Demetrius Lacon or Demetrius of Laconia (Greek: Δημήτριος; fl. late 2nd century BC) was an Epicurean philosopher, and a disciple of Protarchus.[1] He was an older contemporary of Zeno of Sidon and a teacher of Philodemus. Sextus Empiricus quotes part of a commentary by Demetrius on Epicurus, where Demetrius interprets Epicurus' statement that "time is an accident of accidents."[2]
Papyrus scrolls containing portions of the works of Demetrius were discovered at the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum. The major works partially preserved are:[3]
- Quaestiones convivales (PHerc. 1006)
- On the Puzzles of Polyaenus (PHerc. 1083, 1258, 1429, 1642, 1647, 1822)
- On Geometry (PHerc. 1061)
- On Poems (PHerc. 188, 1014)[4]
- two untitled works (PHerc. 1786, 124)
In addition, he is the probable author of the following works:
- On the Size of the Sun (PHerc. 1013)
- On Fickleness (PHerc. 831)
- an untitled work on textual criticism of Epicurus' writings (PHerc. 1012)[5]
- an untitled theological work (PHerc. 1055)[6]
- an untitled rhetorical work (PHerc. 128)
References edit
- ^ Diogenes Laertius, x. 26; Strabo, xiv. 2. 20
- ^ Sextus Empiricus, Against the professors, 10.219-27
- ^ John T. Fitzgerald, Dirk Obbink, Glenn Stanfield Holland, (2004), Philodemus and the New Testament World, page 10. BRILL.
- ^ Demetrius Lacon, La poesia: (PHerc. 188 e 1014), ed. Costantina Romeo. Naples 1988.
- ^ Demetrius Lacon, Aporie testuali ed esegetiche in Epicuro (PHerc. 1012), ed. Enzo Puglia. Naples 1988.
- ^ Demetrius, Lacon, La forma del Dio: PHerc. 1055, ed. Mariacarolina Santoro. Naples 2000.
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