepiades of Phlius, who came over from Stilpo. And down to the age of these last, they were called the Eliac school; but after the time of Menedemus, they were called the Eretrians. And we will speak of Menedemus hereafter, because he was the founder of a new sect.

III. But his successor was Plistanus of Elis. Plistanus was succeeded by Menedemus of Eretria and Asclepiades of Phlius, who had come over from Stilpo. Until their time, the school was called the Eliac school. But after Menedemus, its members were called the Eretrians. We will discuss Menedemus later because he founded a new school.