1. 585 – 526 B.C.

2. Inhabitant of Miletus. Was the last Greek Philosopher of the Milesian School, which was founded by Thales. Student of Anaximander. Unfortunately not much is known about his life. Background

3. Random Facts about Miletus in the 6 th Century Anaximenes’ life and philosophies flourished in the mid 6 th century. At the time, Miletus contested with Samos for the possession of Priene. Known for its philosophers (Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes) Famous for purple dye, furniture and wool. The city fell to the Persians in 494.

4. The Theory He believed that air was the source of all things. Believed that at one time, everything was made of air. However then the air was acted upon by natural forces to be altered into other materials, which became the world that we live in today. According to him, Earth was a flat disk which floated on air.

5. More….Theory “Aer (air) differs in essence in accordance with its rarity or density. When it is thinned it becomes fire, while when it is condensed it becomes wind, then cloud, when still more condensed it becomes water, then earth, then stones. Everything else comes from these.” This theory is explained by two contrary processes: rarefaction and condensation.

6. Rarefaction and Condensation Rarefaction- a decrease in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, caused by the passage of a soundwave. He believed that when air was rarefied it became fire. Condensation- the result of being more compact However, when air was condensed a little, it became the wind. Condensed a little more…it became water And so on….

7. Don’t Question…Just Do It! 1.Put your hand in front of your mouth. 2.Open your mouth and relax your lips. 3.Now breathe out slowly.

8. And Again…. Put your hand in front of your mouth again. But this time tighten your lips and push your lips together. Now breathe out.

9. Explanation This was one way Anaximenes provided us with evidence a change in density and rarity could change something. Rarefaction led to heat and density led to coolness. Shows how air is portrayed as the breath of life.

10. Lightning and Thunder= wind breaking through clouds. Rainbows= rays of the sun falling on the clouds. Earthquakes= cracking of the when it dries out.