Aristotle was born in
Macedonia in 384 B.C., the son of a physician. As a boy he was educated
in that country as his father was attached to the royal Court of the
Macedonian king. At 17 he went to Athens where he spent the next 20
years. He was Plato's pupil for the first few years. He was a member
of the Academy but not continuously in residence. In 342 he undertook
the tutorship of Alexander, then 13 years of age, son of Philip, King
of Macedonia. He continued this responsibility for three years at which
time Alexander became regent of the Kingdom as his father was absent
on military duties. When Alexander succeeded his father (335 B.C.),
Aristotle continued as his counselor and friend. Aristotle returned
shortly to Athens and created a new school and center of learning called
the Lyceum. Aristotle assembled a large number of scholars to whom he
delivered lectures on philosophy while walking up and down the shady
avenues. From this the name Peripatetic was derived which was eventually
given to his school. he delivered lectures both morning and afternoon
to two different types of individuals. In the morning philosophy and
physics were discussed and in the afternoon "rhetoric" and "politics."
He presided over the school 13 years. Upon the death of Alexander the
Great, he left Athens to return to his native province where he died
in 322 B.C.
Aristotle's writings may be divided into three
groups: (1) early ones dating from the time he was
residing in the Academy (2) compilations dating
probably from his Lyceum days and (3) treatises
prepared during his years as completely Aristoidian
except for the Athenian Constitution, a
"representative of the second group." The works of the
first group were lost although the fragments and
references to them in ancient literature permit us to
ascertain their contents. It is interesting to note
that these works were not immediately lost and for
many centuries Aristotle's fame depended upon them.
They were in the form of dialogues which was the usual
form used by Plato. Finally all copies of these early
writings disappeared mysteriously. After Aristotle's
death his papers and original manuscripts became the
property of his successor, Theophrastus. The
latter bequeathed them not to the Academy, but to his
nephew Nelius. Nelius did not care for these
writings and sold some to Ptolemy Philadelphus (ruled
285-247 B.C.) who was building up the library of
Alexandria, Egypt. The remaining manuscripts were hid
in a cave until they were obtained for a private
library in Athens. Shortly thereafter (84 B.C.) they
were taken to Rome where they were cataloged and a
first edition was prepared about 1 B.C. From this
first edition all other editions have originated
directly or indirectly. All these writings except one
belonged to the third group.
The various writings were in reality lectures given
by Aristotle or by others in the Lyceum. They cover
logic, mechanics, physics, astronomy, meteorology,
botany, zoology, psychology, ethics, economics,
politics, metaphysics, literature and the like. It is
possible that Aristotle did not verbally compose the
material dealing with each subject. They may have
represented the teachings of Theophrastus and other
members of the Lyceum. Generally they are believed to
be the subject of his lectures.
Botanical subjects were presumable discussed in the
Academy and the Lyceum. It has been pointed out that
Aristotle and his pupils were not merely interested in
the practical value of plants but were also concerned
with definitions, form, and growth of plants as well.
Aristotle's botanic writings have been lost and De
Plantis is believed not to be specifically written
by him. It is generally believed to be due to Nicholas
of Damascus, (Nicolaus Damascenus, a Greek historian),
although many parts are similar to various writings of
Aristotle and Theophrastus. It is believed that
Aristotle cared more for animal biology than botany
and turned over that specific area to his favorite
pupil, Theophrastus.
