Critolaus of Phaselis: Essays on Second Century BC Peripatetic Philosophy

This is the first volume in over a century devoted to the second-century bce Peripatetic philosopher Critolaus of Phaselis, covering his views on cosmology, god, ethics, rhetoric, and politics.

Critolaus of Phaselis was the most prominent Aristotelian philosopher of the second century bce; he was at the center of debates in ethics and rhetoric, and there is evidence that he also developed views on the nature of the soul, god, and the cosmos, as well as on politics and history. Nothing that he wrote survives in full, but aspects of his doctrine are known from references in later literature. This volume explores every aspect of his work, reconstructing Critolaus’ philosophical convictions and analyzing his position in the context of Hellenistic philosophy, especially in relation to Stoic philosophy.

Critolaus of Phaselis offers fascinating insights into an understudied figure. The book is suitable for students and scholars of Aristotelian and Peripatetic philosophy, as well as Hellenistic philosophy more broadly.

Robert Mayhew is Professor of Philosophy at Seton Hall University. He has published widely on ancient Greek philosophy and science, and especially on Aristotle and his followers. He has recently co-edited three volumes published by Routledge in the series Rutgers University Studies in Classical Humanities.

Stefan Schorn is editor-in-chief of Die Fragmente der Griechischen Historiker Continued. Part IV: Biography and Antiquarian Literature, part of the continuation project of Felix Jacoby’s monumental enterprise. He has often contributed to the RUSCH series and co-edited Historiography and Mythography in the Aristotelian Mirabilia (2023).