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Theophrastus (; ''Theόphrastos''; c. 371 – c. 287 BC〔Tiziano Dorandi, Chapter 2: ''Chronology'', in Algra et al. (1999), ''The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy'', pp. 52–3. Cambridge.〕), a Greek native of Eresos in Lesbos, was the successor to Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. He came to Athens at a young age and initially studied in Plato's school. After Plato's death, he attached himself to Aristotle. Aristotle bequeathed to Theophrastus his writings and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum. Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-six years, during which time the school flourished greatly. He is often considered the "father of botany" for his works on plants. After his death, the Athenians honoured him with a public funeral. His successor as head of the school was Strato of Lampsacus. The interests of Theophrastus were wide ranging, extending from biology and physics to ethics and metaphysics. His two surviving botanical works, ''Enquiry into Plants (Historia Plantarum)'' and ''On the Causes of Plants'', were an important influence on Renaissance science. There are also surviving works ''On Moral Characters'', ''On Sensation'', ''On Stones'', and fragments on ''Physics'' and ''Metaphysics''. In philosophy, he studied grammar and language and continued Aristotle's work on logic. He also regarded space as the mere arrangement and position of bodies, time as an accident of motion, and motion as a necessary consequence of all activity. In ethics, he regarded happiness as depending on external influences as well as on virtue and famously said that "life is ruled by fortune, not wisdom." ==Life== Most of the biographical information we have of Theophrastus was provided by Diogenes Laërtius' ''Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers'', written more than four hundred years after Theophrastus' time.〔〕 He was a native of Eresos in Lesbos.〔Strabo, xiii.; Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36, etc.〕 His given name was Tyrtamus (Τύρταμος), but he later became known by the nickname "Theophrastus," given to him, it is said, by Aristotle to indicate the grace of his conversation (from Ancient Greek Θεός "god" and φράζειν "to phrase", i.e. divine expression).〔Strabo, xiii.; Diogenes Laërtius, v. 38〕 After receiving instruction in philosophy in Lesbos from one Alcippus, he moved to Athens, where he may have studied under Plato.〔"Theophrastus is said to have studied first at Eresus under Alcippus, then at Athens under Plato. The latter report is problematic." "Theophrastus" entry in the ''Encyclopedia of classical philosophy'' (1997), page 552. Greenwood〕 He became friends with Aristotle, and when Plato died (348/7 BC) Theophrastus may have joined Aristotle in his self-imposed exile from Athens. When Aristotle moved to Mytilene on Lesbos in 345/4, it is very likely that he did so at the urging of Theophrastus.〔"Theophrastus" entry in the ''Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy'' (1997), page 552. Greenwood〕 It seems that it was on Lesbos that Aristotle and Theophrastus began their research into natural science, with Aristotle studying animals and Theophrastus studying plants. Theophrastus probably accompanied Aristotle to Macedonia when Aristotle was appointed tutor to Alexander the Great in 343/2.〔 Around 335 BC, Theophrastus moved with Aristotle to Athens where Aristotle began teaching in the Lyceum. When, after the death of Alexander, anti-Macedonian feeling forced Aristotle to leave Athens, Theophrastus remained behind as head (''scholarch'') of the Peripatetic school,〔 a position he continued to hold after Aristotle's death in 322/1. Aristotle in his will made him guardian of his children, including Nicomachus with whom he was close.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 38: "Aristippus in the fourth book of his treatise ''On Ancient Luxury'' asserts that he was enamoured of Aristotle's son Nicomachus" - Robert Drew Hicks translation. Cf. Suda, ''Nikomakhos'', ''Theophrastos''.〕 Aristotle likewise bequeathed to him his library and the originals of his works,〔"It may we be that we owe to Theophrastus the publication of some at least of his master's voluminous works." (Hort)〕 and designated him as his successor at the Lyceum.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36; comp. Aulus Gellius, xiii. 5〕 Eudemus of Rhodes also had some claims to this position, and Aristoxenus is said to have resented Aristotle's choice. Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-five years,〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36, 58〕 and died at the age of eighty-five according to Diogenes.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 40; "He is made indeed to say in the probably spurious Preface to the ''Characters'' that he is writing in his ninety-ninth year; while St. Jerome's ''Chronicle'' asserts that he lived to the age of 107" (Hort)〕 He is said to have remarked "we die just when we are beginning to live".〔Cicero, ''Tusculanae Quaestiones'', iii. 28; Jerome, ''Letter to Nepotian''; Diogenes Laërtius, v. 41.〕 Under his guidance the school flourished greatly — there were at one period more than 2000 students, Diogenes affirms,〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 36, 37.〕 and at his death, according to the terms of his will preserved by Diogenes, he bequeathed to it his garden with house and colonnades as a permanent seat of instruction. The comic poet Menander was among his pupils.〔 His popularity was shown in the regard paid to him by Philip, Cassander, and Ptolemy, and by the complete failure of a charge of impiety brought against him.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 37; comp. Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', iv. 19〕 He was honored with a public funeral, and "the whole population of Athens, honouring him greatly, followed him to the grave."〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 41〕 He was succeeded as head of the Lyceum by Strato of Lampsacus. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Theophrastus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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