Aristoxĕnus
(
Ἀριστόξενος). A Greek philosopher and musician, a native
of Tarentum, and a pupil of Aristotle. He lived about B.C. 330, and was a prolific writer on
various subjects, but most particularly on music. In contrast with the Pythagoreans, who
referred everything to the relations of numbers, he regarded music as founded on the
difference of tones as perceived by the ear. Of his
Ἁρμονικὰ Στοιχεῖα three books are preserved, but they are neither complete
nor in their original shape. They have been edited by Marquard
(Berlin, 1869) and
Saran
(Leipzig, 1893). Only a part of his
Ῥυθμικὰ
Στοιχεῖα has survived. See
Musica.