Diagoras of Melos

Diagoras Of Melos a Greek philosopher, was surnamed tle Atheist, and lived in the time of Socrates and Aristophanes. He must have removed from his native island to Athens before the performance of the Clouds of Aristophanes, B.C. 423, for he is alluded to in that piece as one well known to the Athenians. He attacked the Eleusinian mysteries, and ridiculed the popular religion. He was a disciple of Democritus of Abdera. In 411 he was accused of impiety, but the real trouble was his politics. He left the city, fearing the result of a trial, and was condemned to death by the court. He died at Corinth. His works are lost.