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

CHAP. XII.

His Will and Death.

THus continuing a single life to his end, not having any Heirs of his own, he bequeathed his Estate to young Adi∣mantus, (probably the Son of Adimantus, his second Brother) by his will; thus recited by Laertius.

These things Plato hath Bequeathed and disposed, The Eniphistidaean grounds bordering North, on the high way from the Cephisian Temple, South on the Heracleum of the Eniphistiades, East on Archestratus the Phrearian, West Philip the Cholidian, this let it not be lawfull for any man to sell or alienate, but let young Adimantus be possessour thereof in

as full and ample manner as is possible. And likewise the Enerisiadaean Farm which I bought of Callimachus, adjoyning on the North to Eu∣rymedon the Myrrinusian, on the South to Demostratus Xypeteron, on the East to Eurymedon the Myrrinusian, on the West to Cephissus; Three minae of Silver; a Golden Cup weighing 160. a ring of Gold, and an earing of Gold, both together weighing four drachmes and three aboli; Euclid the Stone-Cutter oweth me three Minae, Diana I remit freely, I leave Servants, Ticho, Bictas Apolloniades, Dionysius Goods, whereof Demetrius keepeth an Inventory. I ow no man any thing, Executors, Sosthenes, Speusippus, Demetrius, Hegias, Eu∣rimedon, Callimachus, Thrasippus.

If this Will be not forged, that of Apuleius is false,* 1.1 who a∣verrs the Patrimony he left was a little Orchard adjoyning to the Acade∣my, two servants, and a Cup wherein he supplicated to the Gods; Gold no more then he wore in his ear when he was a boy, an Emblem of his Nobility.

He died in the 13^t• year of the Reign of Philip King of Macedon,* 1.2 in the first of the 108. Olympiad; the 81. (according to Hermip∣pus, Cicero, Seneca, and others) of his age (not as Athenaeus the 82.) which number he compleated exactly, dying that very day whereon he was born; For which reason the Magi at Athens sa∣crificed to him, as conceiving him more than man, who fulfilled the most perfect number, nine multiplyed into it self.

He died only of age,* 1.3 which Seneca ascribes to his temperance and diligence; Hermippus saith, at a Nuptiall Feast; Cicero saith, as he was writing; they therefore who affirm he dyed (as Phere∣cydes) of lice, do him much injury;* 1.4 upon his Tomb these Epitaphs.

The first.

Whose Temperance and Iustice all envies, The fam'd Aristocles here buried lies; If Wisdom any with renown indued, Here was it most, by envy not pursued.

The second.

Earth in her bosom Plato's body hides, His Soul amongst the deathlesse Gods resides Aristo's Son; whose fame to strangers spread, Made them admire the sacred life he lead.

Another later.

Eagle, why art thou pearcht upon this stone, And gaz••st thence on some Gods starry throne? I Plato's Soul to Heaven flownrepresent, His body buried in this Monument.

Phavorinus saith, that Mithridates the Persian set up Plato's statue in the Academy with this Inscription;

MITHRIDATES SON OF RHODOBATES, THE PERSIAN, DEDICATED THIS I∣MAGE OF PLATO, MADE BY SILANION TO THE MUSES.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dogn 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Laert.
• * 1.3

  Epist. 1. 5••.
• * 1.4

  Laert.