Acumenus

Akumenos (Greek Ἀκουμενός Akumenós or Akoumenós, even Ak ( o) umenos of Athens called; * to 480/470 BC; † after 415 BC ) was a doctor in Athens. He lived in the 5th century BC and was a personal friend of the philosopher Socrates.

Life

About the origin of the Akumenos nothing is known. He was probably born in the seventies, of the 5th century BC, was thus slightly older than Socrates. He had a son named Eryximachos, who was also a doctor. In Plato's dialogue Symposium ( " The Banquet " ) is Eryximachos one of the participants of feasting and giving a speech. There, Plato leaves the two doctors of Alcibiades praise; Alcibiades calls Eryximachos " best son of the best and wisest Father."

In Plato's dialogues Akumenos occurs more than once. He is there but no interlocutor, but is only mentioned. A mutual friend of Socrates and Phaedrus was Akumenos of Myrrhinous, the title character of Plato's dialogue Phaedrus. Plato can report Akumenos have given him the advice to go for walks on trails outside the city, because it was less tiring than going around in the lobbies in this work Phaedrus. Socrates had agreed to this view. After Plato's representation of Socrates held Akumenos and Eryximachos for competent doctors. The historian Xenophon provides an anecdote to the effect that Socrates with reference to Akumenos an appetite lots advised to fast.

In the year 415 Akumenos and Phaedrus were accused along with a number of other persons of religious violence. The complaint against Akumenos came from a slave named Lydos. Lydos claimed in the house of Pherekles his master, mysteries were celebrated, that is, the mysteries of Eleusis were parodied there and Akumenos was among those present. Akumenos waited a fair hearing is not from, but fled into exile. Also Phaedrus opted for the flight. The escapees were declared in the absence guilty, their property was confiscated. That a time because of another religion with violence, the " Hermenfrevels " denunzierter Eryximachos with the son of Akumenos is identical, it is likely but not certain.

In a trial that took place in Athens in the year 400, a nephew of the Akumenos called Alexippos was named as a witness of the circumstances that had led to the flight of his uncle. It can be concluded that Akumenos then either already died or was still in exile, since he would otherwise be able to testify.