D. Philosophy.— The fourth and last sphere of literary activity in the Attic period is that of philosophical prose. Here there are but two writers of commanding eminence, Plato and Aristotle. With the philosophical views and doctrines of these world-famous thinkers we are not here concerned. We shall merely sketch their literary achievements. Plato (c. 427-347 ac.), founder of the Academy, is regarded by many critics as the greatest master of Greek prose style. His beautiful prose is often akin to poetry and reveals a literary artist of vivid imagination, inimitable charm, and keenest wit. In Plato's we have a comprehen sive exposition of the ethical views of his teacher, Socrates who left no writings. Per haps the best known of the works of Plato is the (q.v.), which is an inquiry into the nature of justice and a description of an ideal state founded on this virtue. Of peculiar interest is the series of dialogues concerned with the last days and death of Socrates, namely, the (Euthyphro,' the (Socrates' speech in his own defence when on trial for his life), the (Crito,' and the (on the immor tality of the soul).
Under the name of Aristotle (384-322 ac.), Plato's pupil, an incredibly large collection of writings has come down to us. It is probable that some of these works were written by his pupils, perhaps on the basis of lecture-notes. Aristotle was a profound thinker and investi gator and followed the most varied interests; his treatises, therefore, are concerned with di verse subjects. Students of literature and the drama are especially interested in the (the art of Persuasion) and the (a treatise on the poetic art (q.v.). Aristotle's style has little charm ; it is scientific prose which at times is easily intelligible and then again in volves difficulty of interpretation largely through the technical terminology.
IV. The Alexandrian Age (c. 300 B.C. 146 B.C.).— After the 4th century B.C. Athens no longer occupied the supreme position in literature and the arts. Alexander's conquests were not only followed by Athenian political decline but Hellenic culture was spread widely throughout Asia and Egypt and gave the im pulse to the founding and rapid growth of new Greek cities. Alexandria, founded by the Mace donian conqueror in 332 B.C. became a centre of learning with a Museum and large library which attracted numerous scholars, teachers, and students. Grammar and lexicography were much studied. Editions of selected classic writers of previous centuries, with comment aries, were industriously produced by such learned scholars as Zenodotus, Aristophanes of Byzantium, and Aristarchus, all of whom won fame, particularly in the study of the Homeric poems. But in general it may be said that the creative age was over. Erudition, scholarship and literary industry flourished during the Alexandrian Age but there were few works of great originality such as had almost been the rule during the Attic Period. A brilliant ex
ception is Theocritus (3d century a.c.), who lived in Sicily, Alexandria and Cos. He was the founder of pastoral poetry and his charming bucolic idyls have enjoyed great popularity and have ever profoundly influenced poetry of this type, as, for example, Virgil in his 'Bucolics' (Eclogues) and numerous English poets, e.g, Tennyson. The names of Bion of Smyrna (contemporary of Theocritus) with his 'La ment for Adonis,' and of Moschus (c. 140 ac.), author of the (Lament for Biol.') and 'Europa,' are generally coupled with that of Theocritus, a greater master in poetry of this genre. Other poets of the age are the erudite Alexandrian Callimachus (c. 260 ac.), composer of hymns, elegies and epigrams, and Apollonius of Rhodes, author of the epic poem, the a source for Virgil. In this period likewise we may place the (Mimes) of Herondas, and the astronomical verses of Aratus. The excellent history of Polybius (c. 150 a.c.) is a valuable source of information particularly for the first Punic War. See IDYLS OF THEOCRITUS, BION AND MOSC H US.
V. The Graeco-Roman Age (146 B.C.-527 A.D.).— In any sketch of Greek literature no hard and fast line can be drawn between the Alexandrian and Roman Ages. Literary ac tivity continued to flourish without any break throughout the Greek world under Roman sway or, rather let us say, throughout the politically supreme Roman Empire which was dominated by Greek culture. The one great original genius of this age is Lucian (2d century A.D.), the pioneer and master in a new field, the romance. Born in Syria, he traveled and studied widely, residing for a time in Athens. Lucian is rhetorician, satirist, sceptic and wit, all in one. Very famous are the satiric Dia logues 'Of the Dead,'
the Gods,' and `Of the Sea,' and his 'True History,' a model much imitated by writers of extravagant fiction ever since Lucian's day. In the province of biography, Plutarch (1st century A.D.) won fame by his
Lives) and
Worthy of mention are the
of Strabo (1st century B.c.), the guide-book of Pausanias (2d. century A.D.), a work of great value for a knowledge of Greek monuments and topography ; the general history of Diodorus Siculus; the excellent literary criticism of Dionysius of Halicarnassus (1st century ac.), and pseudo-Longinus; the Roman histories of Appian. and Dio Cassius ; the historical treatise on Alexander of Arrian; the
of the Jews' of Josephus; the useful miscellany, the
of Athenxus (c. 200 A.D.); the compilations of Stobzus; the medical works of Galen, and the notable