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

LYCO.

CHAP. I.

His Life.

STrato, saith Laertius was succeeded by Lyco, Son of Astyanax of Troas, an eloquent per∣son, and excellent for the education of Children. He heard also Panthaedus the Dialectick.

He said, that as Horses need both bridle spur, so in Children there must joined both modesty and ambition. Of his florid ex∣pression is alledged this instance. Of a poor Maid hee said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A maid is a heavy burden to her Parent when she outruns the flowry season of her youth for want of •• dower. Whence An∣tigonus said of him, that as the fragrancy and pleasantnesse of an excellent apple will not admit Transplantation; so whatsoever he said was to be heard only from himself. For this sweetnesse of discourse some added the letter •• to his name, calling him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which implyeth sweetnesse: so* 1.1 Plutarch.

In stile he was very different from himself.

Upon those who were sorry they had not learned when time was, and wished it might be recalled, he jested thus. He said, that they who endeavoured to make amends by a late penitence for their past negligence, were conscious of the impossibility of their wishes; and of those that sought to bring it to passe, he said, they had lost all reason, in applying the nature of a straight line to a crooked ruler, or beholding their face in troubled water, or a confused mirrour.

He said, that to the wreath of publick games in the Forum, ma∣ny aspired; to the Olympick, few or none.

He many times by his Counsell much advantaged the Athe∣nians.

In his garments he affected neatnesse so much, that, as Her∣mippus saith, he wore an upper garment very precious and fine.

He was very expert in all exercises, active and well made for a Wrestler, being thin-ear'd and well set, as Antigonus Caryslius affirmeth: Whence in his own Country he practised the Elean Games, and played at Ball.

He was intimate with Eumenus and Attalus beyond all men, who supply'd him with many things. Antiochus also would have had him lived with him, but could not get him.

He was so great an enemy to Hieronymus the Peripatetick, that upon a solemn day (of which already in the life of Arcesilaus) he only forbore to come to him.

He compared Orators to Frogs; these, saith he, croak in the water, those by the water of an houre-glasse.

He was Master of the School forty years, succeeding Strato in the hundred twenty seventh Olympiad; as he had given order by his Will.

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* 1.2 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

  De exsulio.
• * 1.2

  For VVrast••ling and other Exercises.