Demonax is a Cypriot Cynic philosopher that almost no one knows about.

What is the essence of Cynic philosophy?

The Cynics are one of the Socratic schools in Ancient Greece, identifying virtue and goodness, practicing natural simplicity of life, such a natural minimization of needs, when the difference between pleasure and suffering loses ethical significance. Cynic philosophers were distinguished by rather provocative behavior (remember, for example, Diogenes).

Unlike his fellow countryman, the founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, the Cypriot philosopher Demonax (Demonact) is practically unknown. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, Demonax did not founded any separate philosophical movement, but was an adherent of the already established philosophy of the Cynics.

Secondly, the time of his life represents the decline and decline of ancient philosophy as such.

Plato and Aristotle do not mention Demonax in their works.

The philosopher is mentioned in only a few works, in particular by Lucian of Samosata in the entries entitled “The Life of Demonactus”.

In 1911, Ioannis Kondylakis published translations of Lucian’s works, the 7th volume of which included the work “Demonakt” (Biography of the Cynic Demonakt).

Demonax was a philosopher of freedom who practically proved its importance for finding happiness, using the Cynic approach. Demonax proclaimed freedom from social conventions and deceptive needs.

Lucian describes Demonax in vivid colors and presents him as the ideal of a practical philosopher, in contrast to other Cynics, whom Lucian did not favor and openly ridiculed.

Demonax's name also appears in the writings of 5th-century Eunapius, who in turn refers to Lucian. One might assume that Demonax is a figment of the imagination of an ancient Greek writer, but the name of the philosopher and his sayings can be found in anthologies compiled by later authors, which are not in the works of Lucian.

Demonax was born around 70 AD. in Cyprus in an influential and wealthy family.

“Considering himself worthy of higher things, he turned to philosophy,” writes Lucian.

Demonax travels to Athens, where he studies with the best philosophers of the time - Agathon, Demetrius and Epictetus. He studies poetry and trains his body “so that he won’t need anyone until he dies.”

For his merciful attitude towards others, his help to those who found themselves in difficult situations and his easy-going character, the Athenians immensely admired Demonax.

If a philosopher came into the house, it was a greater honor for the owners to feed the sage and offer him lodging for the night. Moreover, this visit was regarded by the inhabitants of Athens as a visit of a certain deity. Most people called him nothing more than father.

Despite the people's love, one day Demonax suffered a story similar to Socrates'. At one time, Socrates was accused of atheism because he did not take part in religious ceremonies. In his epigrams, Demonax also bravely argued that the gods do not need victims. On this basis, one day the angry Athenians were ready to throw stones at him, but Demonax, through the art of persuasion, forced them not to do this, after which he won universal respect.

Lucian describes the incident: “One of his friends once said to him: “Let’s go, Demonactus, to the temple of Asclepius, let’s pray for the health of our son.” “You consider Asclepius to be completely deaf,” answered Demonact, “for, in your opinion, he will not hear us if we pray to him from here.”

Demonax had a cheerful disposition. He was impartial and tried not to criticize people for their mistakes. He likened himself to a doctor who treats diseases, but should not be angry with the patient.

He often spoke about the futility of human existence and called for viewing blessings as something temporary. Wealth had no meaning for him, since Demonax was sure that it would not bring happiness.

He viewed the surrounding reality as something variable.

“There is definitely an end to the pleasant and the unpleasant,” said Demonax.

One day Demonax came to a man who, locked in a dark room, bitterly mourned his son. The philosopher declared that he was a magician and could bring the shadow of the deceased to earth, provided, however, that the unfortunate father would tell him the names of three people who had never had to mourn anyone. The man who lost his son could not name anyone. “Aren’t you ridiculous,” said Demonax, “believing that only you yourself are suffering unbearably, and not knowing anyone who is unfamiliar with grief?”

“Only one thing upset Demonakt: the illness or death of a friend, since, perhaps, he considered friendship to be the greatest of the benefits available to man. And therefore he himself was a friend to everyone, and he considered everyone, without exception, to be close to him precisely because he was a person. True, when communicating with people, Demonakt showed more affection towards some, less towards others, but he completely distanced himself only from those whose depravity, it seemed to him, no longer left any hope of correction,” writes Lucian.

One day Demonax found a very valuable and expensive ring. He announced the find and, realizing how many people would try to impersonate the owner, said that he would give the find to someone who could describe it in detail. Naturally, there were many people willing, but, as expected, no one was able to even approximately outline it. Finally, one very rich young man appeared, who, among other things, was the lover of a powerful and influential Athenian. His description was also far from the truth, to which Demonax replied: “I have no doubt that you have lost your ring, but you will not be able to get it back.”

When asked by one person how, in his opinion, happiness should be defined, Demonakt replied: “Only the free are happy.”

The interlocutor noted:

- There are many free people, few happy ones.

“But I,” said Demonax, “only consider free the one who hopes for nothing and fears nothing.”

- Is it really possible to find such a person? - the interlocutor noted, - After all, in most cases, we are all slaves of these feelings.

“However,” said Demonact, “if you think about human affairs, you will find that they are not worth either hope or fear, for everything is transitory: both sorrow and joy.”

When someone wondered whether a philosopher like Demonax really enjoyed eating honey cakes, he replied:

“Don’t you think that bees build their honeycombs only for fools?”

Demonax was once asked:

— When did you start philosophizing?

— When I began to discover flaws in myself.

While washing himself in the bathhouse one day, Demonax could not decide to go into the hot water. Someone began to reproach him for cowardice.

- Tell me, for the sake of the fatherland, should I do this? - Demonax objected.

Someone asked Demonax if he believed that the soul was immortal.

“Immortal,” he replied, “but no more than everything else.”

When asked how he would like to be buried, he replied: “Being useful.” He would like to become a useful dead thing, food for living organisms (vultures and dogs).

He ends his life with a mortal hunger strike at the age of one hundred years (about 170 AD).

The Athenians buried him at public expense with full honors. Many people took to the streets to see off the philosopher on his last journey. And the stone on which he used to sit began to be considered sacred.

A quote from Demonax is engraved on the tombstone of the greatest Greek author of the 20th century, Nikos Kazantzakis: “I hope for nothing. I'm not afraid of anything. I am free"

In 1935, one of the lunar craters was named Demonax.

Sources: cyprusbutterfly.com; wikipedia; Pinterest; brodude; vkcyprus.com.