Note 28 — Chapter III · HISTORY OF THE STOICS UNTIL THE END OF THE SECOND CENTURY B.C.

Diog. 177; Plut. Cleomen. 2; 11; Athen. viii. 354, e. Sphærus’ presence in Egypt seems to belong to the time before he became connected with Cleomenes. He was a pupil of Cleanthes (Diog. vii. 185; Athen. l.c.) when he went to Egypt, and resided there at the court of Ptolemy for several years. He had left Egypt by 221 B.C., but was then himself no longer a member of the Stoic School at Athens. It is possible that Sphærus may first have come to Cleomenes on a commission from the Egyptian king. In that case, the Ptolemy referred to must have been either Ptolemy Euergetes or Ptolemy Philadelphus—certainly not Philopator, as Diog. 177 says. If, however, the view is taken that it was Ptolemy Philopator, it may be supposed that Sphærus repaired to Egypt with Cleomenes in 221 B.C. Sphærus’ numerous writings (Diog. 178: Λακωνικὴ πολιτεία also in Athen. iv. 141, 6) refer to all parts of philosophy, and to some of the older philosophers. According to Cic. Tusc. iv. 24, 53, his definitions were in great esteem in the Stoic School. ↑