Polemo c. 350 BC – c. 270 BC
Polemo (c. 350 BC – c. 270 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Polemo of Athens was a Greek philosopher and the fourth scholarch of the Platonic Academy, succeeding Xenocrates and presiding over the school for nearly forty years until his death around 270 BC. The ancient biographers tell the famous story of his youthful conversion to philosophy, when, returning drunk and crowned with garlands from a revel, he wandered into a lecture by Xenocrates and was so struck by the discourse on temperance that he abandoned his old life on the spot. As scholarch he stressed the practical and ethical orientation of Platonic philosophy and was the teacher of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Platonism, Ancient Greek Philosophy
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Polemo:
“Philosophy must change a life, not adorn it.”
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Attributed to Polemo:
“Virtue alone is sufficient for happiness.”
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Attributed to Polemo:
“We should imitate nature in living simply and rationally.”
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Attributed to Polemo:
“Words apart from deeds are no philosophy.”
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Attributed to Polemo:
“He who lives according to nature lives well.”
Polemo by topic
Frequently asked about Polemo
- When did Polemo live?
- Polemo was born in c. 350 BC and died in c. 270 BC.
- Where was Polemo from?
- Polemo was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
- What philosophical movements is Polemo associated with?
- Polemo was associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
- What was Polemo known for?
- Polemo of Athens was a Greek philosopher and the fourth scholarch of the Platonic Academy, succeeding Xenocrates and presiding over the school for nearly forty years until his death around 270 BC.
- How many quotes are attributed to Polemo?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Polemo in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.