Gymnosophists facts for kids
The Gymnosophists were a group of ancient Indian philosophers who lived a very simple life. The name "Gymnosophists" was given to them by the Greeks. It means "naked philosophers" because they often did not wear clothes. They believed that food and clothing could stop them from thinking clearly.
These philosophers were known for being vegetarians. Some Greek writers also mentioned Gymnosophists in Upper Egypt, calling them Ethiopian Gymnosophists.
In Greek literature, the Gymnosophists were often mentioned alongside other wise groups from different cultures. These included the Persian magi, the Chaldaeans from Assyria or Babylonia, the druids of the Celts, and the priests of Egypt. Some stories say that famous Greek thinkers like Lycurgus, Pythagoras, and Democritus might have met them.
Writers like Philo, Lucian, Clement of Alexandria, Philostratus, and Heliodorus of Emesa wrote about them. Their ideas might have influenced later Greek thinkers called Cynics and early Christian ascetics (people who live very simply). Many stories talk about the questions Alexander the Great asked the Gymnosophists and their clever answers.
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Alexander the Great Meets the Philosophers
The Greek writer Plutarch (who lived from about 46 to 120 CE) wrote about a famous meeting between Alexander the Great and ten Gymnosophists. This happened near the Indus River in what is now Pakistan.
Alexander had captured these philosophers because they had encouraged a local leader named Sabbas to rebel. Alexander knew they were very wise and good at giving short, smart answers. So, he decided to test them. He told them he would ask difficult questions. The first person to give a wrong answer would be put to death, and then the others in order. He chose the oldest philosopher to be the judge.
Here are some of the questions and answers:
- Alexander asked: Which are more numerous, the living or the dead?
* Philosopher answered: The living, because the dead no longer exist.
- Alexander asked: Does the earth or the sea produce larger animals?
* Philosopher answered: The earth, because the sea is just a part of the earth.
- Alexander asked: What animal is the most cunning (clever)?
* Philosopher answered: The one that humans haven't discovered yet.
- Alexander asked: Why did you encourage Sabbas to rebel?
* Philosopher answered: Because I wanted him to either die bravely or live with honor.
- Alexander asked: Which is older, day or night?
* Philosopher answered: Day, by one day. (When Alexander seemed unhappy with this, the philosopher added that unusual questions need unusual answers.)
- Alexander asked: How can a man be most loved?
* Philosopher answered: If he is very powerful but does not make people afraid.
- Alexander asked: How can one become a god instead of a man?
* Philosopher answered: By doing something that a man cannot do.
- Alexander asked: Which is stronger, life or death?
* Philosopher answered: Life, because it can handle so many troubles.
- Alexander asked: How long should a man live?
* Philosopher answered: Until he no longer thinks death is better than life.
After all the answers, Alexander asked the judge for his opinion. The judge said that each answer was worse than the last. Alexander then said, "Then you will die first for that judgment!" The judge replied, "That cannot be, King, unless you lied when you said you would put to death the one who answered worst first." Alexander was impressed and let the philosophers go, giving them gifts.
Influence on Greek Philosophy
The philosopher Diogenes Laërtius (who lived in the 3rd century AD) wrote that Pyrrho of Ellis was influenced by the Gymnosophists. Pyrrho traveled to India with Alexander the Great. When he returned home, he copied their simple way of life. This led him to start a new Greek philosophy called Pyrrhonism, which focused on questioning everything.
Another writer, Strabo (64 or 63 BC – c. AD 24), said that Gymnosophists were religious people in India. He divided Indian philosophers into two main groups: Brahmanas and Śramaṇas. He described the Sramanas as "Hylobioi" (forest hermits) and "Physicians."
- The Hylobioi lived in forests, ate leaves and wild fruits, wore clothes made from tree bark, and avoided women and wine.
- The Physicians were also very simple in their habits. They did not live in the fields but ate rice and flour given to them by others. Both groups practiced great strength and patience, sometimes staying in the same position all day without moving.
Different Kinds of Gymnosophists
Many ancient writers tried to understand who the Gymnosophists really were. They described different groups of Indian philosophers who lived simple, often clothing-free lives.
Indian Philosophers
The exact groups of Gymnosophists that the Greeks met in ancient India are not fully known. However, many modern scholars have suggested different possibilities:
- Brahmin: Some groups of Brahmins (a priestly class in Hinduism) lived naked in forests. They practiced strict self-control, shaved their heads, ate only fruit and milk, and spent their time meditating.
- Ājīvika: This was another ancient Indian group that did not wear clothes. Their ideas about how to live matched some of the ideas that Pyrrho brought back to Greece.
- Brachmanes: These are thought to be the same as the Brahmanas from the Vedic religion. They also lived without clothes.
- Digambara: The Jain Digambara monks went naked and taught about non-violence. They were often identified as Gymnosophists.
- Naga Sadhu: Some modern writers believe the Naga sadhus are like the Gymnosophists. These Hindu holy men are known for not wearing clothes and for learning martial arts. They often carry traditional weapons like the Trishula (a trident) and swords. They were known for defending their faith.
- Shramanas: This was a group of ancient Indian thinkers that included Digambara Jain monks and Buddhist priests. Researchers have also identified them as Gymnosophists.
Ethiopian Gymnosophists
The philosopher Apollonius of Tyana (who lived from about 15 to 100 AD) met philosophers in Upper Egypt and called them Ethiopian Gymnosophists. He had met the Gymnosophists of India before this and often compared the two groups. He believed the Ethiopian group might have come from the Indian ones. They lived without houses, only having a shelter for visitors. They did not wear clothes and compared themselves to Olympic athletes. They shared their vegetarian meals with him.
Images for kids
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Alexander meets the Gymnosophists. Great Mongol Shahnameh, c. 1335. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
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Map of Alexander the Great's empire and his route to India
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