Metrocles

Also known as Metrocles of Maroneia

Metrocles (; fl. c. 325 BC) was a Cynic philosopher from Maroneia. He studied in Aristotle’s Lyceum under Theophrastus, and eventually became a follower of Crates of Thebes, who married Metrocles’ sister Hipparchia. Very little survives of his writings, but he is important as one of the first Cynics to adopt the practice of writing moral anecdotes (chreiai) about Diogenes and other Cynics.

Key facts

Philosopher.name: Metrocles of Maroneia
Philosopher.native_name: Μητροκλῆς
Philosopher.birth_date: c. 350 BC
Philosopher.birth_place: Maroneia, Thrace
Philosopher.death_date: c. 280 BC
Philosopher.region: Western philosophy
Philosopher.era: Hellenistic philosophy
Philosopher.school_tradition: Cynicism

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date of birth: 0400-01-01
date of death: 0300-01-01
significant place: Ancient Maroneia

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Life
Writings
References
References
External links

==Life== The supposed story of Metrocles' conversion to Cynicism is reported by Diogenes Laërtius. Metrocles had apparently farted while practicing a speech, and became so upset that he shut himself up in his home, attempting to commit suicide by starving himself. Crates visited him and made him a dinner of lupines, explaining to him that what he had done was according to nature and therefore nothing to be ashamed of. When Crates himself farted to demonstrate how natural it was, Metrocles was persuaded to let go of his shame.