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'Demetrius Phalereus' (died c. 280 BC) was an Athenian orator originally from Phalerum, a student of Aristotle and Theophrastus^[1] and one of the first Peripatetics. Demetrius wrote extensively on the subjects of history, rhetoric, and literary criticism.
When Xenocrates was unable to pay the new tax on metics (foreign residents), and the Athens threatened him with slavery, Demetrius purchased his debt and paid his tax.
From 317 BC to 307 BC he was despot of Athens, serving under Cassander, who installed him. During his tenure he instituted extensive legal reforms. Carystius of Pergamum mentions that he had a lover by the name of Diognis, of whom all the Athenian boys were jealous. (F.H.G. Fr. 10, in Hubbard, 2003, p.75)
When Demetrius I of Macedon took Athens, Demetrius Phalereus was overthrown, and he fled to Egypt. In Egypt Demetrius met Ptolemy I. According to Strabo (13.608, 17.793-4), Demetrius inspired the creation of the Mouseion, better known as the Library of Alexandria, which was modeled after the arrangement of Aristotle's school. The Mouseion contained a ''peripatos'' (covered walkway), a ''syssition'' (room for communal dining) and a categorized organization of scrolls.
Demetrius went into exile a second time on the accession of Ptolemy Philadelphus; he died soon afterward.

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1. Strabo 9.1.13