# Arcesilaus — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Arcesilaus in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** O wise Arcesilaus, Arcesilaus the Pitanaean

**First appearance:** 0041-arcesilaus

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [Crates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/crates)

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

### [Crantor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/crantor)

Sought Crantor's recommendation to Polemo; inherited Crantor's property of twelve talents.

### [Arcesilaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/arcesilaus)

Founder of the Middle Academy, first to suspend judgment and argue both sides of a question.

### [Lacydes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/lacydes)

Predecessor of Lacydes as head of the Academy.

### [Theophrastus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/theophrastus)

Mentioned as a source for the account of Theophrastus using a litter in old age.

### [Strato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/strato)

Son of Strato (or possibly a relative) named as a beneficiary and executor in Strato's will.

### [Lycon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/lycon)

Referenced in connection with Hieronymus the Peripatetic's anniversary festival.

### [Ariston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/cleanthes)

A rival philosopher; Cleanthes defended him against criticism and engaged in witty exchanges with him.

### [Chrysippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/chrysippus)

Academic philosopher; Chrysippus joined him and Lacydes in the Academy, adopting the habit of arguing for and against.

### [Timon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/timon)

Timon engaged with Arcesilaus, mocking him in the forum and in his Silloi, but also praising him in another work.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/arcesilaus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters