Dia'goras

Dia'goras (surnamed the 'atheist'), a Greek poet and philosopher, was born in Melos, an island of the Cyclades. He is said to have been a disciple of Democritus of Abdera, and he is alluded to by Aristophanes in the Clouds (424 B.C.). He seems to have been witty and fearless, and probably treated the superstitions of the popular religion with contempt. He was formally accused of impiety in 411, and only saved his life by flight to Pallene, and afterwards to Corinth, where he died. He wrote lyrics and a philosophical work, none of which have been preserved.