a philosopher of Laapsacus, disciple and successor in the school of Theophrastus, about 248 years before the Christian era. He applied himself with uncommon industry to the study of nature; and after the most mature investigations, he supported that nature was inanimate, and that there was no god but nature. He was appointed preceptor to Ptolemy Philadelphus, who revered his abilities and learning, and rewarded his labours with unbounded liberality. He wrote different treatises, none of which has been preserved.