Heraclides

Heraclides the son of Lysimachus, and Sicanus the son of Execestus.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

In addition Ecphantus is assigned a form of atomism (DK I 442.7 ff.) similar to that assigned to Heraclides (Fr. 118-121 Wehrli).

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

Although some scholars have tried to find a kernel of truth in the story (e.g. Riedweg 2005, 90 ff.), its definition of the philosopher as one who seeks wisdom rather than possessing it is regarded by many scholars as a Socratic/Platonic formulation, which Heraclides, in his dialogue, is assigning to Pythagoras as part of a literary fiction (Burkert 1960 and 1972a, 65).

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

Other fragments show Heraclides 'further fascination with the Pythagoreans.

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

Heraclides also assigns to Pythagoras a definition of happiness as

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

Some scholars have argued that Hicetas and Ecphantus, both of Syracuse, were not historical figures at all but rather characters in dialogues written by Heraclides of Pontus, a fourth-century member of the Academy.

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

The doxographical reports about Hicetas and Ecphantus ultimately rely on Theophrastus (Cicero mentions Theophrastus by name at DK I 441.27), and it is implausible that Theophrastus would treat characters invented by his older contemporary, Heraclides, as historical figures.

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

It is not uncommon in the doxographical tradition for a report of the form “x and y believe z” to mean that “y, as reported by x, believes z,” so it is suggested that in this case “Heraclides and Ecphantus” means “Ecphantus as presented by Heraclides.”

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

This theory arose because both Hicetas and Ecphantus are said to have made the earth rotate on its axis, while the heavens remained fixed, in order to explain astronomical phenomena, and, in one report, Heraclides is paired with Ecphantus as having adopted this view (Aetius III 13.3 = DK I 442.23).

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

Yet another member of the early Academy, Heraclides of Pontus

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006