141

Logic IV. 147

Since Timaeus wrote his work in Athens where Epicurus also resided, we must suppsoe that the idea was more or less rife in Athens. It may be that Demochares, or possible Demophilus, or some other of those who made speeches against Aristotle at his trial in contumaciam for impiety the year before his death, made it an aggravation of his impeity that he was an old man. In that case, Demochares would probably have inserted this point in the book which we afterward wrote, which contained many malicious statements; and this book would be cherished by such persons as Timaeus and Epicurus. Or, since it was [removed?] that Aristotle took poison after having been condemned for impiety, just as Socrates had done, possibly this may have led those which wished to make this believed to say that he was of jus thte same age as Socrates was when he behaved in the same foolish way. But both explanations are un-