Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume I, Diogenes Laertius's third century CE compilation translated by R. D. Hicks for the Loeb Classical Library, is the principal ancient source for figures such as Euclid of Megara, including his presence at Socrates' execution recorded via Plato's Phaedo. Its strength is that the Loeb edition pairs the original Greek with a vetted scholarly English translation, the standard way to cite ancient philosophical biography. Its limit is that Diogenes Laertius wrote centuries after many of his subjects and drew on earlier, now lost sources of varying reliability, so his account should be read as an ancient compilation rather than as eyewitness testimony.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier1
Diogenes Laertius's Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume I, translated by R. D. Hicks for the Loeb Classical Library, the top tier reflecting the Loeb edition's standard scholarly practice of pairing the original Greek with a vetted English translation, the ordinary way to cite ancient philosophical biography. Its limit is that Diogenes Laertius himself wrote centuries after many of his subjects, drawing on earlier, now lost sources of uneven reliability, so treat his account as an ancient compilation rather than eyewitness testimony. NotesBooks 1 through 5 of Diogenes Laertius's third-century CE "Lives of Eminent Philosophers," the primary ancient source for Euclid of Megara's life (Book II), including his presence, per Plato's Phaedo, at Socrates' execution in 399 BCE and his founding of the Megarian school. A primary source in scholarly translation, not a modern historical analysis of Megarian philosophy.
Citation
AuthorDiogenes Laertius, translated by R. D. Hicks
PublisherHarvard University Press (Loeb Classical Library 184)
Publication Year1925
URLhttps://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674992030
Source TypePrimary text in translation
Claims Backed By This Source (18 claims)
This source backs 18 claims across the atlas. As facts: 14 well-attested. As cited relationships: 1 connected. Plus 3 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Articles, 9 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 connected, 2 general references.
- Sources, 8 claims: 8 well-attested.
- Historical Figures, 1 claims: 1 general references.
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