Who was Xenophanes?
Q: Who was Xenophanes?
A: Xenophanes was a Greek philosopher, poet, and social and religious critic who lived between c. 570 – c. 475 BC.
Q: What is the source of our knowledge about Xenophanes' views?
A: Our knowledge about Xenophanes' views comes from fragments of his poetry that have survived as quotations by later Greek writers.
Q: What were some ideas that Xenophanes criticized and satirized in his poetry?
A: Xenophanes criticized and satirized a wide range of ideas such as Homer and Hesiod, the belief in the pantheon of anthropomorphic gods, and the Greeks' love of athletics and athleticism.
Q: What was Xenophanes' goal in writing poetry?
A: Xenophanes' goal in writing poetry was to create "fame that will reach all of Greece, and never die while the Greek kind of songs survives" and to write for future generations.
Q: What did Xenophanes think about the belief in the pantheon of anthropomorphic gods?
A: Xenophanes criticized the belief in the pantheon of anthropomorphic gods in his poetry.
Q: Was Xenophanes only a poet?
A: No, Xenophanes was not only a poet. He was also a Greek philosopher and social and religious critic.
Q: What cultural phenomenon did Xenophanes criticize in his poetry?
A: Xenophanes criticized the Greeks' love of athletics and athleticism in his poetry.
