Aristotle

Aristotle

Aristotle was born in Stagirus, or Stagira, or Stageirus, on the Chalcidic peninsula of northern Greece. His father was Nicomachus, a medical doctor, while his mother was named Phaestis. His father, Nicomachus, was court physician to King Amyntas III of Macedon. It is believed that Aristotle's ancestors held this position under various kings of Macedonia. As such, Aristotle's early education would probably have consisted of instruction in medicine and biology from his father. Little is known about his mother. It is known that she died early in Aristotle's life. When Nicomachus also died, when Aristotle was ten, he was left an orphan and placed under the guardianship of his uncle, Proxenus of Atarneus. He taught Aristotle Greek, rhetoric, and poetry. Aristotle was probably influenced by his father's medical knowledge. When he went to Athens at the age of 18, he was probably already trained in the investigation of natural phenomena. From the age of 18 to 37 Aristotle remained in Athens as a student of Plato. The relations between Plato and Aristotle have formed the subject of various legends, many of which depict Aristotle unfavorably.

In about 335 BC, Alexander departed for his Asiatic campaign, and Aristotle, who had served as an informal adviser since Alexander ascended the Macedonian throne, returned to Athens and opened his own school of philosophy, the Lyceum. During the thirteen years that he spent as teacher of the Lyceum, Aristotle composed most of his writings. Imitating Plato, he wrote Dialogues in which his doctrines were expounded in somewhat popular language. He also composed the several treatises on physics, metaphysics, and so forth. During the last years of Aristotle's life the relations between him and Alexander became very strained. Nevertheless, Aristotle continued to be regarded at Athens as a friend of Alexander and a representative of Macedonia. He took up residence at his country house at Chalcis, in Euboea, and there he died the following year, 322 BC. His death was due to a disease, reportedly 'of the stomach', from which he had long suffered. The story that his death was due to hemlock poisoning, as well as the legend that he threw himself into the sea "because he could not explain the tides," is without historical foundation.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle