The longevity of the ancient Greeks

Raphael. Athenian school. 1509–1511. Fresco Stanitsa della Senyatur. Rome, Vatican

In memory of the Panahit of Kesmedzhi recently left us, we begin the re -publication of his articles. The panet lived a long and worthy life, no less worthy, although less known than the heroes of antiquity he described, but I hope that his works will forever remain in our memory.

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Unfortunately, history has not preserved for us data on the life expectancy of ordinary people: peasants, artisans, fishermen and others. If we conduct studies of life expectancy in the ancient era, then on the basis of the testimonies of the ancient authors who inform us of the life of the famous personalities of that phenomenal era, it turns out that they were not only long -livers.

Almost all famous people of ancient Greece preserved in the declining years of amazing life and mobility:

• Anaxagoras from Klazomen The philosopher – about 600-528/525. 72-75 years
• Apollonius Pergian Mathematician and astronomer – 260-170g. 90 years
• Archimedes from Syracuse Mathematician and mechanic – 287-212. 75 years, killed
• Antisphena from Athens Philosopher – approx. 445-360. 85 years old
• Aristotle from Stagir Philosopher – 384-322 62 years
• Aristophanes from Athens The playwright is 457-385. 72 years
• Hipparchus from Nika astronomer – 190- 125. 65 years
• Hippocrates from a braid The founder of scientific medicine is 460-370. 90 years
• Gorgias from Leontin Sophist – 485-380 105 years
• Keos Wacchilid The poet is 524-452. 82 years
• Herodotus from Galicarnas Historian – 480-425. 65 years
• Hyperid from Athens politician – 389-322 67 years old, killed
• Demosthenes from Athens Policy – 384-322 62, poisoned
• Sinopa diogen Philosopher – 400-325. 75 years
• Euclid from Megara Philosopher – 450-380. 80 years
• Euripid from Athens playwright – 485-406. 79 years
• Zenon from Kitia Philosopher – 335-263. 72 years
• Iza from Athens Orator – 420-350g. 70 years
• Isocrat from Athens Rhetoric – 436-338. 98 years
• Xenophon from Athens Historian – 428-354. 82 years old
• Xenofan from Kolofon Philosopher and poet – 570-480. 90 years
• Lycurgus from Athens Policy – 390-324. 76 years
• Pindar from the film Sochand Poet – 518-438. 80 years
• Plato from Athens Philosopher – 429-347. 82 years
• Simonid from Eolida Poet – 556-468. 88 years
• Safokle from Athens Dramaturg – 496-406. 90 years
• Svevsipp from Athens Philosopher – 407-339. 68 years
• Solon from Athens Policy – 640-546. 96 years
• Timaeus from Taurus Historian – 356-260 96 years
• Thales from Miletus Philosopher – 624-546. 78 years
• Feofrast from Lesbos Philosopher – 370-285 85 years
• Philist from Syracuse Policy – 430-356 76 years
• Epicurus from Samos Philosopher – 341-270. 71 years old
• Aeschylus from Athens The playwright – 525-456. 81 years old
• Aeschin from Athens Policy – 397-322 77 years
• Ephor from Kim Historian – 405-330 75 years

In many modern publications regarding the life and life of people of the era of ancient Greece, there is a tendency indicating a small life of a person’s life. Unfortunately, we have data calculated by scientists, only about famous people in history – these are politicians, commanders, kings, philosophers, poets, writers, playwrights and others. Most of them lived incomparably in the best conditions than ordinary people.

Naturally, they did not have to engage in heavy physical labor. Their food was more diverse, they had more free time and money to improve their physical condition in gymnasiums. In addition, in case of malaise or severe wound, they had the opportunity to contact not only doctors, but also visit the resorts for treatment, which were many in ancient Greece.

Let's take a life for example SocratesAthenian from the fila Antiochy (469-399). The philosopher, recognized during his life, the most intelligent of the Greeks of his modernity by the Delphic oracle, lived his whole life in need. He was engaged in physical labor. Like all full -fledged Athenian citizens, he had a suburban site with a house on which he had to work himself. To have slaves did not allow him to be prosperous. In his youth, he worked as a camenot, took part in all military events of his native policy. He lived for 70 years, but could have been more, do not say his Athenian court to the death penalty for views that are not compatible with that era. The old philosopher had an excellent health, despite the advanced age.

In general, it should be noted that the ancient Athenians very cruelly treated their celebrities and commanders. Sometimes there was enough suspicion, and the failure of the strategist was considered by the Athenian People’s Assembly as a crime or even treason. So a commander Miltiadthe winner of the Persians in the famous battle of Marathon in 490. BC, for the unsuccessful campaign in which he was injured, was awarded to a fine of 50 talents, the amount is huge. For non -payment, he was imprisoned, where he died at the age of 72.

Spartan king Agesilaicommanding the expeditionary building in Egypt, died in 82. Undoubtedly, this advanced old man, in our opinion, had to wear weapons, reaching a weight of 30 kg, since, as usual, the Spartan kings took a personal part in contractions with the enemy. The personal combat of the king was three hundred warriors who were in sixty.

Of the same veterans over 40, a detachment of Spartans under the command was a detachment Leonidadefending the farm pounds from the huge Persian army and died with his king.

Spartan Hippodes He died in battle, fighting in the ranks next to the King of Archidam. He was in eighty years.

We lived to advanced age, continuing to lead the battles and take personal part in battles, associates Alexander of Macedon. Having divided the legacy of the great commander, they fought among themselves for more than twenty years. So Antigon one -eyed He died in the battle in 301. BC at the age of 79 years. Lysima, King of Thracedied in the battle of Kuropedion in 281. BC He was also 79 years old. He died his death Tsar Egypt Ptolemy Soter in 283. BC at 84.

It should be noted that these commanders Alexandra They divided all the hardships of difficult campaigns with him, were injured several times and nevertheless possessed health, allowing them to overcome heavy physical and psychological stress during hostilities, despite the advanced, from a modern point of view.

Usually, in the ancient era in the countries of Greece, elderly men 60 years old and older were called up in the militia. But, as a rule, they carried out the protection of city fortifications and performed the functions of the guards. In exceptional cases, they took part in recent campaigns.

History has retained us a funny incident. When the Athenians, under the influence of speeches of the flame enemy of the Macedonian speaker Demosthenesdecided to oppose the hegemony of the Macedonians in Greece, then he was elected strategist Fokionwho was 80 years old. The old commander and politician was a supporter of the Macedonian and understood that Athens were not able to wage war. Then he ordered the campaign to act as a whole militia. During the national assembly, citizens over 60 years old fell upon him with reproaches for leading the old people on a heavy campaign.

“Compared to me, you are still boys, and I must be fought for battle by your decision,” they answered them Fokion.

The campaign was canceled, but later a quick for reprisal, the Athenians put to the death of the commander, despite his advanced age, recalling him the events of two years ago.

One of the last famous commanders of ancient Greece Philopome From Megalopol, who lived in 253-183, died in battle at the age of 70.

First of all, laws are evidenced by longevity, calls to the militia of men under the age of 60 during hostilities. Such laws were adopted not only in well -known policies as Athens and Sparta, but also in many other states.

The most likely reason for the longevity of our distant ancestors was, first of all, their active life and mobility.

The preface of the editor of the 2 -Russian Athens “Pavel Toyko.

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