Aspasius was a Peripatetic philosopher active during the Roman Imperial period, most likely in the early 2nd century CE. Very little is known about his personal life or origins. His historical importance stems from his role as one of the earliest known commentators on the works of Aristotle.
His only surviving work is a commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, covering several of its books. This commentary is the earliest complete Greek commentary on any of Aristotle's works that has come down to us. He also wrote commentaries on other works by Aristotle, such as the Categories and Physics, but these are now lost.
His surviving commentary shows how Aristotle's ideas were taught and interpreted in the centuries after his death. His work represents the early Peripatetic scholarly tradition and was influential for later philosophers. Some academics suggest that his interpretations, particularly on topics like emotion and aretē, were cited and engaged with by significant later thinkers, including Alexander of Aphrodisias.
Available Works
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