Clearchus of Soli

Clearchus of Soli

Clearchus of Soli (Greek: Kλέαρχoς, Klearkhos) was a Greek philosopher of the 4th-3rd century BCE, belonging to Aristotle's Peripatetic school. He was born in Soli in Cyprus.

He wrote extensively on eastern cultures, and is thought to have traveled to the Bactrian city of Ai-Khanoum (Alexanderia on the Oxus)in modern Afghanistan.

Writings

Clearchus wrote extensively around 320 BCE on eastern cultures, from Persia to India, and several fragments from him are known. His book "Of Education" (Greek: Περὶ παιδείας, Peri paideiās) was preserved by Diogenes Laertius.

Clearchus in particular expressed several theories on the connection between western and eastern religions. In "Of Education", he wrote that "the gymnosophists are descendants of the Magi". In another text, quoted by Josephus, Clearchus reported a dialogue with Aristotle, where the philosopher states that the Hebrews were descendants of the Indian philosophers:

"Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea; but for the name of their city, it is a very awkward one, for they call it Jerusalem." Josephus, Contra Apionem, I, 22 [1].

His works included also[2]:

  • Βίοι (Bioi); a biographical work, of at least eight volumes
  • A commentary on Plato's Timaeus
  • Πλάτωνος ἐγκώμιον (Platōnos enkōmion); eulogy to Plato
  • Περὶ τῶν ἐν τῇ Πλάτωνος Πολιτείᾳ μαϑηματικῶς ἐιρημένων (Peri tōn en tē Platōnos Polīteiā mathēmatikōs eirēmenōn); on the mathematical subjects in Plato's Republic
  • Γεργίϑιος (Gergithios); a treatise on flattery
  • Περὶ φιλίας (Peri filiās); on friendship
  • Παροιμίαι (Paroimiai); proverbs
  • Περὶ γρίφων (Peri griphōn); on riddles
  • Ἐρωτικά (Erōtika); a probably historical collection of love-stories with some very odd questions on the subject
  • Περὶ γραφῶν (Peri graphōn); on paintings
  • Περιγραφαί (Perigraphai); ? the reading in Athenaeus is doubtful (XIV 648f)
  • Περὶ νάρκης (Peri narkēs); on the Electric ray
  • Περὶ τῶν ἐνύδρων (Peri tōn enudrōn); on water-animals
  • Περὶ ϑινῶν (Peri thīnōn); on sand-wastes
  • Περὶ σκελετῶν (Peri skeletōn); an anatomical work
  • Περὶ ὕπνου (Peri upnou); on sleep (genuineness questionable)

There is some question as to whether the work on military tactics cited by Aelianus Tacticus should be ascribed to Clearchus of Soli or Clearchus of Heraclea.

Travels

In the Bactrian city of Ai-Khanoum, near the border with India, Greek verses, brought to city by Clearchus from Delphi, were dedicated to the founder of the city named Kineas. On a Herôon (funerary monument), identified in Greek as the tomb of Kineas (also described as the oikistes (founder) of the Greek settlement) and dated to 300-250 BC, the inscription says:

The inscription with the Delphic precepts, at Ai-Khanoum.
"As children, learn good manners.
As young men, learn to control the passions.
In middle age, be just.
In old age, give good advice.
Then die, without regret."
(Ai Khanoum inscription)

The precepts were placed by a Greek named Clearchus, thought to be Clearchus of Soli, who had copied them from Delphi:

"Whence Klearchos, having copied them carefully, set them up, shining from afar, in the sanctuary of Kineas"
(Ai Khanoum inscription)

Clearchus of Soli was a contemporary and compatriot of Stasanor (born in the same city of Soli, in Cyprus), who was a general of Alexander the Great and later satrap of Bactria and Sogdiana.

Notes

  1. ^ Excerpt of Chapter I-22, Josephus, Contra Apionem: "For Clearchus, who was the scholar of Aristotle, and inferior to no one of the Peripatetics whomsoever, in his first book concerning sleep, says that "Aristotle his master related what follows of a Jew," and sets down Aristotle's own discourse with him. The account is this, as written down by him: "Now, for a great part of what this Jew said, it would be too long to recite it; but what includes in it both wonder and philosophy it may not be amiss to discourse of. Now, that I may be plain with thee, Hyperochides, I shall herein seem to thee to relate wonders, and what will resemble dreams themselves. Hereupon Hyperochides answered modestly, and said, For that very reason it is that all of us are very desirous of hearing what thou art going to say. Then replied Aristotle, for this cause it will be the best way to imitate that rule of the Rhetoricians, which requires us first to give an account of the man, and of what nation he was, that so we may not contradict our master's directions. Then said Hyperochides, Go on, if it so pleases thee. This man then, [answered Aristotle,] was by birth a Jew, and came from Celesyria; these Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea; but for the name of their city, it is a very awkward one, for they call it Jerusalem. Now this man, when he was hospitably treated by a great many, came down from the upper country to the places near the sea, and became a Grecian, not only in his language, but in his soul also; insomuch that when we ourselves happened to be in Asia about the same places whither he came, he conversed with us, and with other philosophical persons, and made a trial of our skill in philosophy; and as he had lived with many learned men, he communicated to us more information than he received from us." This is Aristotle's account of the matter, as given us by Clearchus; which Aristotle discoursed also particularly of the great and wonderful fortitude of this Jew in his diet, and continent way of living, as those that please may learn more about him from Clearchus's book itself; for I avoid setting down any more than is sufficient for my purpose." Josephus, Contra Apionem, I
  2. ^ Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Clearchus", Boston, (1867)

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • CLEARCHUS OF SOLI° — (in Cyprus; fourth and third centuries B.C.E.), Greek philosopher. Clearchus is generally regarded as a disciple of Aristotle, although his concepts of the soul have more in common with Platonism. In the fragment preserved in Josephus (Apion 1,… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Soli, Cyprus — Soli or Soloi (Greek: Σόλοι) is an ancient Greek city in the island of Cyprus, located south west of Morphou and on the coast in the gulf of Morphou and dates back to about the 6th century BC. Since the 1974 Turkish invasion the city has resided… …   Wikipedia

  • Clearchus — The name Clearchus or Clearch may refer to: Clearchus of Athens comic poet Clearchus of Heraclea tyrant of Heraclea Pontica Clearchus of Rhegium sculptor, pupil of Eucheirus, teacher of Pythagoras Clearchus of Soli author, pupil of Aristotle… …   Wikipedia

  • List of ancient Greeks — This an alphabetical list of ancient Greeks. These include ethnic Greeks and Greek language speakers from Greece and the Mediterranean world up to about 200 AD. compactTOCRelated articles NOTOC A*Acacius of Caesarea bishop of Caesarea… …   Wikipedia

  • History of the Jews in Greece — There have been organized Jewish communities in Greece for more than two thousand years. The oldest and the most characteristic Jewish group that has inhabited Greece are the Romaniotes, also known as Greek Jews . However, the term Greek Jew is… …   Wikipedia

  • List of other Greeks in ancient Macedonia — This is a list of other Greeks in ancient Macedonian region and Kingdom. For other ancient Macedonians see List of ancient Macedonians Macedonia (region)*ancient west ThraceCentral MacedoniaChalcidiceCities *Acanthus *Acrothoi *Aege *Alapta… …   Wikipedia

  • Stasanor — (in el. Στασάνωρ; lived 4th century BC) was a native of Soli in Cyprus who held a distinguished position among the officers of Alexander the Great.rf|1|strab 14 tasanor, officer of AlexanderHe probably entered the service of that monarch after… …   Wikipedia

  • History of antisemitism — Antisemitism Part of Jewish history …   Wikipedia

  • Peripatetic school — The Peripatetics were members of a school of philosophy in ancient Greece. Their teachings derived from their founder, the Greek philosopher Aristotle and Peripatetic ( #x03b9; #x03b9; #x03ba; #x1f79; #x03c2;) is a name given to his followers.As… …   Wikipedia

  • Ai-Khanoum — Infobox Afghan City official name =Ai Khanoum native name = province name =Kunduz image size = image caption = Coin of Eucratides I (171 145 BCE), one of the Hellenistic rulers of ancient Ai Khanoum. latd = 37.169 longd = 69.408 districts=… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”