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

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Crates of Polemo

**First appearance:** 0038-polemo

## Snapshot

A reformed rake turned head of the Academy, whose severe dignity made Arcesilaus call him a remnant of the golden race.

## Who they are

Polemo succeeds Xenocrates at the Academy and becomes the model of the disciplined philosophical life, lecturing while walking and inspiring pupils to build huts around his garden. He praises Xenocrates' guileless nature and Doric severity, and his friendship with Crates grows so close that the two are buried in a single tomb. His devotion to Sophocles and his taste for pure Pramnian wine over sweetened drafts show a man whose rigor was matched by genuine aesthetic appetite.

## In the story

### [Book IV: The Successors of Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-iv)

A reformed profligate who became a rigorous philosopher, succeeding Xenocrates, known for his immovable demeanor and strict moral character.

### [Polemo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/polemo)

The subject of the chapter; transforms from a profligate youth into a disciplined philosopher and successor of Xenocrates.

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

Crates's teacher and close friend, with whom he shared a tomb and a kindred spirit.

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

Fellow pupil of Xenocrates and later teacher of Crantor; admired by Crantor for his balanced speech.

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

Ariston passed over to his school after falling in with him while Zeno was ill.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/polemo
- 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