Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

​As for the property in the city and on Aegina, I give it to Lyco, because he bears our name and has spent a considerable time with me in a manner entirely agreeable, as was right for one who held the position of a son. And the walk I leave to those of my acquaintances who wish, namely Boulon, Callinus, Ariston, Amphion, Lyco, Python, Aristomachus, Heracleus, Lycomedes, and Lyco my nephew. Let them appoint as head whomever they suppose will stay by the business and be best able to help increase the school. And let the rest of the acquaintances also assist in maintaining it for my sake and for the sake of the place. Concerning my burial and cremation, let Boulon and Callinus, together with our intimate friends, take care that it may be neither illiberal nor ostentatious.

​From the shares that have accrued to me in Aegina, after my release from life let Lyco assign a portion to the young men for their supply of oil, so that a fitting memorial both of myself and of the one who honored me may be preserved through this use. Let him also set up a statue of us; and as to a suitable site for its erection, let Diophantus and Heraclides the son of Demetrius inspect it and assist in the arrangement. And out of the property in the city, let Lyco repay all those from whom I borrowed anything after his departure. Let Boulon and Callinus also supply whatever may be expended on the funeral and the other customary rites; and let them recover these expenses from the property at home left jointly to both brothers by me.

​Let them also honor the physicians Pasithemis and Medias, who are worthy even of greater honor, both on account of their care for me and their skill. I give to the little child of Callinus a pair of Thericlean cups, and to his wife a pair of Rhodian cups, a smooth rug, a double-napped rug, a coverlet, and the two best pillows among those left behind; so that, as far as honoring them is concerned, we may not appear unmindful of them. Concerning those who attended me, I make dispositions as follows: to Demetrius, who has long been free, I remit his ransom, and I give him five minae and a cloak and a tunic, so that, having toiled much with me, he may have a decent livelihood. To Crito of Chalcedon, to him too I remit his ransom and give four minae. And Micrus I release free; and let Lyco maintain him and educate him for six years from the present time.

​And Chares I release free; and let Lyco maintain him. I give him two minae and my books that have been read in public; and the unpublished ones to Callinus, that he may carefully publish them. I give also to Syrus, who is free, four minae, and I give him Menodora; and if he owes me anything, I forgive him. To Hilara I give five minae, a double-napped rug, two pillows, a coverlet, and whatever couch she wishes. I also release free the mother of Micrus, and Noemon, Dion, Theon, Euphranor, and Hermias. And let Agathon, after remaining in service for two years, be released free; and the litter-bearers, Ophelion and Poseidonius, after remaining for four years.

​I give also to Demetrius, Crito, and Syrus a couch each, and bedding from what is left behind, whatever seems fitting to Lyco. Let these be theirs when they have discharged properly the duties to which each has been assigned. Concerning my burial, whether Lyco wishes to bury me here or at home, let him do so; for I am persuaded that he perceives what is becoming no less than I do. When he has administered all these matters, let the bequest of the property here be valid for him. Witnesses: Callinus of Hermione, Ariston of Ceos, Euphronius of Paeania. Thus, while he acted wisely in all things relating to education and every branch of discourse, he arranged his testamentary affairs no less, in a certain manner, with exceeding care and good management; so that in this respect also he is worthy of emulation.