Metrocles

Metrokles ( ancient Greek Μητροκλῆς Mētroklḗs, Latinized Metrocles; * in the 4th century BC, † in the 3rd century BC) of Maroneia was a Greek philosopher of ancient and belongs to the flow of Cynicism.

His writings are lost, get are only some ancient accounts of his life and his teachings.

Life and Teaching

The most important source to Metrokles is active in the 3rd century historian of philosophy Diogenes Laertius. The precise lifetime Metrokles ' is unknown. He was a brother of the philosopher Hipparchia, who was married to the famous Cynic Crates of Thebes. His sister and he came from a distinguished family of the city Maroneia in Thrace, Metrokles seems, however, soon to have gone to Athens to study there by famous philosophers. He is said to have died in old age by holding his breath.

Metrokles received philosophical lessons first with the Peripatetics Theophrastus and later at academician Xenocrates. About the diversion from these schools and Metrokles ' turn to cynicism, the following story is narrated. Although Metrokles was sent by his wealthy family means plenty to Athens, he feared for his financial situation. To keep up with the members of the Peripatetic school and the Academy, it was in fact necessary to act as a fine, rich man and to lead a lavish budget. As a blamables mishap joined them - it escaped him a fart - Metrokles decided to starve to death. In this state, visited him the precaution angegessene with beans Cynic Crates of Thebes. When he could not convince with arguments Metrokles that something very useful had happened to him, he resorted to other means and also pfurzte. Metrokles has joined him then, adopted the Cynic way of life and suddenly came easily even without financial support from Maroneia cope. The story is also regarded as authentic reference to any sociological differences between academy and Peripatos on one side and the Cynics on the other side.

It is assumed that Metrokles represented a moderate Cynicism. So he should not, like the earlier Cynics have always rejected wealth, but viewed it as harmful, if not properly used it. It is well known that so-called Metrokles Chrien has written ( collection of sayings and anecdotes of famous people ). Students of Metrokles were Theombrotos and Cleomenes.

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