Xenophilus

Xenophilos of Chalkidiki (Greek Ξενόφιλος; † in Athens ) was a philosopher and music theorist of the school of the Pythagoreans (followers of the philosopher Pythagoras ). He lived in the 4th century BC

Life and Teaching

Xenophilos was one of the teachers of the music theorist and philosopher Aristoxenus. Because of its origin from the Chalkidiki peninsula was called " Xenophilos the Chalcidians ". One according to tradition, going back to Aristoxenus, he was a pupil of the philosopher Philolaus and Eurytos and belonged to the " last Pythagoreans ", which went out the tradition of the Pythagorean school. Aristoxenus asserts Xenophilos had become over 105 years old and have his health and expertise preserved in the highest age.

Headings of Xenophilos nothing is known. From his teachings nothing is handed out a sentence which the Diogenes Laertius Doxograph quoted as citing Aristoxenos. Thus Xenophilos answered a questioner who wanted to know how he could educate his son 's best: "By you see to it that he is a citizen of a well-governed state."

Reception

His legendary longevity and preservation of health and labor Xenophilos owed ​​his fame in antiquity. For the image we had of him, the details of Aristoxenus were essential. Pseudo- Lucian, Valerius Maximus and Pliny the Elder mention the age of (more than ) 105 years, which he is said to have achieved. During the Renaissance, he was one of the famous ancient personalities; Rabelais mentioned him in the preface to the book 5 of Gargantua and Pantagruel, Montaigne takes on his longevity at full health cover.

Swell

• Maria Timpanaro Cardini: Pitagorici. Testimonianze e frammenti. Vol 2, La Nuova Italia, Florence 1962, pp. 422-425 ( in Greek and Latin source texts with Italian Translation )

Comments

• Philosopher ( Antiquity)
• Greek ( Ancient )
• Born on the 5th or 4th century BC
• Died on the 4th or 3rd century BC
• Man
• Music theorists