Pre Socratic Collection

Heraclitus portrayed as Michelangelo, detail from the School of Athens in the Stanza della Segnatura, 1510-11 (fresco)
3362163 Heraclitus portrayed as Michelangelo, detail from the School of Athens in the Stanza della Segnatura, 1510-11 (fresco) by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio of Urbino) (1483-1520)

Thales of Miletus (c. 625-547 BC), illustration from
CHT231185 Thales of Miletus (c.625-547 BC), illustration from Veterum et Recentium Medicorum Philosophorumque Icones by Johannes Sambucus (1531-1584)

Heraclitus and Democritus (oil on canvas)
3496704 Heraclitus and Democritus (oil on canvas) by Figino, Ambrogio Giovanni (1548-1608); 52x73 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Giovanni Ambrogio Figino-Eraclito e Democrito 52x73cm)

Hippocrates and Democritus (oil on canvas)
808705 Hippocrates and Democritus (oil on canvas) by Berchem, Nicolaes Pietersz. (1620-83); 67.5x81.4 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Hippocrates of Kos (c.460-c.370 BC)

Heraclitus playing at dice with boys in order to show his contempt for the usual
3614275 Heraclitus playing at dice with boys in order to show his contempt for the usual occupations of men, from Hutchinsons History of the Nations, pub.1915 by English School

Anaximander (610 546 BC) with a sundial. Roman mosaic. 3rd
Anaximander (610- 546 BC). Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in Miletus. He belonged to the Milesian school and learned the teachings of his master Thales. Anaximandder with a sundial

Thales of Miletus, circa 624 BC - circa 546 BC. Pre Socratic Greek philosopher from Miletus, Ionia, Asia Minor. (Near Balat, Aydin Province)

Heraclitus of Ephesus aka The Obscure or The Weeping Philosopher, circa 535 BC - circa 475 BC

Thales, Ancient Greek philosopher
Thales of Miletus (c.624-c.546 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and the first identifiable scientist

Heraclitus of Ephesus. Portrait
Heraclitus of Ephesus (535-475 BC). Pre-socratic Greek philosopher. Heraclitus figured by Michelangelo. Detail of the fresco The School of Athens by Raphael. Raphaels Rooms. Apostolic Palace

Anaximenes (c. 610-547 BC). Greek philosopher of the Ionian school and one of the first to place the origin of the universe on a principle called infinite

BAL2909529 by Rosa, Salvator (1615-73); State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; Italian, out of copyright

Democritean Universe. 17th-century artwork of the atomistic universe proposed by the Ancient Greek philosopher Democritus (c.460-370 BC). The artwork was published in 1675

The Seven Sages of Greece, 7th century BC
The Seven Sages of Greece. The traditions of Ancient Greece named seven philosophers and statesmen from the 7th and 6th centuries BC as the wisest of men

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The Pre-Socratic philosophers were a group of thinkers who lived in ancient Greece before the time of Socrates. They laid the foundation for Western philosophy and made significant contributions to various fields such as science, mathematics, and metaphysics. This caption explores some iconic artworks depicting these influential figures. Anaximander (610-546 BC) is portrayed in a Roman mosaic holding a sundial, symbolizing his interest in astronomy and cosmology. His theories about the origin of the universe influenced later philosophers. Heraclitus, depicted by Michelangelo in the School of Athens fresco, represents his enigmatic nature as "The Obscure" or "The Weeping Philosopher. " Heraclitus believed that change was fundamental to existence and famously stated that "everything flows. " Thales of Miletus (c. 625-547 BC), illustrated from an ancient artwork by Jacob de Gheyn, was known for his mathematical discoveries and philosophical ideas about water being the primary substance from which all things arise. Another painting shows Heraclitus engaging with Democritus through a game of dice. This scene highlights Heraclitus' disdain for conventional wisdom while emphasizing Democritus' atomic theory proposing that matter consists of indivisible particles called atoms. In another artwork featuring Hippocrates alongside Democritus, their collaboration signifies their shared interest in medicine and natural sciences during this period. A portrait captures Heraclitus alone; he appears contemplative and deep in thought—a representation fitting for someone known as one of history's most profound thinkers. Anaximenes (c. 610-547 BC), another Pre-Socratic philosopher, is not directly depicted here but should be acknowledged for his belief that air is the fundamental element underlying all existence. These artworks provide glimpses into the lives and philosophies of these remarkable individuals who paved the way for future philosophical inquiry. Their ideas continue to shape our understanding of reality and inspire generations of thinkers.