a Grecian philosopher, who lived under Philip of Macedon and Alexander, was born in Abdera, and belonged to the sect generally known by the name of the Eleatic. He is said to have been instructed in his early studies by Diomenes of Smyrna, or Metrodorus of Chios. He had the honour to be a companion of Alexander; and a few anecdotes transmitted to posterity concerning him render it evident that he treated him with the usual freedom of a friend. He checked the vain-glory of Alexander, when, elated with pride, he aspired to the honours of divinity, by pointing to his wounded finger, saying, "See the blood of a mortal, not of a god." We are likewise told, that, on another occasion, while the king was indulging immoderately at a banquet, the philosopher repeated a verse from Euripides, reminding Alexander of his mortality. It is, however, to be regretted, that the fidelity of the philosopher was wanting at the time when the mind of Alexander was tortured with remorse at having slain his friend Clitus; for it is reported that on that occasion he endeavoured to soothe the agitated mind of Alexander by saying, that "kings, like the gods, could do no wrong." It is said that Nicocreon, tyrant of Cyprus, commanded him to be pounded in a mortar, and that he endured this torture with incredible patience; but as the same fact is reported of Zeno the Eleatic, there is reason to suppose that it is fabulous; and it may be added, that this narrative is inconsistent with the general character of Anaxarchus, who, on account of his easy and peaceable life, received the appellation of "The Fortunate." Regarding his philosophical doctrines we have no information, save that he held the sovereign good to consist in perfect tranquillity of mind (ἀναθροει).

ANAXILAUS of Larissa, a physician and Pythagorean philosopher, was banished from Rome by Augustus, B.C. 28, on the charge of practising the magic art. This accusation appears to have originated in his superior skill in natural philosophy, or what may be called "natural magic."—Euseb. Chron. ad Olymp. clxxxviii.; St Iren. i. 13; Plin. xiv. 4, xxv. 95, xxviii. 49, xxxii. 52, xxxv. 50.