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{{Short description|4th-century BC Greek philosopher}}
'''Clearchus of Soli''' ({{langx|el|Kλέαρχoς ὁ Σολεύς}}, ''Klearkhos ho Soleus'') was a [[Greeks|Greek]] [[Greek philosophers|philosopher]] of the 4th–3rd century BCE, belonging to [[Aristotle]]'s [[Peripatetic school]]. He was born in [[Soli, Cyprus|Soli]] in [[Classical Cyprus|Cyprus]].

He wrote extensively on eastern cultures, and is thought to have traveled to the [[Bactria]]n city of [[Ai-Khanoum]] (Alexandria on the Oxus) in modern [[Afghanistan]].

==Writings==
Clearchus wrote extensively around {{BCE|320}} on Oriental cultures, from [[Land of Israel|Israel]] to [[Persia]] to [[India]], and several fragments from him are known. His book "Of Education" (Greek: {{lang|grc|Περὶ παιδείας}}, {{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri paideiās}}) was cited by [[Diogenes Laërtius]].

Clearchus in particular expressed several theories on the connection between western and eastern religions. In "Of Education", he wrote that "the [[gymnosophists]] are descendants of the [[Magi]]".

In another text, [[Josephus]] the first-century Romano-Jewish scholar claimed that Clearchus has reported a dialogue with [[Aristotle]], where the philosopher states that the [[Hebrews]] were descendants of the Indian philosophers:

{{quote|Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea; but for the name of their city, it is a very awkward one, for they call it Jerusalem.|[[Josephus]], [[Contra Apionem]], I, 22.<ref>Excerpt of Chapter I-22, Josephus, Contra Apionem:
"For Clearchus, who was the scholar of Aristotle, and inferior to no one of the Peripatetics whomsoever, in his first book concerning sleep, says that "Aristotle his master related what follows of a Jew," and sets down Aristotle's own discourse with him. The account is this, as written down by him:

"Now, for a great part of what this Jew said, it would be too long to recite it; but what includes in it both wonder and philosophy it may not be amiss to discourse of. Now, that I may be plain with thee, Hyperochides, I shall herein seem to thee to relate wonders, and what will resemble dreams themselves. Hereupon Hyperochides answered modestly, and said, For that very reason it is that all of us are very desirous of hearing what thou art going to say. Then replied Aristotle, for this cause it will be the best way to imitate that rule of the Rhetoricians, which requires us first to give an account of the man, and of what nation he was, that so we may not contradict our master's directions. Then said Hyperochides, Go on, if it so pleases thee. This man then, [answered Aristotle,] was by birth a Jew, and came from Celesyria; these Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea; but for the name of their city, it is a very awkward one, for they call it Jerusalem. Now this man, when he was hospitably treated by a great many, came down from the upper country to the places near the sea, and became a Grecian, not only in his language, but in his soul also; insomuch that when we ourselves happened to be in Asia about the same places whither he came, he conversed with us, and with other philosophical persons, and made a trial of our skill in philosophy; and as he had lived with many learned men, he communicated to us more information than he received from us."

This is Aristotle's account of the matter, as given us by Clearchus; which Aristotle discoursed also particularly of the great and wonderful fortitude of this Jew in his diet, and
continent way of living, as those that please may learn more about him from Clearchus's book itself; for I avoid setting down any more than is sufficient for my purpose." [http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2849 Josephus, Contra Apionem, I]</ref>
}}

The original term used for the Calami people in Greek was ''Καλανοί''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Flavius |first=Josephus |author-link=Josephus |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+Ap.+1.22&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0215 |title=Contra Apionem |publisher=[[Weidmannsche Buchhandlung]] |year=1892 |editor-last=Niese |editor-first=Benedikt |editor-link=Benedikt Niese |location=Berlin |language=el |translator-last=Whiston |translator-first=William |trans-title=Against Apion |chapter=1.22.180 |quote=κἀκεῖνος τοίνυν τὸ μὲν γένος ἦν Ἰουδαῖος ἐκ τῆς κοίλης Συρίας. οὗτοι δέ εἰσιν ἀπόγονοι τῶν ἐν Ἰνδοῖς φιλοσόφων, καλοῦνται δέ, ὥς φασιν, οἱ φιλόσοφοι παρὰ μὲν Ἰνδοῖς Καλανοί, παρὰ δὲ Σύροις Ἰουδαῖοι τοὔνομα λαβόντες ἀπὸ τοῦ τόπου: προσαγορεύεται γὰρ ὃν κατοικοῦσι τόπον Ἰουδαία. τὸ δὲ τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν ὄνομα πάνυ σκολιόν ἐστιν: Ἱερουσαλήμην γὰρ αὐτὴν καλοῦσιν. |chapter-url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+Ap.+1.22&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0215 |via=[[Perseus Digital Library]]}}</ref> (Kalanoi), which is derived from the Indian ascetic [[Kalanos|Calanus]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Verhasselt |first=Gertjan |date=28 October 2024 |editor-last=Mayhew |editor-first=Robert |editor2-last=Mirhady |editor2-first=David C. |title=The Seven Sages and the Inscription of Ai Khanoum |url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/69914492/08_Verhasselt_Sages_FINAL-libre.pdf?1632064871=&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B+filename%3DThe_Seven_Sages_and_the_Inscription_of_A.pdf&Expires=1737371412&Signature=aKjAx7t0dviSIwfroHcl26-2bBrd1BXi8C1s-8i3u1r4R4309AM-d2ra-E-Q29NTRF3uCJtoiZtqDEYaX8HFRQkbdDj15wz2dpMUVASTbYT15XNrhK2EsI~~6yB169h1PcKPhDU6jHJ0Fqqur3bc5HXnc4N-7~klhnrM66wZ8tpug56skAdgj6XhmjwsI2OHKWYbkPeDbeAOxl87EZd3XkAkW7Vic0UcftKY7sILjHsewYaq3DU9gMi~r9TfGMgE~dpR8rlgLbJz6l-lsqDPSJ1OqjmNj4Gcsk3aoEaplkwAz2EIQ--YMQ3jB7jumG-RLphVywLFA4m4c-fYd94qTA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA |journal=Clearchus of Soli: Text, Translation, and Discussion |language=en |location=605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |pages=539 |doi=10.4324/9781003147510 |doi-broken-date=26 June 2025 |isbn=9781003147510 |quote=According to Tsitsiridis (2010) 297 n. 19; (2013) 59, Clearchus did not rely on Megasthenes, since he did not use the names found in Megasthenes (Βραχμᾶνοι and Συρμᾶνοι) but instead calls the Gymnosophists Καλανοί (after the Indian sage Calanus). |via=[[Academia]]}}</ref> 

His works included also:<ref>[[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, William]] (editor); ''[[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]]'', {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20051219053602/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0790.html "Clearchus"]}}, [[Boston]], (1867)</ref>
* ''{{lang|grc|Βίοι}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Bioi}}); a work on the right way of life, in at least eight volumes
*  A commentary on [[Plato]]'s ''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]''
* ''{{lang|grc|Πλάτωνος ἐγκώμιον}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Platōnos enkōmion}}); [[eulogy]] to Plato
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ τῶν ἐν τῇ Πλάτωνος Πολιτείᾳ μαϑηματικῶς ἐιρημένων}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri tōn en tē Platōnos Polīteiā mathēmatikōs eirēmenōn}}); on the mathematical subjects in Plato's [[Republic (dialogue)|Republic]]
* ''{{lang|grc|Γεργίϑιος}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Gergithios}}); a treatise on flattery
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ φιλίας}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri filiās}}); on friendship
* ''{{lang|grc|Παροιμίαι}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Paroimiai}}); proverbs
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ γρίφων}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri griphōn}}); on riddles
* ''{{lang|grc|Ἐρωτικά}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Erōtika}}); a probably historical collection of love-stories with some very odd questions on the subject
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ γραφῶν}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri graphōn}}); on paintings
* ''{{lang|grc|Περιγραφαί}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Perigraphai}}); ? the reading in [[Athenaeus]] is doubtful (XIV 648f)
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ νάρκης}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri narkēs}}); on the [[electric ray]]
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ τῶν ἐνύδρων}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri tōn enudrōn}}); on water-animals
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ ϑινῶν}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri thīnōn}}); on sand-wastes
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ σκελετῶν}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri skeletōn}}); an anatomical work
* ''{{lang|grc|Περὶ ὕπνου}}'' ({{transliteration|el|ISO|Peri upnou}}); on sleep (genuineness questionable)

There is some question as to whether the work on military tactics cited by [[Aelianus Tacticus]] should be ascribed to Clearchus of Soli or [[Clearchus of Heraclea]].

==Travels==
[[File:KineasInscriptionSharp.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Stone block with the inscriptions of Clearchus of Soli. [[Ai-Khanoum]], 2nd century BC.]]
In the [[Bactria]]n city of [[Ai-Khanoum]], near the border with India, Greek verses, brought to city by Clearchus from [[Delphi]], were dedicated to the founder of the city named Kineas. On a [[Heroon|Herôon]] (funerary monument), identified in Greek as the tomb of Kineas (also described as the ''[[oikistes]]'' (founder) of the Greek settlement) and dated to 300-250 BC, the inscription says:<ref>[[:s:el:Άϊ-Χανούμ Δελφικό επίγραμμα|Delphic epigram in Ai-Khanoum (Wikisource in Greek)]]</ref>

{{poemquote|As children, learn good manners.
As young men, learn to control the passions.
In middle age, be just.
In old age, give good advice.
Then die, without regret.|(Ai Khanoum inscription)}}

The precepts were placed by a Greek named Clearchus, thought to be Clearchus of Soli, who had copied them from [[Delphi]]:

{{quote|Whence Klearchos, having copied them carefully, set them up, shining from afar, in the sanctuary of Kineas|(Ai Khanoum inscription) }}

Clearchus of Soli was a contemporary and compatriot of [[Stasanor]] (born in the same city of Soli, in Cyprus), who was a general of [[Alexander the Great]] and later [[satrap]] of [[Bactria]] and [[Sogdiana]].

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
<references/>

{{Peripatetics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clearchus Of Soli}}
[[Category:Ancient Cypriots]]
[[Category:Greek-language commentators on Plato]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Greek philosophers]]
[[Category:Cypriot non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Peripatetic philosophers]]
[[Category:Speechwriters]]
[[Category:Philosophers and tutors of Alexander the Great]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:Hellenistic-era philosophers in Athens]]