Θεόφραστος
Theofrastus
Βιογραφικό σημείωμα by Patrick and Getze
The
Telegraph-Herald July 1962
ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ ΣΚΕΨΗ
Θεόφραστος
(φωτο από το δημοσίευμα)
Theofrastus
Theofrastus,
one of the world’s first writers on plant life, was master of the Lyceum (Λύκειον),
foudend by Aristotle and one of the most famous schools in history.
Theofrastus
was head of the Lyceum from 322 B.C., the year Aristotle died, to 288 B.C.. the
year of his own death.
Theofrastus was Aristotle’s favorite pupil as
well as his heir; and although as he has been described as lacking his master’s
capacity for original and imaginative thinking, he made up for it by his
diligence and careful observation of nature.
Theofrastus
was born on the island of Lesbos in 370 B.C. According to the legend, his true
name was Tyrtamus (Τύρταμος)
but he owed even his name to Aristotle, who nick-named him Theofrastus because
of his “god-like speech.”
Theofrastus
first attended school in Lesbos (μαθητής του Λεύκιππου)
and then went to Athens to study under Plato. Thus he followed the same educational
path taken by Aristotle before him.
In his will (διαθήκη),
Aristotle made Theofrastus guardian of his children and left him his library
and the originals of his works. Aristotle appointed Theofrastus his successor,
although Eudemos of Rhodes (Εύδημος ο Ρόδιος
370-300 π.Χ.) also had a right to
expect that position.
Aristotle
tactfully and delicately indicated he preferred Theofrastus to be head of the
Lyceum by saying that while the wines of Rhodes and Lesbos were both good, that
of Lesbos was sweeter.
Theofrastus
headed the Lyceum for almost 35 years. The Lyceum’s principal studies were
logic, physics, biology, psychology, ethics, politics and rhetoric. To these Theofrastus added botany, writing two
texts – “On the History of Plants” (Περί φυτών ιστορίαι)
and “The Cause of Plants” (Περί φυτών αιτιών)
– both of which were among the most important contributions any until
relatively modern times.
Theofrastus
was familiar with the plants of Greece and also had learned much about the
plants of the rest of the world – the world overrun by Alexander’s armies.
Men skilled
in describing plants and in collecting specimens and seeds accompanied Alexander
to his expedition. Their knowledge was turned over to Theofrastus and the
specimens may have included plants from which many medicines still considered
effective are made, since Alexander and his generals were chiefly interested in
plants with medicinal value.
Theofrastus’
writings on botany were standard botanical texts until the 16th century, when
the first “herbals” appeared with their beautiful illustrations and recipes.
The Telegraph-Herald,
Dubuque, Iowa, (U.S.A.), Monday, July 16, 1962, p. 4.
( o τίτλος
της εφημερίδος )
To ίδιο δημοσίευμα και στην εφημερίδα Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio, (U.S.A.), Sunday, July 15, 1962, p. B-9.
( o τίτλος
της εφημερίδος )
ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ
[ ανάρτηση 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024 :
Θεόφραστος Theofrastus
Βιογραφικό σημείωμα by Patrick and Getze
The Telegraph-Herald
July 1962
ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ
ΣΚΕΨΗ
]
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