The Characters of Theophrastus A Translation, with Introduction

Theophrastus was an ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist. A native of Eresos in Lesbos, he was Aristotle's close colleague and successor as head of the Lyceum, the Peripatetic school of philosophy in Athens. Theophrastus wrote numerous treatises across all areas of philosophy, working to support, improve, expand, and develop the Aristotelian system. He made significant contributions to various fields, including ethics, metaphysics, botany, and natural history. Often considered the "father of botany" for his groundbreaking works "Enquiry into Plants" and "On the Causes of Plants," Theophrastus established the foundations of botanical science. His given name was Tyrtamos ; the nickname Theophrastus was reputedly given to him by Aristotle in recognition of his eloquent style.