A significant new edition of the so-called Presocratics. The fragments and testimonies of the early Greek philosophers (often referred to as 'Presocratics') have always been a fundamental source for understanding irrational Greek culture and ancient philosophy, as well as a constantly fresh source that has infused Western thought to this day. This new systematic conception and presentation of the material differs in three ways from Hermann Diels' innovative work, as well as from later editions: it explicitly captures the thematic organization of the material, includes selections from relevant data sources such as ancient poetry, classic drama, and the medical text of Hippocrates, and presents an overview of the reception of these thinkers until the end of antiquity.

Volume I contains introductory and reference materials necessary for the use of all other sections of the edition. Volume II presents preparatory chapters on ancient doxography, the cosmological and ethical background, and includes the early Ionian thinkers Pherecydes, Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. Volume III includes the early Ionian thinkers Xenophanes and Heraclitus. Volume IV presents Pythagoras and the school of Pythagoreans, including Hippasus, Philolaus, Euryto, Archytas, Hecatæus, and Ecbantus, along with chapters on unassigned doctrines and their reception.

Volume V includes the Western Greek thinkers Parmenides, Zeno, Melissus, Empedocles, Alcmaeon, and Hippocrates. Volume VI includes the later Ionian and Athenian thinkers Anaxagoras, Archelaus, and Diogenes of Apollonia, along with chapters on early Greek medicine and the Derveni Papyrus. Volume VII includes the atomists Leucippus and Democritus. Volume VIII includes the so-called Sophists Protagoras and Gorgias, as well as testimonies related to the life, views, and argumentative style of Socrates. Volume IX includes the so-called Sophists Antiphon, Lycophron, and Xenias, along with the Anonymous of Iamblichus, the Double Speeches, a chapter on the characteristics of the 'Sophists' as a group, and an appendix on philosophy and philosophers in Greek drama.

Pages: 384, Year of Publication: 1031, Dimensions: 10.8x10.8cm