A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἡράκλειτος), of Ephesus, surnamed φυσικός, son of Blyson, a philosopher generally considered as belonging to the Ionian school, though he differed from their principles in many respects. He is said to have been instructed by Hippasus of Metapontum, a Pythagorean, or by Xenophanes, the founder of the Eleatic schol, but neither statement rests on any probable foundation. We read that in his youth he travelled extensively, and that after his return to Ephesus the chief magistracy was offered him, which, however, transferred to his brother. He gave, as his reason for declining it, the infamous state of morals prevalent in the city, and employed himself in playing at dice with boys near the temple of Artemis, informing the passers by that this was a more profitable occupation than to attempt the hopeless task of governing them. He appears afterwards to have become a complete recluse, rejecting even the kindnesses offered by Dareius, and at last retreating to the mountains, where he lived on pot-herbs,but, after some time, he was compelled by the sickness consequent on such meagre diet to return to Ephesus, where he died. As to the manner of his death, various absurd stories are related. His age at the time of his death is said, on Aristoale's authority, to have been sixty (D. L. 9.3, compared with 8.52), and he flourished about the 69th Olympiad (Ib. 9.1), being later than Pythagoras, Xenophanes, and Hecattaeus, whom he mentions. With this date Suidas agrees, and hence Chnton (F. H. vel. ii ) places him under the year B. C. 513.

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