Phaedon
(
Φαίδων). A Greek philosopher, was a native of Elis, and
of high birth, but was taken prisoner, probably about B.C. 400, and was brought to Athens. It
is said that he ran away from his master to Socrates, and was ransomed by one of the friends
of the latter. Phaedon was present at the death of Socrates, while he was still quite a youth.
He appears to have lived in Athens some time after the death of Socrates, and then returned to
Elis, where he became the founder of a school of philosophy. He was succeeded by Plistanus,
after whom the Elean School was merged in the Eretrian (
Gell. ii.
18). The dialogue of Plato, which contains an account of the death of Socrates, bears
the name of Phaedon. See
Socrates.