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Xenophilus

b. 400 BC

4th-century BC Greek philosopher

Philosopher Musician Music theorist
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About Xenophilus

Born 400 BC. Xenophilus was a philosopher, musician and music theorist.

Xenophilus, depicted as a medieval scholar in the Nuremberg Chronicle. Xenophilus (; 4th century BC), of Chalcidice, was a Pythagorean philosopher and music theorist who lived in the first half of the 4th century BC. Aulus Gellius relates that Xenophilus was the intimate friend and teacher of Aristoxenus and implies that Xenophilus taught him Pythagorean doctrine. He was said to have belonged to the last generation of Pythagoreans, and he is the only Pythagorean known to have lived in Athens in the 4th century BC.

According to Diogenes Laërtius, Aristoxenus wrote that when Xenophilus was once asked by someone how he could best educate his son, Xenophilus replied, "By making him the citizen of a well-governed state." In the Macrobii of Pseudo-Lucian, Aristoxenus is supposed to have said that Xenophilus lived 105 years. Xenophilus enjoyed considerable fame in the Renaissance, apparently because of Pliny's claim that he lived 105 years without ever being sick.

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Important facts

Born
400 BC, Chalkidiki
Birth century
Died
Athens
Also known as
Xenophilus of Chalcis, Xenophilus of Chalcidice

Frequently asked questions

Who was Xenophilus?

4th-century BC Greek philosopher

When was Xenophilus born?

Xenophilus was born in 400 BC in Chalkidiki.

When did Xenophilus die?

Xenophilus died in Athens.

What was Xenophilus's occupation?

Xenophilus was a philosopher, musician and music theorist.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Xenophilus

· Wikidata: Q221497

· DBpedia: Xenophilus (philosopher)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Xenophilus. https://biography.guide/xenophilus-philosopher/

MLA: "Xenophilus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/xenophilus-philosopher/.

Chicago: "Xenophilus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/xenophilus-philosopher/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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