Lyceum (Aristotle)

The Lyceum (Greek: Λύκειον, Lykeion) was Aristotle's philosophical school, named after its site at an Athenian public exercise park, or "gymnasium". The name derived from the dedication of the gymnasium to Apollo Lyceus.

Aristotle founded the school upon his return to Athens in c. 334 BCE after a period spent in Macedon as the tutor of the young prince Alexander (who later became known as Alexander the Great). Aristotle and the students of the Lyceum became known as the "peripatetics", because of their habit of walking up and down while discussing philosophy (an alternative, though related, derivation is from the peripatos, or covered stoa in the Lyceum garden where Aristotle lectured).

Aristotle taught and developed his philosophical theories in the Lyceum for eleven years, until the death of Alexander in 322 BCE led to the public release of anti-Macedonian feelings; Aristotle was charged with impiety (the same charge which had led to the execution of Socrates), and was forced to leave for exile in Macedon. He died a year later.