The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. II.

His Will and Death.

Laertius produceth a Will of his to this effect.

THVS I dispose of my estate, if I shall not recover of this sicknesse. All that is in my house I bequeath to the Brethren, Astyanax and Lyco, out of which is to be paid whatsoever I owe at Athens to any man, as also the charges of my Funerall and Exequies. What is in the City and Aegina, I bestow upon Lyco, because he is of our name, and hath lived long with us, to our great content, as one that deserved the place of a Son. The Peripatum I leave to those friends that will make use of it, as Bulo, Callinus, Aristo, Amphio, Lyco, Pytho, Aristomachus, Heracli∣us, Lycomedes, Lyco my Kinsman. Let them put him in that place who they conceive will persevere in it, and dis∣charge it best, which let the rest of my friends confirm for my sake and the places. My Funerall and the burning of my Body be so ordered by Bulo and Callinus, that it be not prodigall nor niggardly. Out of my ••state at Aegina, let Lyco after my death give to the young men as much Oyle as shall serve their turnes, that hereby the memory of me and him that honours me may be justly preserved. Let them set up my* 1.1 Statue,

and choose a fit place for the setting up of it, wherein let Dio∣phantus and Heraclides, son of Demetrius assist them. Out of my Rents in the City, let Lyco pay all that I have named after his departure; in the next place let Bu••o and Callinus and the expenses of my funerall be discharged. Let that houshold stuffe be taken away which I have left as common betwixt them. Let likewise the Physicians Pasithe∣mis and Midas be honoured and rewarded for their care of me, and for their skill. To the son of Callinus I leave a couple of Thericlean Pots, and to his Wife, a couple of Goblets, and a fine Carpet, and a shaggy Carpet, and a Coverlet, and two Couch beds, the best that are left, that we may not seem unmindfull of their due respect towards us. As for those that served me, I order thus: Demetrius, who hath been long a Free man, I forgive the price of his redemption; and bestow upon him five Minae, and a Cloak and a Coat; and, as having undergone many labours with me, let him be de∣cently supplyed with necessaries. Crito, the Chalcidonian, I forgive the price of his redemption, and bestow further on him foure Minae Micrus also I manumit, whom let Lyco bring up, and six years hence let him instruct him. In like manner I manumit Chares, whom let Lyco also bring up; I give him two Minae, and my bookes, that have been published: The rest that have not been published, let them be given to Callinus, and let him take diligent care for the publishing of them. To Syrus the Free-man I give foure Minae, and Menodora, and if he owe me any thing, I for∣give it him. To Hilara I give five Minae, a shaggy C••ver∣let, two Couch-beds, a Carpet, and which bed he shall choose. I manumit likewise the Mother of Micrus, and Noe∣mones, and Dion, and Theon, and Euphranor, and Hermias; as also Agatho, after he hath served two years more; as also Ophelio and Possidonius, the bearers of my Litter, after they have served four years more, I will that they be set at liberty. I give moreover to Demetrius, Crito, and Syrus, to each a Bed and Coverlet, such as Lyco shall think sit. This I bestow on them, for as much as they have

express'd themselves faithfull in the performance of such things as were committed to their charge. As for my buriall, whether Lyco will have it here or at home, let it be as he will; for I perswade my selfe, he will do what is fitting no lesse then if I had done it my selfe. When he shall have faith∣fully performed thes•• things, let the bequests of my Will re∣main firm. Witnesses, Callinus, an Hermione••n, Aristo, the Chian, Euphronius, a Poeaniean.

Thus, saith Laertius, having wisely managed all things ap∣pertaining to Learning and Humanity, his prudence and dili∣gence extended even to the making of his Will; so that in that respect also he deserveth studiously to be imitated.

He died 74 years old of the Gout.

There were foure of this name.

The first, a Pythagor••an, mentioned in the life of Aristotle.

The second, this Peripatetick.

The third, an Epick Poet.

The fourth, an Epigrammatick Poet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  For VVrast••ling and other Exercises.