The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Character
Timon of Phlius
The sharp-tongued skeptic poet who turned philosophy into satire and followed Pyrrho into a life of suspended judgment.
supporting
Also known as Timon Apollonides, Timon the Phliasian
First appearance: Timon
As a supporting figure in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Timon of Phlius is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Quoted as ridiculing Xenophon's writing style.
Timon of Phlius was a student of Pyrrho and a writer of biting satirical verse, using his Silloi to skewer the pretensions of dogmatic philosophers across the schools. He admired Plato enough to own all his writings, yet his real allegiance was to Pyrrho's radical skepticism, and he mocked everyone from dialecticians to usurers with equal relish. His habit of puncturing pomp with a well-aimed line makes him the ancient world's great debunker, and his presence in the Lives reminds readers that philosophy was as much a blood sport of wit as a search for truth.
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- Major Philosophers and Biographers
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