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Metrodorus of Lampsacus

500 BC – 464 BC

Ancient Greek Anaxagorean philosopher

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About Metrodorus of Lampsacus

Lived 500 BC – 464 BC. Metrodorus of Lampsacus was a philosopher and poet.

Metrodorus of Lampsacus (; fl. 5th century BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher from town of Lampsacus on the eastern shore of the Hellespont. According to Diogenes Laertius, he was a contemporary and friend of Anaxagoras. He died in 464 BC.

The earliest surviving mention of Metrodorus is in Plato's dialogue Ion as one of the interpreters of Homer, along with Stesimbrotos of Thasos and Glaucon of Rhegium. who expanded upon Anaxagoras' theories of allegorical interpretation. The leading feature of Metrodorus' system of interpretation being that the deities and stories in Homer were to be understood as modes of representing physical powers and phenomena.

Similarities have also been drawn between Metrodorus' doctrines and the allegorical interpretations of an Orphic poem found in the Derveni papyrus since its discovery in 1962. Although Metrodorus' authorship of that particular work has been rejected by modern scholarship, his derivation of physical doctrines via allegorical interpretation may have influenced it.

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Important facts

Born
500 BC
Birth century
Died
464 BC
Occupation
Also known as
Metrodorus

People in Metrodorus of Lampsacus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Metrodorus of Lampsacus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Metrodorus of Lampsacus?

ancient Greek Anaxagorean philosopher

When was Metrodorus of Lampsacus born?

Metrodorus of Lampsacus was born in 500 BC.

When did Metrodorus of Lampsacus die?

Metrodorus of Lampsacus died in 464 BC.

What was Metrodorus of Lampsacus's occupation?

Metrodorus of Lampsacus was a philosopher and poet.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Metrodorus of Lampsacus

· Wikidata: Q539514

· DBpedia: Metrodorus of Lampsacus (the elder)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Metrodorus of Lampsacus. https://biography.guide/metrodorus-of-lampsacus/

MLA: "Metrodorus of Lampsacus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/metrodorus-of-lampsacus/.

Chicago: "Metrodorus of Lampsacus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/metrodorus-of-lampsacus/.

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