Diagŏras
(
Διαγόρας).
1.
A native of the island of Melos and a follower of Democritus. Having been sold as a captive
in his youth, he was redeemed by Democritus and trained up in the study of philosophy. He
attached himself also to lyric poetry and was much distinguished for his success. His name,
however, has been transmitted to posterity as that of an avowed advocate for the rejection of
all religious belief. It is expressly asserted by ancient writers that when, in a particular
instance, he saw a perjured person escape punishment, he publicly declared his disbelief of
Divine Providence, and from that time spoke of the gods and all religious ceremonies with
ridicule and contempt. He even attempted to lay open the sacred Mysteries, writing two books
on the subject, called
Φρύγιοι. A price at last was set
upon his head, and he fled to Corinth, where he died. He lived about 416 years before Christ
(
Cic. N. D. i. 23;
iii. 37; Val. Max. i. 1.7).
2.
An athlete of Rhodes, who gained the prize in pugilism at the Olympic Games, B.C. 464. His
victory was celebrated by Pindar in an ode which is still extant (
Olymp. vii.), and which is said to have been inscribed in golden letters in the
temple of the Lindian Athené at Rhodes. According to Pindar, he twice obtained the
victory in the games of Rhodes, four times at the Isthmian, and was successful also at the
Nemean and other contests. Aulus Gellius (iii. 15) informs us that he saw his three sons
crowned on the same day at the Olympic Games and expired through joy.