- This is about the figure who inspired Shakespeare's Timon of Athens. For the Greek philosopher from Phlius, see Timon (philosopher).
Timon of Athens was a citizen of Athens whose reputation for misanthropy grew to legendary status. According to the historian Plutarch, Timon lived during the Peloponnesian War (431 BC–404 BC). According to Lucian, Timon was the son of Echecratides. He was rich and lavished his money on flattering friends who left when it ran out. Timon was then reduced to working in the fields. One day, he found a pot of gold, and soon his fairweather friends were back. This time, he drove them away with dirt clods. Both Aristophanes and Plato Comicus mention him as an angry hater of mankind who held Alcibiades in high regard because he correctly believed Alcibiades would someday harm Athens. He is the inspiration for the William Shakespeare play Timon of Athens.
See also
References
- A. Macc. Armstrong. Timon of Athens - A Legendary Figure? Greece & Rome, 2nd Ser., Vol. 34, No. 1 (Apr., 1987), pp. 7-11
