The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Character

Arcesilaus

The Pitanaean who founded the Middle Academy, arguing both sides of every question and suspending judgment because the reasons never agree.

supporting

Also known as O wise Arcesilaus, Arcesilaus the Pitanaean

First appearance: Arcesilaus

As a supporting figure in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Arcesilaus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A disciple of Crates who admired him and Polemo, calling them 'some gods or else a remnant of the golden race.'

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Arcesilaus arrives in Athens as a young man torn between rhetoric and philosophy, and his choice of Crantor over his brother's wishes seals his place in the Academy. He is the first to make the Platonic method of question and answer contentious, and the first to profess suspension of judgment—a stance that turns the school skeptical and unsettles dogmatists like Theophrastus. His habit of reading Homer before sleep and calling the poet his beloved shows the erudition and warmth beneath the argumentative surface.

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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In the story

Arcesilaus appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Crates
A disciple of Crates who admired him and Polemo, calling them 'some gods or else a remnant of the golden race.'
Crantor
Sought Crantor's recommendation to Polemo; inherited Crantor's property of twelve talents.
Arcesilaus
Founder of the Middle Academy, first to suspend judgment and argue both sides of a question.
Lacydes
Predecessor of Lacydes as head of the Academy.
Theophrastus
Mentioned as a source for the account of Theophrastus using a litter in old age.
Strato
Son of Strato (or possibly a relative) named as a beneficiary and executor in Strato's will.
Lycon
Referenced in connection with Hieronymus the Peripatetic's anniversary festival.
Ariston
Ariston's great enemy; Ariston mocked him with a bull having a womb and challenged an Academic philosopher who claimed not to comprehend anything.
Cleanthes
A rival philosopher; Cleanthes defended him against criticism and engaged in witty exchanges with him.
Chrysippus
Academic philosopher; Chrysippus joined him and Lacydes in the Academy, adopting the habit of arguing for and against.
Timon
Timon engaged with Arcesilaus, mocking him in the forum and in his Silloi, but also praising him in another work.

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