Biography

Aristotle, one of Plato's greatest students, was born in 384 B.C. His father was a physician to the king of Macedonia, and when Aristotle turned seven his father enrolled him in Plato's Academy. First he began as a student, then a researcher, and then finally a teacher. When Plato died he encouraged the Academy to except Speusippus as his successor, instead of Aristotle. Aristotle then left Athens with fellow student, Xenocrates to go to Assos, where they opened their own branch of the Academy. This Academy was based around biology whereas Plato's focused more on mathematics. At this Academy Aristotle met Hermais, who was also a student of Plato, and later became the king of Assos. Aristotle married Hermais' neice, who died ten years later. While teaching at the Academy in Assos, Aristotle started to come up with his own ideas and philosophies instead of following Plato's. Around 343 B.C. King Philip invited Aristotle to come and tutor his thirteen year old son, Alexander, who later came to be know as "Alexander the Great." He continued to tutor Alexander, and remain the president of the Academy, until 359 B.C. when King Philip went to restrain the Greek city-states and left Alexander in charge. In 335 B.C. Aristotle returned to Athens. Speusippus had died, but Aristotle was still not granted presidency at the Academy, instead it was given to his colleague, Xenocrates. He then founded his own Academy called Lyceum, which was named after Apollo Lyceus. In 323 B.C., just twelve years after he started Lyceum, Alexander the Great had died. Riots broke out because Macedonia was now being controlled. Aristotle was accused of sin and immorality and his life was now in danger. He then left Athens for saftey and went to his late mother's estate. Aristotle died just one year later in 322 B.C.

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