Such is the will of the grand old philosopher; and we may suppose that by those simpler minds, even the date was considered unnecessary, as we find none appended to this document.
Will of Aristotle
(322 B.C.)
The will of this famous Peripatetic philosopher is like that of Plato, more remarkable for its antiquity and the interest attaching to the testator than for its contents. He was sixty-eight years of age at the time of his death, and according to his biographer, Timotheus of Athens, he cannot have been very attractive in his personal appearance. He had small eyes, a cracked voice, and thin limbs; but he was always well dressed and wore rings on his fingers; we are also told that he shaved his chin. The document in question begins thus:
“Greeting. Aristotle disposes as follows of what belongs to him. In case death should surprise me, Antipater will undertake to execute generally my last wishes and is to have the administration of everything.
“Until Nicanor can take the management of my affairs, Aristomenes, Timarchas, Hipparchus, and Theophrastus will, with his consent, assist him to take care of my property, as much on behalf of my children, as on behalf of Herpylis. As soon as my daughter shall be marriageable she is to be given Nicanor; and in case, which I do not think likely, she should die before her marriage or before she has children, Nicanor is to inherit all that I possess, and to dispose of my slaves and all the rest as he pleases.
“Nicanor will then take charge of my son Nicomachus, and of my daughter, so that they may want nothing; and he will act towards them as a father and a brother.
“Should Nicanor die before marrying my daughter, or having married her should he leave no children, he must decide what is to be done after his death.
“If, then, Theophrastus should wish to take my daughter to his home, he will enter into all the rights I give to Nicanor; or if not, the curators will dispose of my children as they shall consider for the best.
“I recommend to their guardians, and to Nicanor, to remember for my sake the affection Herpylis has always borne me, taking care of me and of my affairs. If after my death she should wish to marry, they will see that she does not marry any one below my condition. In that case, besides the presents she has already received, she is to have a talent of silver, three slaves besides the one she has, and the youth Pyrrhæus. If she wishes to live at Calchis, she can have the suite of rooms communicating with the garden; if at Stagyra, she can occupy the house of my fathers, and the curators will suitably furnish whichever of these residences she may select.
“Nicanor will take care that Myrex is sent back to his parents in a respectable and suitable way, with all that I have belonging to him.