Phaedo of Elis (/ˈfiːdoʊ/; also, Phaedon; Ancient Greek: Φαίδων ὁ Ἠλεῖος, gen.: Φαίδωνος; fl.
[1] Born in the last years of the 5th century BCE, Phaedo was a native of Elis and of high birth.
[1] He was taken prisoner in his youth, and passed into the hands of an Athenian slave dealer; being of considerable personal beauty,[2] he was forced into prostitution.
As to their authenticity, nothing is known, in spite of an attempt at verification by Panaetius,[9] who maintained that the Zopyrus and the Simon were genuine.
[1][10] Besides these Diogenes Laërtius mentions as of doubtful authenticity the Nicias, Medius, Antimachus or Elder, and Scythian Discourse.
[12] Seneca has preserved one of his dicta, concerning the results of frequenting the company of good (or bad) people:[1][13] Phaedo says: "Certain tiny animals do not leave any pain when they sting us; so subtle is their power, so deceptive for purposes of harm.