170. The most remarkable fragment of Melissos is, perhaps, the last (fr. [8]). It seems to be directed against Anaxagoras; at least the language used seems more applicable to him than to any one else. Anaxagoras had admitted ([§ 137], fin.) that, so far as our perceptions go, they do not entirely agree with his theory, though he held this was due solely to their weakness. Melissos, taking advantage of this admission, urges that, if we give up the senses as the ultimate test of reality, we are not entitled to reject the Eleatic theory. With wonderful penetration he points out that if we are to say, with Anaxagoras, that things are a many, we are bound also to say that each one of them is such as the Eleatics declared the One to be. In other words, the only consistent pluralism is the atomic theory.
Melissos has long been unduly depreciated owing to the criticisms of Aristotle; but these, we have seen, are based mainly on a somewhat pedantic objection to the false conversion in the early part of the argument. Melissos knew nothing about the rules of conversion; and if he had, he could easily have made his reasoning formally correct without modifying his system. His greatness consisted in this, that not only was he the real systematiser of Eleaticism, but he was also able to see, before the pluralists saw it themselves, the only way in which the theory that things are a many could be consistently worked out.[[919]] It is significant that Polybos, the nephew of Hippokrates, reproaches those “sophists” who taught there was only one primary substance with “putting the doctrine of Melissos on its feet.”[[920]]
[851]. Diog. ix. 29 (R. P. 130 a). Apollodoros is not expressly referred to for Zeno’s date; but, as he is quoted for his father’s name (ix. 25; R. P. 130), there can be no doubt that he is also the source of the floruit.
[852]. Plato, Parm. 127 b (R. P. 111 d). The visit of Zeno to Athens is confirmed by Plut. Per. 4 (R. P. 130 e), where we are told that Perikles “heard” him as well as Anaxagoras. It is also alluded to in Alc. I. 119 a, where we are told that Pythodoros, son of Isolochos, and Kallias, son of Kalliades, each paid him 100 minae for instruction.
[853]. Plato, Soph. 241 d (R. P. 130 a).
[854]. Plato, Parm., loc. cit.
[855]. Strabo, vi. p. 252 (R. P. 111 c).
[856]. Diog. ix. 26, 27, and the other passages referred to in R. P. 130 c.
[857]. Diog. ix. 26 (R. P. 130); Suidas s.v. (R. P. 130 d).