CHAP. I.
His Country, Parents, Time, Banishment.
a 1.1 DIOGENES was of Sinopis, a City of Pontus, his Father named Icesius, or, as others, Icetes; by profession a mony-changer.
He was born (as appears by computation from his death, which was in the 90t year of his age, in the first year of the 114t Olym∣piad, Hegesias being Archon) about the third year of the 91st Olympiad. Suidas saith, he was first called Cleon.
Diocles saith, his Father trading publickly in exchange of mo∣ny, was surprised, coining false mony, and thereupon fled: But Eubulides saith, Diogenes himselfe did it, and fled together with his Father; even Diogenes in his Podalus, acknowledgeth as much. Some affirme, that being made overseer, he was perswaded by the work-men to go to Delphi, or Delus, the Country of Apollo, to en∣quire of the Oracle if he should do that whereto he was advised, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is of ambiguous signification, implying, to alter the course of life, and to coine false mony. The Oracle assented: Diogenes not understanding it in the Civill sense, betook himselfe to coyning, and being taken in the act, was banished, or, as others say, fled for fear. Some affirme, he adulterated the mony he received from his Father, for which the Father was cast in prison, and there dyed; the Son fled, and coming to Delphi, enquired of the Oracle by what means he should become emi∣nent, whereupon he received that answer.
b 1.2 When he left his Country, one of his servants followed him, named Manes, who not enduring his conversation ran away from him; some perswaded Diogenes to enquire after him, who answer'd, Were it not a shame, since Manes doth not need Dioge∣nes, that Diogenes should need Manes. The fellow wandring up and down came at last to Delphi, where he was torn in pieces by doggs.