Plato

Socrates

Plato was Socrates' most famous student, recording his teachings and philosophy.

Speusippus

Speusippus was Plato's nephew and succeeded him as head of the Academy.

Aristotle

Aristotle was Plato's most brilliant student, later founding his own rival school.

Antisthenes

Antisthenes and Plato were philosophical rivals, with Antisthenes criticizing Plato's theory of Forms.

Xenocrates

Xenocrates was a student of Plato and later became head of the Academy.

Speusippus

Speusippus was Plato's nephew and succeeded him as head of the Academy.

Antisthenes

Antisthenes and Plato were philosophical rivals, with Antisthenes criticizing Plato's theory of Forms.

Xenocrates

Xenocrates was a student of Plato and later became head of the Academy.

Xenocrates

Xenocrates was a student of Plato and later became head of the Academy.

Antisthenes

Antisthenes and Plato were philosophical rivals, with Antisthenes criticizing Plato's theory of Forms.

The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

Student of Socrates, founder of the Academy, and author of philosophical dialogues.

Pittacus

Referenced as quoting Pittacus's saying 'It is a hard thing to be good' in his dialogue Protagoras.

Periander

Mentioned as contradicting Aristotle's claim that the wise Periander was the Corinthian tyrant.

Myson

Mentions Myson in his Protagoras, placing him among the wise men instead of Periander.

Book II

Visited Euclides after Socrates' death; criticized Aristippus in his writings; reproached Aristippus for his expensive lifestyle.

Socrates

Mentioned as a recorder of Socrates' conversations in the Theaetetus and Phaedo, and as a chief successor.

Xenophon

Xenophon felt a spirit of rivalry with Plato, and they are compared in terms of their diction.

Aeschines

Looked down upon Aeschines in Sicily; attributed Crito's advice to Socrates in prison to Aeschines according to Idomeneus.

Aristippus

Reproached Aristippus for his expensive lifestyle and is said to have remarked on his ability to wear both a whole cloak and rags.

Euclides

Came to Euclides after Socrates' death, fearing the tyrants.

Book III: The Life, Will, and Legacy of Plato

Central figure; his will, death, and legacy are detailed, along with anecdotes about his character and teachings.

Plato

Central figure; his life, travels to Sicily, philosophical innovations, and death are detailed.

Book IV: The Successors of Plato

Mentioned as the teacher of Xenocrates and Speusippus, and for his observations on their characters.

Speusippus

Speusippus's uncle and predecessor; his sister Potone was Speusippus's mother.

Xenocrates

Xenocrates' teacher; compared him to Aristotle and urged him to 'sacrifice to the Graces.'

Aristotle

Aristotle's teacher; the chapter notes that Aristotle joined Plato at age 17 and remained with him for twenty years.

Theophrastus

Theophrastus attended his lectures before joining Aristotle.

Antisthenes

Mentioned as someone who spoke ill of Antisthenes, prompting Antisthenes' remark about a royal privilege.

Diogenes

Engages in a famous exchange with Diogenes about washing vegetables versus courting Dionysius.

Book VII: The Stoic Doctrine of Virtue and Indifferents

Mentioned in connection with the doctrine of community of women among the wise.

Book VIII: The Pythagorean and Promiscuous Philosophers

Mentioned in relation to Eudoxus' studies and his exclusion from the Pythagorean school, as well as his influence on Eudoxus.

Pythagoras

Mentioned as having tried to purchase the three celebrated books of Philolaus for a hundred minae.

Archytas

Recipient of Archytas's letters and saved by him from execution by Dionysius; exchanged philosophical commentaries with Archytas.

Philolaus

Wrote to Dion to purchase the books of Pythagoras from Philolaus; later bought Philolaus's book in Sicily.

Eudoxus

Eudoxus was a pupil of Plato according to Sotion; later returned to Athens with disciples, possibly to annoy Plato.

Democritus

Plato allegedly wished to burn Democritus's writings but was dissuaded by Pythagoreans.

Protagoras

Referenced as the author of a dialogue addressed to Protagoras and as a source for Protagoras's views on the soul and senses.