The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Crantor explained
Crantor, a native of Soli, came to Athens and studied under Xenocrates alongside Polemo.
What happens
Crantor, a native of Soli, came to Athens and studied under Xenocrates alongside Polemo. He left behind 30,000 lines of writings, some attributed to Arcesilaus. He admired Polemo for his balanced speech, and during an illness he retired to the temple of Aesculapius, attracting followers who thought he intended to start a school. After recovering, he became a pupil of Polemo and was greatly admired. He bequeathed his property to Arcesilaus and wrote poems sealed in the temple of Minerva. He admired Homer and Euripides, coined novel expressions, and his most admired work is his book on Mourning. He died of dropsy before Polemo and Crates.
Themes in this chapter
The Philosopher's Life and Character
Crantor's character is highlighted through his admiration for Polemo's balanced speech, his wit in coining new expressions, and his devotion to writing and poetry.
Death and Legacy
Crantor's death from dropsy, his bequest to Arcesilaus, and his enduring writings, especially his book on Mourning, underscore his legacy.
Characters to notice
- Crantor
Native of Soli, pupil of Xenocrates and later Polemo, admired for his writings and wit.
- Xenocrates
Teacher of Crantor at the Academy.
- Polemo
Fellow pupil of Xenocrates and later teacher of Crantor; admired by Crantor for his balanced speech.
- Arcesilaus
Sought Crantor's recommendation to Polemo; inherited Crantor's property of twelve talents.
- Theophrastus
Crantor criticized his propositions as written on an oyster shell.
Key passages
“That he had never heard him speak in too high or too low a key.”
Crantor admired Polemo for his moderate and balanced manner of speaking.
Crantor's reason for being charmed by Polemo.
“It is a happy fate to lie entombed In the recesses of a well-lov’d land.”
Crantor expressed a wish to be buried in his beloved homeland.
Crantor's response when asked about his burial place.
“Alas! why should I say alas! for we Have only borne the usual fate of man.”
Crantor quoted Euripides to suggest that lamenting is futile because suffering is a common human experience.
Line from Euripides' Bellerophon that Crantor often cited.