# Anaxagoras explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

> Chapter companion for The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

## What happens

Anaxagoras of Clazomenae, a pupil of Anaximenes, was the first philosopher to attribute mind (Nous) to matter, arranging the cosmos from primordial chaos. He renounced his wealth for natural philosophy, famously claiming he was born to contemplate the sun, moon, and heaven. He taught that the sun was a fiery mass of iron, the moon had hills and ravines, and all things were composed of homoeomeries (similar parts). He was tried for impiety—defended by Pericles—and either fined and banished or condemned to death in absentia. He died in Lampsacus, where he requested an annual holiday for children.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

Anaxagoras introduced Nous as the ordering principle, explained celestial bodies as fiery stones, and theorized about winds, thunder, earthquakes, and the generation of animals.

### Political Engagement and Tyranny

Anaxagoras avoided politics, yet his trial for impiety and Medism shows the intersection of philosophy and political power, with Pericles intervening on his behalf.

### Death and Legacy

His death in Lampsacus, the epitaph, and the annual holiday for children reflect his lasting influence and the respect he commanded.

## Character check-ins

### Anaxagoras

Central figure of the chapter; his life, teachings, trial, and death are detailed.

### Pericles

Pupil of Anaxagoras who defended him during his trial for impiety.

### Anaximenes

Mentioned as the teacher of Anaxagoras.

### Democritus

Anaxagoras was said to be hostile to him, failing to gain admission for conversation.

### Euripides

Disciple of Anaxagoras who referenced his solar theory in his play Phaethon.

### Metrodorus of Lampsacus

Friend and follower who first seriously studied natural philosophy in Homer's poems.

## Key lines

> All things were mixed up together; then Mind came and arranged them all in distinct order.

Initially, everything was in chaos, but then Mind (Nous) organized the universe into a coherent structure.

_Opening of Anaxagoras' treatise, establishing his core cosmological principle._

> You have lost the Athenians;”⁠—“No,” said he, “they have lost me.

When told he had lost the Athenians, Anaxagoras retorted that it was they who had lost him, implying his value to the city.

_Reflects his dignified response to exile or condemnation._

> The descent to hell is the same from every place.

Death is equally accessible from any location, so dying abroad is no different from dying at home.

_Comfort offered to a man grieving over dying in a foreign land._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/anaxagoras
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters