Named for the great Greek philosopher Anaximander of Miletus (610–546 B.C.). A pupil of Thales {see planet  (6001)}, he wrote treatises on geography, astronomy and cosmology. From all this only the so-called B 1 fragment remains. Although it barely embraces nine sentences, it may be considered as the oldest philosophical citation. Anaximander derived the world from the apeiron (unlimited), which is the arche (beginning) and principal element, from which all existing things owe their birth and to which they will eventually return. Although a rationalist, he described the emergence of particular substances in metaphors, drawn from human society, in which physical injustices (hot or cold may not prevail forever) are penalized. (M 24918) _ _.