Aristo of Ceos was a Greek philosopher active in the 3rd century BCE. He belonged to the Peripatetic school, the tradition founded by Aristotle, and he served as its head in Athens for approximately eighteen years, likely from around 225 to 190 BCE. He was a student of the philosopher Lyco and succeeded him as leader of the school.
None of Aristo's own writings survive intact; they are known only through fragments and references in later authors. He is reported to have written several works, which are believed to have included treatises on ethics and possibly a work On Old Age. According to modern scholars, he was also significant as a biographer, having written a life of his teacher Lyco and perhaps of other philosophers, helping to preserve the school's history.
His historical importance lies in his role as a scholarch who maintained the Peripatetic school during the Hellenistic period. He was a recognized figure in philosophical debates of his time; the prominent Stoic philosopher Chrysippus wrote a critique of Aristo's ethical views. Later Roman writers like Cicero praised his clear and elegant literary style, which helped keep his name alive even after his works were lost.
Available Works
Sources
- Stanford Encyclopedia Entry (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia Entry (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics) Accessed: 2026-01-26