The Ancient Greek Aristotle was a highly accomplished academic, philosopher, and scientists. Aristotle was born in 384 BC in the Macedonian town of Stagira. The young academically promising Aristotle decided to leave Macedonia to go to the place where he could teach, study as well as write to his heart’s content, Athens.
It was in Athens at the tender age of 18 that Aristotle began his two decade long association with the Academy established by the renowned Athenian philosopher Plato. Aristotle was an admirer besides being a protégé of the older Plato, yet his own contributions to human knowledge and scientific understanding were arguably much greater than his master’s had been. Plato’s most important work had been his Republic although it not been particularly with the Athenian authorities.
Teaching Alexander the Great and Opening the Lyceum
Not only did Aristotle demonstrate wide – ranging academic, scientific, and logical skills, he was also a skilful tutor. His most famous pupil was his fellow Macedonian Alexander the Great, although Alexander was more interested in achieving military victories than being a good pupil. Alexander the Great of course went on to conquer much of the known world in little over a decade.
Meanwhile his former teacher did his best to spread Greek / Macedonian learning as far and as wide as possible. It was indeed Aristotle who effectively founded the very first university in the form of the Lyceum. The opening of the Lyceum in 335 BC further increased Athens reputation as being amongst the best places of learning within the Ancient World on a par with Babylon, Persia, and Egypt.
The Rich Legacy of Aristotle
The success of the Lyceum also meant that Aristotle was able to pass all of his ideas on to his enthusiastic pupils. Aristotle went on to write about ethics, logic, mathematics, physics, and politics, with his work having a great deal of influence over many centuries. When all of Aristotle’s teachings and works are taken as a whole it provides ample evidence of his desire to explain and understand the world around him.
His major works on biology, ethics, metaphysics, and politics were made more influential by the conquests of Alexander the Great and the increased spread of Greek / Macedonian culture, knowledge, and language. The Romans, and later the Christian Churches were keen adherents of the vast majority of Aristotle’s thoughts. Indeed much of Christian doctrine and thought was based upon Aristotle’s ideas concerning metaphysics, philosophy, and physics.
Sources:
Beazley M, (2006) The History of Europe – The Rise and Fall of the Classical World, Beazley, London
Benedict G, (2008) The Watkins Dictionary of Religions and Secular Faiths, Watkins, London
Blainey G, (2004) A Very Short History of the World, Penguin, London
Lane Fox R, (2006) The Classical World – an Epic History of Greece and Rome, Penguin, London
