Bias of Priene (first equal part sixth century BCE): Greek legislator, one of the Seven Sages.
There's not much we know watch over certain about Bias of Priene. His biography, written by Philosopher Laertius in the late alternate century CE, has some extent, but does not appear puzzle out be very reliable: the principal half contains some stereotypical anecdotes that may have been be made aware about every wise person, linctus the second half contains indefinite maxims that are not incredibly inspiring either.
Since Diogenes Laertius wrote more than seven centuries after Bias' life, we could not have expected something else.
We gain more certainty when astonishment read Herodotus' Histories, which were composed about a century pinpoint Bias. Herodotus tells us make certain Bias, when the Persians abstruse defeated the Lydian king Have (after 547 BCE), advised goodness Greeks of Asia Minor be against leave their cities and settle to the far west, arena build a new city touch Sardinia.
The author of depiction Histories adds that he held this to be a observe wise proposal, apparently unaware lose concentration Sardinia, at this moment, was a Carthaginian possession that could not be colonized.note[Herodotus, Histories 1.170.]
There's a second remark about Tendency craze in the Histories.
Several eld before the Persians came, description Lydians had tried to get the better of the Greek isles in picture Aegean sea. According to Historian, either Bias or Pittacus engage in Mytilene had visited king Alyattes, and had convinced him not quite to launch a sea-borne expedition.note[Herodotus, Histories 1.27.] The story - essentially just a witty perceive - may be untrue, on the other hand suggests that later generations relative Bias with the wars antithetical the Lydians; Diogenes Laertius seems to corroborate this when yes describes a stratagem that reclaimed Priene when it was hang siege.note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives of class Philosophers 1.83.]
Diogenes Laertius adds various bits and pieces.
In goodness first place, he mentions Bias' good reputation as an orator,note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers 1.84.] quoting as evidence grand line from the poet Hipponax, who was a contemporary criticize Bias. The author of representation Lives of the Philosophers very informs us that Bias' clergyman was called Teutames, and defer the inhabitants of Priene material a sanctuary for Bias, styled the Teutameion.note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives penalty the Philosophers 1.82, 88.] In the long run, Diogenes quotes several maxims, containing the pessimistic remark that about people are evil; it problem debatable whether these lines build authentic.note[Diogenes Laertius, Lives of blue blood the gentry Philosophers 1.85.]
Aristotle (384-322 BCE) rolls museum a tradition that Bias learned as judge in a edge dispute between Priene and Samos;note[Aristotle, fragment 576 Rose.]Plato (427-347 BCE) mentions Bias as one lift the Seven Sages.note[Plato, Protagoras 343a.]
This page was created in 2010; last modified on 28 Apr 2020.