1001Philosophers

Heraclides Ponticus c. 387 BC – c. 312 BC

Heraclides Ponticus (c. 387 BC – c. 312 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Heraclides Ponticus was a Greek philosopher of the early Academy, born at Heraclea on the Pontus and trained at Athens under Plato. A polymath of extraordinary range, he wrote on physics, astronomy, rhetoric, music, history, and the soul, and was credited in antiquity with the doctrine that the Earth rotates daily on its own axis while the heavens stand still, and with the proposal that the inner planets orbit the Sun rather than the Earth. He developed an atomistic-corpuscular natural philosophy distinct from that of Democritus and wrote vivid philosophical dialogues, only fragments of which survive.

Key facts

Nationality
Greek
Era
Ancient
Movements
Platonism, Ancient Greek Philosophy

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Heraclides Ponticus:

    “The Earth turns daily on its own axis.”

  • Attributed to Heraclides Ponticus:

    “The world is composed of separate, indivisible bodies.”

  • Attributed to Heraclides Ponticus:

    “The soul is a luminous body.”

  • Attributed to Heraclides Ponticus:

    “Pythagoras was the first to call himself a philosopher, that is, a lover of wisdom.”

  • Attributed to Heraclides Ponticus:

    “Astronomy frees the soul from the prison of the senses.”

Frequently asked about Heraclides Ponticus

When did Heraclides Ponticus live?
Heraclides Ponticus was born in c. 387 BC and died in c. 312 BC.
Where was Heraclides Ponticus from?
Heraclides Ponticus was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Heraclides Ponticus associated with?
Heraclides Ponticus was associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
What was Heraclides Ponticus known for?
Heraclides Ponticus was a Greek philosopher of the early Academy, born at Heraclea on the Pontus and trained at Athens under Plato.
How many quotes are attributed to Heraclides Ponticus?
There are 5 attributed quotations from Heraclides Ponticus in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.