Page "Phylarchus" Paragraph 1

Phylarchus was a contemporary of Aratus, in the 3rd century BC.

His birthplace is doubtful.

We learn from the Suda that three different cities are mentioned as his native place, Athens, Naucratis in Egypt, or Sicyon ; but as Athenaeus calls him an Athenian or Naucratian, we may leave the claims of Sicyon out of the question.

We may therefore conclude that he was born either at Athens or Naucratis ; and it is probable that the latter was his native town, and that he afterwards removed to Athens, where he spent the greater part of his life.

Respecting the date of Phylarchus there is less uncertainty.

We learn from Polybius that Phylarchus was a contemporary of Aratus, and gave an account of the same events as the latter did in his history.

Aratus died 213 BC, and his work ended at 220 BC ; we may therefore place Phylarchus at about 215 BC.