The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Crates explained
This chapter discusses Crates, an Academic philosopher who was a pupil and successor of Polemo.
What happens
This chapter discusses Crates, an Academic philosopher who was a pupil and successor of Polemo. It highlights their close friendship, shared tomb, and the epigram by Antagoras commemorating them. It also mentions Arcesilaus's admiration for them, their living arrangements, and Crates's writings and notable disciples, including Arcesilaus and Bion. The chapter concludes by listing ten different individuals named Crates.
Themes in this chapter
Origins and Succession of Philosophical Schools
Crates's role as pupil and successor to Polemo exemplifies the orderly transmission of philosophical leadership in the Academy.
The Philosopher's Life and Character
The chapter emphasizes the virtuous and harmonious life of Crates and Polemo, their mutual devotion, and their disdain for popular courting.
Characters to notice
- Crates of Thebes
Son of Antigenes, pupil and successor of Polemo, known for his close friendship with Polemo and his philosophical writings.
- Polemo
Crates's teacher and close friend, with whom he shared a tomb and a kindred spirit.
- Arcesilaus
A disciple of Crates who admired him and Polemo, calling them 'some gods or else a remnant of the golden race.'
- Crantor
Messmate of Crates and Polemo, and host to Arcesilaus.
- Bion of Borysthenes
A disciple of Crates who later became known as a Theodorean.
Key passages
“Stranger, who passest by, relate that here The Godlike Crates lies, and Polemo; Two men of kindred nobleness of mind; Out of whose holy mouths pure wisdom flowed, And they with upright lives did well display, The strength of all their principles and teaching.”
A passerby is told that Crates and Polemo, two noble and wise men, are buried here, whose lives exemplified their teachings.
Epigram by Antagoras commemorating the shared tomb of Crates and Polemo.
“they were some gods or else a remnant of the golden race; for they were not very fond of courting the people, but had a disposition in accordance with the saying of Dionysodorus the flute player, who is reported to have said with great exultation and pride that no one had ever heard his music in a trireme or at a fountain as they had heard Ismenius.”
Arcesilaus described Crates and Polemo as divine or from a golden age because they avoided seeking public favor, much like a flutist who boasted that his music was never heard in common places.
Arcesilaus's admiration for the philosophers' disdain for popular approval.