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CHAP. II.
His first Education and Studies.
a 1.1 N Icomachus and Phaestis the Parents of Aristotle being both dead, he was brought up by Proxenus an Atarnean, during which time being yet very young, he learned the Liberall Scien∣ces, as appeareth, saith Ammonius, from those writings of his which partly concern Poetry, partly the Poets themselves, as likewise from his Homericall questions, and severall Books of the Art of Rhetorick.
b 1.2 In gratitude for this care taken by Proxenus in his education, Aristotle afterwards, not only bred up in like manner Nica••or, the Son of Proxenus, in all kinds of Learning, but adopted him his Son, and with his Estate bequeathed his Daughter to him. c 1.3 He likewise caused the Statues of Proxenus and his wife, to be made and set up in honour of them, as is manifest by his Will.
d 1.4 Athenaeus (citing an Epistle of Epicure) ande 1.5 Aelian relate, that having consumed the inheritance left by his Father in prodi∣gality and luxury; he betook himself to the Warres, wherein having ill successe, he profess'd Medicine, and by chance, coming into Plato's School, and hearing their disputes, being of a wit far beyond the rest, he addicted himself to Philosophy, and became famous therin. But this agrees not wel with the circumstances of his story, as related by Authors of greater credit and lesse pre∣judice.