History, biography, and politics in Critolaus
Abstract
This chapter first investigates the views held by Critolaus on the role the philosopher should play in politics in general, and more specifically, the role he reserves for himself. Alluding to his own participation in the famous Philosophers’ Embassy to Rome, he argues for limiting it to cases of great importance and comparing it to the function of the Athenian state ship Salaminia. The chapter then discusses his evaluation of various Athenian politicians, also in relation to his views on rhetoric, and finally argues that there is no sufficient evidence to postulate the existence of a grammarian and historian Critolaus of unknown provenance. Rather, the respective fragments may stem from the Peripatetic.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical Art and Culture Studies
Philippine History and Culture
Theater
Performance
and Music History
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Critolaus of Phaselis
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Pages
- 162–203
- Publication date
- 16 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter