a native of Elis, was the founder of the Elaic sect of philosophy, and the person whose name Plato inscribed in one of his most celebrated Dialogues. The exact date of his birth and death is unknown, but he flourished B.C. 399. By the fortune of war he was taken prisoner, and reduced to a state of slavery. He was brought to Athens, where he became known to Socrates, who admired his talents so much that he induced Alcibiades or Crito, or, according to others, Cebes, to release him from servitude. He then became one of the most devoted attendants on his benefactor. It appears that he was not at all satisfied with the manner in which he was introduced by Plato into his dialogue; and he used to declare publicly that he had never spoken in that way, and that he had never heard Socrates use the language which Plato put into his mouth. He composed several Dialogues, the titles of which were, Zopyrus, Simon, and several which it was doubtful if they belonged to him; Nicias; Antimachus; Medus, ascribed by some to Æschines, by others to Polyneus; Sythid Sermones, ascribed also to Æschines; and three others quoted by Suidas. (Diogenes Laertius's Life of Phaedrus Phædor.)