# Epicharmus explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

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

## What happens

Epicharmus, a native of Cos and pupil of Pythagoras, was brought to Megara in Sicily as an infant and later moved to Syracuse. He was renowned for his wisdom, as reflected in the inscription on his statue. He wrote commentaries on natural philosophy, apothegms, and medicine, with notes asserting his authorship. He died at age ninety.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

Epicharmus wrote commentaries treating natural philosophy, continuing the Pythagorean tradition of exploring the natural world.

### Death and Legacy

Epicharmus died at age ninety, leaving behind a body of work that includes commentaries, apothegms, and medical writings, with his authorship clearly marked.

## Character check-ins

### Epicharmus

Native of Cos, pupil of Pythagoras, brought to Megara and Syracuse, author of commentaries on natural philosophy, medicine, and apothegms.

### Pythagoras

Mentioned as the teacher of Epicharmus.

## Key lines

> As the bright sun excels the other stars, As the sea far exceeds the river streams: So does sage Epicharmus men surpass, Whom hospitable Syracuse has crowned.

Just as the sun outshines all stars and the sea surpasses rivers, so does the wise Epicharmus exceed other men, honored by Syracuse.

_Inscription on Epicharmus's statue praising his wisdom and his connection to Syracuse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/epicharmus
- 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