# Eudoxus explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

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

## What happens

This chapter recounts the life and achievements of Eudoxus of Cnidus, an astronomer, geometrician, physician, and lawgiver. It details his education under Archytas and Philistion, his association with Plato, his travels to Egypt and the Propontis, his return to Athens with many disciples, and his later work as a lawgiver and author. The chapter also mentions his death at age 53 and the legend of Apis the bull licking his garment as an omen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

Eudoxus was an astronomer and geometrician who composed the Octaeteris and invented the theory of crooked lines, advancing Greek understanding of the cosmos.

### Origins and Succession of Philosophical Schools

The chapter traces Eudoxus's education under Archytas and Plato, his travels, and his own disciples, illustrating the transmission of knowledge.

### Death and Legacy

Eudoxus died at age 53, but his reputation was so brilliant that he was called Endoxus; the chapter includes an epigram on his death and the omen of Apis the bull.

## Character check-ins

### Eudoxus of Cnidus

Main subject of the chapter; an astronomer, geometrician, physician, and lawgiver who studied under Archytas and Plato, traveled to Egypt, and later returned to Athens.

### Archytas

Eudoxus's teacher in geometry.

### Plato

Eudoxus was a pupil of Plato according to Sotion; later returned to Athens with disciples, possibly to annoy Plato.

### Aristotle

Mentioned as the father of Nicomachus, who reported that Eudoxus said pleasure was the good.

### Chrysippus

A physician who accompanied Eudoxus to Egypt; also a pupil of Eudoxus.

## Key lines

> Eudoxus was the son of Aeschines, and a native of Cnidus. He was an astronomer, a geometrician, a physician, and a lawgiver.

Eudoxus, son of Aeschines, came from Cnidus and excelled as an astronomer, mathematician, doctor, and legal reformer.

_Summarizes Eudoxus's diverse expertise and origin._

> Some say that when Plato gave an entertainment on one occasion, Eudoxus, as the guests were very numerous, introduced the fashion of sitting in a semicircle.

According to some accounts, Eudoxus popularized the semicircular seating arrangement at a large banquet hosted by Plato.

_Anecdote about Eudoxus's influence on social customs._

> And instead of Eudoxus, they used to call him Endoxus, on account of the brilliancy of his reputation.

He was nicknamed 'Endoxus' (meaning 'famous') because of his outstanding renown.

_Highlights the esteem in which Eudoxus was held._

## Links

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