Strato of LampsacusCarey Whitaker

Strato’s Life

Lived in the fourth or third century BCE.

Born on coast of Hellespont.

Greek Philosopher.

Possibly founded a school in Athens in 306 BCE.

Died 269 BCE.

Successor of Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher who studied under Aristotle.

Strato

Spent much of his time in Greece and Alexandria.

Focused most of his time working on Physics by studying his surroundings.

He watched raindrops fall off a roof.

If they fell one after the other the first drop would begin to move away from the second.

Because of this, Strato discovered that objects accelerate as they fall.

Strato in Alexandria

Ptolemy I was impressed with Strato’s theories.

Strato moved to Alexandria.

There he became the tutor for Ptolemy II Philadephus.

He also was involved in the Museum of Alexandria.

Ptolemy II Philadelphus became well known for his promotion of the Library and Museum as well bringing scholars to work in the sciences.

Ptolemy II

Lyceum

Elected to head of Lyceum after Theophrastus’ death around 278 BCE.

Lyceum- An Athenian School founded by Aristotle in 335 BCE.

Held the position for 18 years until he died.

Worked to reform some of Aristotle's’ philosophical ideas.

Stratos’ writings are not extant so most of what we know is based on him being mentioned in other texts.

Stripped Aristotelian world picture of all transcendental elements.

He refused to acknowledge reality of anything not subject to natural laws.

Tried to bring all reality under the same laws when discussing the physical universe.

He believed that the universe is self sustaining.

The universe is in no need of a divine element or being.

Against the belief of Aristotle.

Weights and movements cause all things.

Bibloraphy

Reale, Giovanni. A History of Ancient Philosophy III: Systems of the Hellenistic Age. New York: 1985. 103-106

Strato of Lampascus. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Strato_of_Lampsacus.aspx