Notes on the current edition
Lives of Eminent Philosophers
1.
323 b.c.
2.
In the extract from the letter Theophrastus seems to be considering the best means of preparing for publication what he has to say, possibly in lecture, before the large class which, as we have just been informed, sometimes numbered 2000. It is difficult to see how this topic can have been worked into a letter on the law courts as such, and there is much to be said for Mr. Wyse’s emendation
διδασκαλίου. If this be accepted, the whole letter would be about means or subjects of instruction in lecture.
3.
Anth. Pal vii. 110.
4.
Cf. a similar statement about Bion, also attributed to Favorinus.
5.
i.e. at Eresus.
6.
Mentioned below, §§ 53, 54, 55, 66. We infer that he had been acting as trustee not only for Theophrastus but for the School, which in the eye of the law was a religious foundation.
7.
Evidently the Museum had suffered in some recent political troubles, perhaps the second siege of Athens by Demetrius Poliorcetes, 296-294 b.c. Plut.
Demetr. 33, 34; Paus. i. 25. 8. There was, however, a serious disturbance when Athens revolted from Macedon, 289-287, for which see Plut.
Demetr. 46, and Paus. i. 25. 2; 26. 1 f. This latter event is nearer to the death of Theophrastus in Ol. 123.
8.
Cf.iv. § 70.