Critolaus, Philo, Lucretius, and the doxographical tradition on the eternity of the cosmos

This chapter reassesses the doxographical tradition concerning Critolaus’ arguments for the eternity of the cosmos as preserved in Philo’s De aeternitate mundi . By analyzing the transmission and use of a key quotation from Euripides’ Chrysippus (839 Kannicht) within the broader philosophical debate and by comparing the arguments in Philo with those in ps.-Ocellus’ De universi natura , this chapter examines the reliability of attributing specific arguments to Critolaus. Based on this analysis, it is argued that, despite Philo’s adaptations and the fragmentary nature of his work, the passages Aet. 55/69, 70, and 74 provide a reliable account of Critolaus’ views. Contrary to earlier scholarship, the analysis also suggests that the long passages between Critolaus’ syllogisms stem from the broader anti-Epicurean doxographical tradition.