Philiscus of Aegina

Philiscus of Aegina was a Cynic philosopher from Aegina who lived in latter half of the 4th century BC. He was the son of Onesicritus who sent Philiscus with his younger brother, Androsthenes, to Athens where they were so charmed by the philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope that Onesicritus also came to Athens and became his disciple. [Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 75; Suda, "Philiskos", φ 362] The Suda states that, according to Hermippus, he was the pupil of Stilpo.Suda, "Philiskos", φ 359] He is also described as an associate of Phocion. [Suda, "Philiskos", φ 362] He is said to have become the teacher of Alexander the Great, [Suda, "Philiskos", φ 359. There are, of course, chronological problems with a man being the son of Onesicritus, the pupil of Stilpo, and the teacher of Alexander.] and Aelian preserves a short exhortation by Philiscus addressed to Alexander:

Take care of your reputation; don't become a plague or a great disaster, bring peace and health. [Aelian, "Varia Historia", xiv. 11]

The Suda mentions that Philiscus wrote dialogues including one called "Codrus", and according to Diogenes Laërtius, Satyrus claimed that the tragedies ascribed to Diogenes were, in fact, written by Philiscus. [Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 80, cf. vi. 73] Among the dialogues ascribed to Diogenes by Sotion, one is entitled "Philiscus". [Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 80]

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