The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Menippus explained
This chapter recounts the life of Menippus, a Cynic philosopher of Phoenician descent who was born a slave but later became wealthy through usury, only to lose everything and die by suicide.
What happens
This chapter recounts the life of Menippus, a Cynic philosopher of Phoenician descent who was born a slave but later became wealthy through usury, only to lose everything and die by suicide. It also notes that his writings were humorous and sometimes attributed to others, and lists several other men named Menippus.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Legacy
Menippus's suicide after losing his wealth and the disputed authorship of his works highlight themes of mortality and posthumous reputation.
Ethics and Self-Control
Menippus's miserly habits and eventual despair contrast with Cynic ideals of self-sufficiency and detachment from material wealth.
Characters to notice
- Menippus of Gadara
A Cynic philosopher, Phoenician by descent, formerly a slave, who became rich through lending money at daily interest and later lost his fortune, leading to his suicide by hanging.
Key passages
“He never wrote anything serious, but his writings are full of ridiculous matter, and in some respects similar to those of Meleager, who was his contemporary.”
His works were entirely humorous and satirical, resembling those of his contemporary Meleager.
Describes the tone and style of Menippus's literary output.
“But at last he fell into a snare and lost all his money, and in a fit of despair he hung himself, and so he died.”
Eventually he was tricked, lost his entire fortune, and in despair committed suicide by hanging.
Recounts the tragic end of Menippus's life.