How a wild, drunken reveler became the head of Plato’s prestigious Academy
In short: Polemon of Athens began his life as a wealthy, irresponsible youth known for his wild partying. Yet, a single encounter with a lecture on temperance transformed him into a disciplined philosopher. He eventually succeeded Xenocrates as the head of the Academy, championing a life defined by action over abstract theory.
Born into a family of wealth and political influence, Polemon’s early life was marked by excess. The turning point occurred when he was roughly thirty years old. While leading a group of revelers into the school of the philosopher Xenocrates, he expected to disrupt the proceedings. Instead, he found Xenocrates calmly continuing his lecture on the virtue of temperance. Struck by the teacher’s composure and the weight of the subject, Polemon reportedly tore off his festive garland, abandoned his rowdy companions, and committed himself to a life of restraint and study.
As a dedicated pupil of Xenocrates, Polemon eventually assumed leadership of the Academy in 315 BC, serving as its scholarch until his death in 270/269 BC. His approach to philosophy was distinctly practical; he argued that the discipline should be exercised through deeds rather than mere dialectic speculation. He was known for his grave, severe character and took immense pride in his ability to master his emotions. This commitment to self-control was central to his belief that the highest good, or summum bonum, was found in living in accordance with the laws of nature.
Polemon’s influence extended to a notable circle of students, including Crates of Athens—who was also his eromenos and eventual successor—as well as Zeno of Citium and Arcesilaus. While he authored several treatises, none survived into antiquity. His literary tastes were refined, showing a deep admiration for Homer and Sophocles, whom he famously described as mirrors of one another: an epic Sophocles and a tragic Homer. He died of natural causes at a great age, leaving behind a legacy of philosophical practice that prioritized the lived experience over theoretical debate.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Polemon of Athens
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