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'''Theophrastus''' (/ˌθiːəˈfræstəs/; Greek: Θεόφραστος Theόphrastos; c. 371 – c. 287 BC), a Greek native of Eresos in Lesbos, was the successor to [[Aristotle]] in the Peripatetic school.

== Biography ==

He came to Athens at a young age and initially studied the [[Platonic Academy]].

After [[Plato]]'s death, he attached himself to [[Aristotle]].

[[Aristotle]] bequeathed to Theophrastus his writings and designated him as his successor at the [[Lyceum]].

Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-six years, during which time the school flourished greatly.

He is often considered the "father of botany" for his works on [[Plant|plants]].

After his death, the Athenians honored him with a public funeral. 

His successor as head of the school was [[Strato of Lampsacus]].

== Interests ==

The interests of Theophrastus were wide ranging, extending from biology and physics to ethics and metaphysics.

His two surviving botanical works, ''[[Enquiry into Plants]]'' (''Historia Plantarum'') and ''[[On the Causes of Plants]]'', were an important influence on Renaissance science.

There are also surviving works [[On Moral Characters]], [[On Sensation]], [[On Stones]], and fragments on [[Physics]] and [[Metaphysics]].

In [[philosophy]], he studied [[grammar]] and [[language]] and continued Aristotle's work on [[logic]].

He also regarded [[space]] as the mere arrangement and position of bodies, [[time]] as an accident of motion, and [[motion]] as a necessary consequence of all activity.

In [[ethics]], he regarded [[happiness]] as depending on external influences as well as on [[virtue]] and famously said that "life is ruled by fortune, not wisdom."

== See also ==

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophrastus Theophrastus]

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