Xenophilus

Xenophilus, a philosopher and music theorist from Chalcidice, lived in the first half of the 4th century BC. He was a Pythagorean and is notable for being the only known Pythagorean to reside in Athens during the 4th century BC. Aulus Gellius describes Xenophilus as a close friend and teacher to Aristoxenus, imparting Pythagorean doctrines to him. Diogenes Laërtius records an anecdote where Xenophilus advised that the best way to educate a son was to make him a citizen of a well-governed state. Pseudo-Lucian, in his work 'Macrobii', suggests that Xenophilus lived for 105 years. This longevity, coupled with a claim by Pliny the Elder that Xenophilus remained in perfect health throughout his life, contributed to his considerable fame during the Renaissance.