THE ACADEMY AND THE LYCEUM
Click here to learn about the Academy!
Click here to learn about the Lyceum!
Scroll down to learn more about what Plato and Aristotle have in common, as well as, philosophy.
INDIRECT OSTRACISM
Plato and Aristotle both left Athens for a time and returned, though I don't think either expected to do so. After the death of Socrates, Plato was devastated, and he left the city. Plato traveled for twelve years, possibly studying with the Pythagoreans in Italy. When Plato retired from teaching at the Academy, Aristotle did not get the job, though he would have been a logical choice. It was because Aristotle was born in Macedonia, and the people were skeptical of him because they were afraid he was an enemy of the state. As the Macedonian Empire grew, Aristotle left town. He claimed that he left so that "Athens would not sin twice against philosophy," as stated by my professor (with the first time being the death of Socrates; Aristotle left so he would not be killed as well). These two philosophers leaving their city and returning reminds me of the concept of ostracism. I know they were not exactly forced to leave (Aristotle kind of was), but still, it is similar to me. At first the city was in one mindset (skeptical of Socrates and worried about Macedonians, respectively), so Plato and Aristotle left for a time. When they returned, the city was more welcoming to them. The city just needed time to cool down, so to speak. Also, this was a good time for Plato and Aristotle to think. Because they were off on their own, away from the business of the city, the environment was right for them to put together their ideas.
WORKING OUT YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND
One concept that I thought was interesting was that there was a gymnasium at both the Academy and the Lyceum. I agree that it is necessary to work out both your body and your mind, and I think that people in modern day do not remember this enough. People like to concentrate on either physical fitness or mental growth, but I believe it is necessary to focus on both. It is fitting that there was a gym in these schools because Socrates was very into physical fitness, and Socrates influenced Plato, and Plato taught Aristotle. I wonder if gymnasiums are present in modern schools because of Plato and Aristotle's inclusion of them in their schools.
SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR
The Academy and the Lyceum are on opposite sides of Athens.
A Trip to the Museum
From the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York
Title: Bronze statuette of a philosopher on a lamp stand
When: late first century BC
Where: Ostia Antica in Italy
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It was difficult for me to find artifacts that are related to ancient philosophy, but I managed to find this statuette (though it is from a little later in history than the rest of the artifacts). It is a recreation of a Hellenistic marble statue from the third century BC. I admire the detail put into this artwork. It is quite small, standing at 10 3/4 inches tall and weighing 6.4 pounds. Like the statue of Apollo the Python-Slayer, this statue has eyes with holes made for the pupil/iris. However, to me, this statuette looks much less creepy than the statue, and not one bit serpentine but entirely human. The statuette captures the essence of a philosopher well, as the man appears to be deep in thought.
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I am curious as to why this philosopher is standing on a lamp stand. Was that commonplace for statuettes of that time? Is "lamp stand" just a general term for the column he is standing on? Also, is this statuette modeled after a particular philosopher, or is this just modeled after the general philosopher?