Colotes
- An Epicurean philosopher of Lampsacus, Cic. Rep. 6, 7, 7; Macr. Somn. Scip. 1, 2.—
- II A painter of Teos, Quint. 2, 13, 13.—
- III A sculptor, Plin. 34, 8, 19, § 87; 35, 8, 34, § 54.
(Κολώτης), of Lampsacus, a hearer of Epicurus, and one of the most famous of his disciples.
It may be collected from Plutarch, that Colotes was clever, but vain, dogmatical, and intolerant. He made violent attacks upon Socrates, and other great philosophers. He was a great favourite with Epicurus, who used, by way of endearment, to call him Κολωτάρας and Κολωτάριος. It is also related by Plutarch, that Colotes, after hearing Epicurus discourse on the nature of things, fell on his knees before him, and besought him to give him instruction. He held, that it is unworthy of the truthfulness of a philosopher to use fables in his teaching, a notion which Cicero opposes. (De Repub. 6.7, ed. Orelli, ap. Macrob. in Somn. Scip. 1.2.) Works That it was impossible even to live according to the doctrines of the other philosophers
He wrote a work to prove, That it was impossible even to live according to the doctrines of the other philosophers (ὅτι κατὰ τὰ τῶν ἄλλων φιλοσόφων δόγματα οὐδὲ ζῆν ἐστιν). It was dedicated to king Ptolemy, probably Philopator. In refutation of it Plutarch wrote two works, a dialogue, to prove, "That it is impossible even to live pleasantly according to Epicurus," and a work entitled "Against Colotes." (Plut. Opera. pp. 1086-1127.) The two works stand in the editions in this order, which should be reversed. Against Plato's Lysis
Some fragments of another work of Colotes, against the Lysis of Plato, have been recently discovered at Herculaneum. [P.S]
(Κολώτης).
1. A sculptor from the island of Paros, who assisted Phidias in executing the colossus of Zeus at Olympia, and left several beautiful works, principally in gold and ivory, in Elis, where he seems to have lived in banishment. He appears to belong to Ol. 84, &c. (B. C. 444), and is praised for his statues of philosophers. (Strab. viii. p.337; Plin. Nat. 34.19, 35.34; Paus. 5.20.1; Eustath. ad Il. 2.603; Böckh, Corp. Inscr. n. 24.)
2. A painter, a contemporary of Timanthes, B. C. 396, mentioned by Quintilian (2.13). [L.U]
(Κολώτης). (1) An Epicurean of Lampsacus, against whom Plutarch wrote two tracts.
(2) A sculptor of Paros, who flourished about B.C. 444 and assisted Phidias in making the colossal figure of Zeus at Olympia.
- native of Heraclea or Paros, pupil of Pasiteles: Paus. 5.20.2