Aristotle — Greek Philosopher and Polymath

Aristotle dies of natural causes in Chalcis at age 62. His works are preserved by his student Theophrastus, studied in the Islamic world by scholars like Averroes, and rediscovered in medieval Europe where Thomas Aquinas synthesizes them with Christian theology, shaping Western thought for centuries.

After Alexander the Great dies, anti-Macedonian sentiment surges in Athens. Aristotle is charged with impiety. Remembering Socrates' fate, he flees to Chalcis, saying Athens should not "sin twice against philosophy."

Aristotle returns to Athens and establishes the Lyceum, a school where he lectures while walking (peripatetic). He assembles one of the first great libraries and organizes systematic, collaborative research across every known field of knowledge.

Aristotle writes the Politics, examining constitutions, citizenship, justice, and the ideal state. He famously declares "man is by nature a political animal" and classifies governments into six types, analyzing their strengths and corruptions.

Aristotle writes the Poetics, the foundational work of literary theory analyzing tragedy, epic, and catharsis, and the Rhetoric, systematizing persuasion through ethos, pathos, and logos.

Aristotle writes the Metaphysics, investigating being qua being, substance, causality (the four causes), and the Unmoved Mover — a foundational text of Western philosophy.

Aristotle writes the Organon, establishing formal logic including syllogism, categories, and deductive reasoning. His logical system remains the foundation of Western logic for over 2,000 years.

Aristotle writes the Nicomachean Ethics, his masterpiece of moral philosophy introducing virtue as a golden mean between extremes, practical wisdom (phronesis), and eudaimonia (human flourishing) as life's ultimate goal.

Aristotle classifies over 500 animal species, develops a taxonomy based on shared characteristics, and writes several biological treatises including History of Animals. His empirical approach establishes the foundation of scientific classification.

King Philip II of Macedon invites Aristotle to tutor his 13-year-old son Alexander. For three years, Aristotle teaches the future conqueror philosophy, science, medicine, and literature, profoundly influencing Alexander's appreciation of Greek culture.

After Plato's death, Aristotle leaves Athens for Assos in Asia Minor with fellow Academicians. He conducts extensive biological research on marine life, classifying species and making detailed observations that would underpin zoology for centuries.

At age 17, Aristotle moves to Athens to study at Plato's Academy, where he remains for 20 years as student and teacher. He becomes Plato's most gifted pupil, though their philosophical approaches later diverge, particularly over the theory of Forms.

Aristotle is born in 384 BC in Stagira, Greece. His father Nicomachus is court physician to the Macedonian king, giving Aristotle early exposure to science and the Macedonian court.