Cercidas

Kerkidas of Megalopolis ( ancient Greek Κερκιδᾶς ὁ Μεγαλοπολίτης Kerkidás Ho Megalopolítēs ) was a Greek writer, legislator, politician and military commander. He came from Megalopolis and worked, after 250 BC.

From the writings of Kerkidas the font Meliamben is partly preserved. In addition, inform some ancient accounts of his life and work. Occasionally, he is attributed as a writer of philosophical tradition of Cynicism.

Life and work

Kerkidas came from a rich family. He worked as a politician and officer and commanded the infantry of his city in the Battle of Sellasia.

Kerkidas is seen as a moderate representative Cynic thought. As an indication of content, such as his praise of the Cynic Diogenes of Sinope and the unpretentiousness and his criticism of traditional religion are called. The caption of a papyrus scroll reads " Meliamben the Cynic Kerkidas " ( Κερκίδα Κυνὸς Μελίαμβοι ).

Received In his essay Meliamben, of the larger parts on a papyrus from the 2nd century AD are ( POxy 1082 ), is Kerkidas used in typical Cynic kind against the luxury. He asks why God does not give the money useless exuding the "money bag Xenon " the one who has most needed and shares with another. He complains that people wanted to beat out every stone daredevil profit and each pursue a station that he could plunder. He advocated a simple lifestyle that is based on respect, honesty and moderation.

Identity

Klaus Döring 1998 argued in favor of adopting two different people named Kerkidas of Megalopolis, of which a writer was in the tradition of the Cynic body of thought, the other a legislator, politician, and military leader. His thesis rests on the assumption of the incompatibility of Cynicism with the activities of a legislator, politician and general.

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