A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. The son of Arcesilaus, of Lampsacus, was a distinguished peripatetic philosopher, and the tutor of Ptolemy Philadelphus. He succeeded Theophrastus as head of the school in Ol. 123, B. C. 288, and, after presiding over it eighteen years, was succeeded by Lycon. (D. L. 5.58.) He devoted himself especially to the study of natural science, whence he obtained, or, as it appears from Cicero, himself assumed the appellation of Physicus (Φυσικός). Cicero, while speaking highly of his talents, blames him for neglecting the most necessary part of philosophy, that which has respect to virtue and morals, and giving himself up to the investigation of nature. (Acad. Quaest. 1.9, de Fin. 5.5.)