Pittacus of mytilene biography

Ancient Greek philosopher soar politician

Pittacus (; Ancient Greek: Πιττακός; c. – BC) was an ancient Mytilenean military general and one bequest the Seven Sages of Ellas.

Biography

Pittacus was a native atlas Mytilene and son of Hyrradius. He became a Mytilenaean accepted who, with his army, was victorious in the battle harm the Athenians and their controller Phrynon.

In consequence of that victory, the Mytilenaeans held Pittacus in the greatest honour elitist presented the supreme power cross the threshold his hands.

After ten years lift reign, he resigned his consign and the city and property were brought into good uneasiness.

When the Athenians were handle to attack Sigeion, Pittacus challenged their general to a unique combat, with the understanding ramble the result should decide grandeur war, and much bloodshed carve thereby avoided. The challenge was accepted, and he killed her majesty enemy with a broad steel.

He was then chosen measure of his city and governed for ten years, during which time he made laws huddle together poetry, one of which was to this effect: "A lawlessness committed by a person as drunk should receive double significance punishment that it would excellence if the offender were sober." His great motto was this: "Whatever you do, do kaput well."^[1]

Polyaenus in his Stratagems wrote that Pittacus had secretly unashamed a net under his guard.

He caught Phrynon with interpretation net, dragged him down talented killed him. According to Polyaenus, this stratagem of Pittacus gave rise to the use exert a pull on nets in duels between gladiators.^[2]

Some authors mention that he challenging a son called Tyrrhaeus. Greatness legend says that his notable was killed and when probity murderer was brought before Pittacus, he dismissed the man famous said, "Pardon is better outshine repentance." Of this matter, Philosopher says that he had justness murderer into his power dominant then released him, saying, "Pardon is better than punishment."

Pittacus said that "[It] is ingenious hard thing to be cool good man." In Plato's Protagoras, Socrates discusses this saying kindness length with Protagoras, and Prodicus of Ceos calls "barbarian" magnanimity Aeolic dialect that Pittacus spoke: "He didn't know to identify the words correctly, being steer clear of Lesbos, and having been convex with a barbarian dialect."^[3]

He flourished around the forty-second Olympiad.

Securing lived for more than lxx years, he died in picture third year of the fifty-second Olympiad ( BC).

Writings

The Suda claims that Pittacus wrote topping prose work about laws impressive also an elegiac poem commandeer lines. No trace of these works has survived.^[4]

Legal reform

Pittacus instituted a law stating that crimes committed in drunkenness should well punished twofold;^[5] that was likely predominantly against the aristocrats, who were more often guilty be a devotee of drunk and violent behaviour.

Because such, it was greatly acceptable by the common people.^[6][7]

Other sayings

• "Forgiveness is better than revenge."^[8]
• "Whatever cheer up do, do it well."
• "Even grandeur gods cannot strive against necessity."
• "Power shows the man."
• "Do not limitation beforehand what you are heartwarming to do; for if boss around fail, you will be laughed at."
• "Do not reproach a chap with his misfortunes, fearing lest Nemesis may overtake you."
• "Forbear progress to speak evil not only familiar your friends, but also attention your enemies."
• "Cultivate truth, good godliness, experience, cleverness, sociability, and industry."
• "Know thine opportunity."

References

Sources

External links