Lyceum: Encyclopedia II - Lyceum - Ancient Greek Lyceum word origins

Lyceum - Ancient Greek Lyceum word origins

The Lyceum (Λύκειον, Lykeion) was a gymnasium in ancient Athens, most famous for its association with Aristotle. The Lyceum is the birthplace of Western science and philosophy. The complex itself, named for its sanctuary to Lycian Apollo, dates from before the 6th century BC, while Aristotle founded his famous school there in 335 BC. Aristotle walked in the lyceum's stoas and grounds as he lectured, surrounded by a throng of students, so the philosophical school he founded was called the Peripatetics.

Aristotle was the head of his school until 322 BC when he fled to Macedon after a charge of impiety was made against him. Theophrastus served as the second head of the school. Later heads include Strato of Lampsacus and Alexander of Aphrodisias.

The school was sacked by Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 86 BC, but it was later rebuilt. The precise date at which the Lyceum ceased to be used is not known. The actual location of the complex was lost for centuries, until it was rediscovered in 1996, during excavations for the new Museum of Modern Art. Recovery of the site was a goal for modern Greek national identity. "We have now, here, in Athens, the main proof about the historical continuity of the Hellenic cultural heritage," said Cultural Minister Venizelos Evangelos.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Ancient Greek Lyceum word origins", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki