DIAGOR (Diagoras)

Diagor, Diagoras of Melos, V in. BC. e., known as an atheist (atheos), Greek poet. Because his name is sometimes called among the poets, and sometimes also among philosophers, some researchers believed that there were two D. - Pious poet and philosopher-atheist. Contrary to legend, the D. was not a disciple of Democritus, or the teacher of Socrates. But he participated in the drafting of laws for the inhabitants Mantinea (ca. 425 g.). In Athens, famous for ridicule over the mysteries of the Eleusinian mysteries and critical attitude to the faith in the gods. Ok. 415 g. he was accused of impiety. D. - From the creative heritage of the D. survived only 2 small fragment of poetry (5 poems). In the first half of IV in. BC. e. unknown sophist issued under the name D. essay atheistic content Apopyrgizontes (the title is not quite clear and variously translated), which, however, soon lost. In the Hellenistic period, D. attributed to the nature of the product efmeristicheskogo Phrygian story. Another Aristoxenus of Tarentum, considered the first product is not genuine, because he knew D. a devout poet. Later formed the legend of D. atheist, . also include an explanation of the reasons for his unbelief (gods punished perjurer, . lied D.), . and a few anecdotes, . illustrating his infidelity (eg, . Cooking with fire, . which burned a statue of Hercules).,