Dicaearchus of Messene

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Dicaearchus of Messene, Greek philosopher (c. 320). A student of Aristotle's and therefore of the "Peripatetic" school -- i.e., educated at the Lyceum-- Dicaearchus is best known for his treatises on comparative government and the condition of the people of Athens.

Political Works

Life in Greece, a study of the "moral, political, and social conditions" (Britannnica 1911) of the people.

Tripoliticos, a study of comparative government. Following Aristotle, Dicaearchus breaks all governments into three categories: the one, the few, and the many. Unlike his teacher, however, he advocates a "mixed" government, echoing the Spartan system, in which elements of all three categories play a part. This may have been an inspiration for Cicero's De Republica.

Philosophical Works

Lesbiaci, a dialogue in three books. An argument for the mortality of the soul.

Other

Dicaearchus was once credited with a description of Greece now credited to Dionsysus, son of Calliphon.

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