Cratylus heraclitus biography

Ancient Greek philosopher

This article is about the Athenian philosopher. For Plato's dialogue, see Cratylus (dialogue). For the deity with a similar name, see Kratos (mythology).

Cratylus (KRAT-il-əs; Ancient Greek: Κρατύλος, Kratylos) was an ancient Athenianphilosopher from the mid-late 5th century BC, known mostly through his portrayal in Plato's dialogueCratylus.

Cratylus heraclitus biography summary

He was a radical proponent of Heraclitean philosophy and influenced the young Plato.

Life

Little is known of Cratylus beyond his status as a disciple of Heraclitus of Ephesus, Asia Minor. Modern biographers have not reached consensus on his approximate date of birth, arguing alternately for an age comparable either to Plato or Socrates.^[1] Cratylus is mentioned in Aristotle's Metaphysics in a passage which seems to imply that he was an established and active philosopher in Athens during the mid-late 5th century,^[1] and that Plato was briefly interested in his teachings pr