“In the midst of conquest and triumph, it was the calm spirit of Anaxarchus that reminded even the great king (Alexander the Great) of the fleeting nature of worldly honors,” ancient Greek Historian Plutarch mentions in his accounts.
Greek philosopher Anaxarchus is one of the less‐documented yet intriguing figures of the Hellenistic age. Choosing a tumultuous path alongside Alexander the Great, he embodied the spirit of inquiry and detachment amid the march of empires.
Few original writings of his survive. Later ancient historians and biographers offer us glimpses into his character, his philosophy, and the way he navigated the splendor and peril of Alexander’s conquests.
Little is known about Anaxarchus’s early life. He hailed from a region steeped in philosophical traditions, and his decision to join Alexander’s campaign reflected a broader Hellenistic trend in which philosophers sought to test and spread their ideas amid the realpolitik of conquest. Like many Cynic or skeptical philosophers of the era, Anaxarchus was more interested in the practice of virtue and the pursuit of truth than in the temporary glories of power.
His presence in Alexander’s entourage has been noted by ancient historians such as Strabo and Diogenes Laertius as emblematic of the growing intermingling of military ambition with philosophical exploration during the era of Alexander’s expansion.
Anaxarchus was not only a companion of conquerors but also a committed disciple of the Greek atomist philosopher Democritus. Democritus’s teachings were centered on the idea that everything is composed of indivisible atoms moving through the void. These teachings profoundly influenced Anaxarchus’s worldview. Drawing from this atomic perspective, Anaxarchus believed that if atoms are infinite and eternal, then the universe must be vast. Perhaps it even contains an infinite number of worlds.
In a manner reflecting Democritus’s revolutionary ideas, Anaxarchus extended the atomic theory to the cosmos.The biographer Plutarch records an anecdote that vividly illustrates this perspective. According to Plutarch, during a discussion on the nature of the universe, Anaxarchus stated:
“If the atoms are countless, then so too are the worlds that they compose; the cosmos has no bounds, and its wonders are as infinite as the void itself.”
This striking statement encapsulates the idea that the very fabric of reality is unbounded—a notion that would only gain widespread acceptance many centuries later. For Anaxarchus, the infinity of worlds was not just an abstract hypothesis. It was a natural consequence of the eternal, ever-dividing nature of matter as taught by Democritus.
While his cosmological ideas set him apart, Anaxarchus’s demeanor also left a mark on those around him. Amid Alexander’s relentless campaigns, he remained calm and detached. His perspective reminded his companions of the fleeting nature of earthly glory. Even the great king himself saw this truth. Plutarch, in his writings on Alexander’s entourage, noted:
”Alexander wept when he heard Anaxarchus speak of an infinite number of worlds.” When his friends asked why, he replied, “Is it not worthy of tears that, with infinite worlds, we have not conquered even one?”
This expression reveals the paradox of Alexander’s success. Despite his vast conquests, the universe remained beyond his reach, which reminded him of mortal limits.
The company of Alexander the Great brought Anaxarchus into direct contact with the extremes of fortune. Amid battle formations and the luxury of the Macedonian court, he is said to have offered philosophical counsel that put worldly ambitions in perspective.
Plutarch, in his account of Alexander’s companions, remarks:
“In the midst of conquest and triumph, it was the calm spirit of Anaxarchus that reminded even the great king of the fleeting nature of worldly honors.”
This remark, though brief, captures the image of a philosopher unmoved by the glories of empire. He used the campaign as a backdrop to reflect on life’s true values.
Similarly, the Greek biographer Diogenes Laertius, in his collection of philosophical lives, notes the quiet dignity of Anaxarchus:
“Anaxarchus, who walked with Alexander, showed that the measure of a man is found not in his triumphs on the field but in the steadfast pursuit of wisdom, undisturbed by the march of armies.”
These passages, though not extensive, have long served as the principal attestations of his character in the ancient literary tradition.
Anaxarchus met a brutal and tragic end at the hands of Nicocreon, the tyrant of Cyprus. According to Diogenes Laertius, he had previously insulted Nicocreon during his time with Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, the tyrant seized the opportunity for revenge. Anaxarchus was captured and subjected to a gruesome execution. The tyrant placed him inside a large stone mortar, where he pounded him to death with iron pestles. Despite the horrific nature of his punishment, he reportedly remained defiant. He showed no fear in the face of suffering.
Even as his body was crushed, Anaxarchus is said to have mocked his executioner, declaring that Nicocreon could destroy his physical form but could never harm his mind. His death became a symbol of the philosophical ideal of detachment from physical pain and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tyranny. Diogenes Laertius recorded the story of his final moments as an example of unwavering philosophical courage. He embodied the principle that true wisdom lies in remaining unshaken by external forces, even in the face of a violent death.
Although Anaxarchus left no complete works, later historians mentioned his life. His story influenced Hellenistic thinkers and Renaissance scholars. Many invoked his example to highlight a life ruled by reason and virtue. They focused on its value regardless of external circumstances.
His words survive through paraphrased accounts by Plutarch and Diogenes Laertius. They remind us that wisdom remained esteemed even in an age of conquerors.
