Aristotle Ancient Greek Philosopher

Aristotle, one of the most well known Greek philosophers, was born in Stageira, Chaldice in 384 BC. His Father, being the personal physician to King Amentas may have been his original inspiration and the trigger to his future scientific achievements.

He was well educated. In fact, being of a noble family he was given more benefits than an average Greek boy. He was educated to be a member of the Aristocracy. He studied at Platos academy where he stayed for nearly 20 years after which he left Athens.

He then went to the court of his friend Hermias of Aterneus in Asia minor.While in Asia he travelled far and wide, researched the botany and zoology of the island of Lesbos. He married Pythias Hermias adoptive daughter. After Hermias death he was asked by Philip 2 of Macedon to be his sons tutor.

Aristotle was appointed as the head of the royal academy of Macedon. During that time he gave lessons not only to Alexander, but also to two other future kings: Ptolemy and Cassander. In his Politics, Aristotle states that only one thing could justify monarchy, and that was if the virtue of the king and his family were greater than the virtue of the rest of the citizens put together.

By 335 BC he had returned to Athens, establishing his own school there known as the Lyceum. Aristotle conducted courses at the school for the next twelve years. While in Athens, his wife Pythias died and Aristotle became involved with Herpyllis of Stageira, who bore him a son whom he named after his father,Nicomachus. According to the Suda, he also had an eromenos, Palaephatus of Abydus.

It is during this period in Athens from 335 to 323 BC when Aristotle is believed to have composed many of his works. Aristotle wrote many dialogues, only fragments of which survived. The works that have survived are in treatise form and were not, for the most part, intended for widespread publication, as they are generally thought to be lecture aids for his students. His most important treatises include Physics, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, De Anima (On the Soul) and Poetics.

Near the end of Alexanders life he suspected plots against himself and sent threatening letters to Aristotle. Aristotle made no secret of his contempt for Alexanders fake divinity and fled to his mothers home in Chalcis stating that he would not allow Athenians to sin twice against philosophy.(maybe in reference to the execution of Socrates).

He died of natural causes and was buried, as per his will, next to his wife.

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