Hermeias of Atarneus was a ruler and a close associate of Aristotle. After being captured by the Persians, he was subjected to severe torture in an attempt to extract information regarding his political alliances and activities. Despite the brutal treatment, he remained steadfast. Aristotle later honored his memory by writing a hymn and dedicating a monument to him, reflecting the deep personal and intellectual bond they shared.

After leaving Plato's Academy, Aristotle founded his own school in Athens known as the Lyceum, located in a grove dedicated to Apollo Lyceus. It became a center for systematic research and teaching, where Aristotle and his followers, known as Peripatetics, engaged in diverse studies ranging from biology and physics to ethics and political theory.

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, anti-Macedonian sentiment surged in Athens. Aristotle, who had close ties to the Macedonian court, faced political pressure and potential charges of impiety. To avoid the fate of Socrates, he chose to leave Athens and retired to his mother's estate in Chalcis, located on the island of Euboea, where he remained until his death.

Aristotle conducted extensive biological and marine research on the island of Lesbos, specifically in the city of Mitylene. This period of his life was crucial for his empirical observations of natural phenomena, which later informed his philosophical classifications and his broader understanding of the natural world, distinguishing his approach from the purely abstract methods of his predecessors.

Aristotle categorized the soul into different levels based on the functions of living beings. The 'nutritive' soul is the most basic level, as it is common to all living things, including plants. It is responsible for the fundamental biological processes of growth, nutrition, and reproduction, which are essential for the survival of any organism.

In his work 'Politics,' Aristotle argued that some individuals are naturally suited to be masters while others are naturally suited to be slaves. He believed this hierarchy was a natural order necessary for the functioning of the household and the state. This view reflects the social norms of ancient Greece, where slavery was an accepted institution, and Aristotle sought to provide a philosophical justification for it based on his theory of natural inequality.

In classical political theory, an oligarchy is defined as a form of government where power effectively resides in the hands of a few individuals, typically distinguished by wealth, family ties, or military influence. Aristotle famously contrasted this with aristocracy, which he defined as rule by the best, and polity, which he viewed as a more stable, constitutional form of government.

Aristotle first articulated the concept of distributive justice in his 'Nicomachean Ethics'. He argued that justice involves giving each person their due, specifically regarding the distribution of honors, wealth, and other divisible assets of the community. According to Aristotle, these should be distributed based on merit or contribution to the state, establishing a framework that has influenced political philosophy for centuries.

In Ancient city-states, such as Athens, citizenship was a restricted status. It was generally reserved for freeborn males who were native to the city. Slaves, women, and resident aliens (metics) were systematically excluded from political participation, highlighting that citizenship was a privilege tied to social standing and birthright rather than a universal human right.

Aristotle, the renowned Greek philosopher and polymath, died in 322 B.C. in Chalcis, Euboea. His death occurred shortly after he fled Athens following the death of Alexander the Great, which had triggered a wave of anti-Macedonian sentiment in the city. His passing marked the end of an era in classical philosophy, leaving behind a vast body of work that would influence Western thought for millennia.