Arcesilaus

ARCESILAUS (316-241 B.C.), a Greek philosopher and founder of the New, or Middle, Academy (see ACADEMY, GREEK). Born at Pitane in Aeolis, he was trained by Autolycus, the mathematician, and later at Athens by Theophrastus and Grantor, by whom he was led to join the Academy. He subsequently became intimate with Polemon and Crates, whom he succeeded as head of the school. Diogenes Laertius says that he died of excessive drinking, but the testimony of others (e.g. Cleanthes) and his own precepts discredit the story, a…

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Vol. 2, pp. 342-342