Théophraste , in Greek old Θεόφραστος (Érésos, Lesbos v. 372 av. J. - C. - Athens v. 287 av. J. - C.), Greek philosopher of the school of the College.

Of origin lesbosienne, it is called initially Tyrtamos. It leaves to study, young person, philosophy with Athens. He is the pupil of Plato then of Aristote, which calls it Θεόφραστος, “divine speaker”. Aristote also makes of it its successor with the head of the College. At this station, it has more than two thousand pupils, if one follows the tradition, of which the poet Ménandre.

Its speciality is the Natural science, and more especially the Botanique, subject of two works, Histoire of the plants (Περὶ Φυτῶν Ιστορίας) and Causes of the plants (Περὶ Φυτῶν Αἰτιῶν). It is him which is at the origin of theoretical differentiation between Animal kingdom and Vegetable kingdom, distinction which allows the birth of a true news disciplines: the Botanical . Its Histoire of the plants treats morphology and classification of the plants. Théophraste also gives information on their use. The Causes of the plants tackles problems on the vegetable Physiologie in particular on the growth and the reproduction. For that, it forges a specific descriptive vocabulary which enables him to describe the various parts of a Plante. In its writings, it interferes personal observations and knowledge with the old authors or his time. Théophraste evokes also remote species which were reported after the conquests of Alexandre Large the or which it receives from Egypt. It mentions in all more than 550 species which one can still identify, the majority are useful for the Agriculture. Théophraste the class in four groups: trees, shrubs, shrubs and the grasses (i.e. plants not Woody). It is conscious of the arbitrary aspect of this system and is appropriate that a plant can be classified in several groups. After Théophraste and until the Rebirth, the botanical studies are nothing any more but the old resumption of work without innovative elements.

He is also the author of a treaty On the stones (Περὶ Λίθων) and of Caractères (Ἠθικοὶ Χαρακτῆρες) of which is inspired, several centuries later, Jean of the Heather.

Catalog works of Théophraste

According to Diogène Laërce (V, 42 - 50), Théophraste wrote 230.850 lines; it gives the following titles:

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