The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. III.

His Death; Brother, Wife, Son, Writings.

* 1.1 HE lived to a full age, above seventy yeares, or (following the accompt of Suidas for his birth) eighty.* 1.2 Lucian ex∣ceeds, who reckons him amongst those who lived 100. yeares; for he* 1.3 dyed when Aristomenes was Archon, in the third yeare of the 52. Olympiad, upon his Monument this Epitaph,

Weepe citizens as sacred Lesbos weeps For Pittacus; this Tombe his ashes keeps.

He had a brother who dying without issue, his estate de∣volved to Pittacus; whereupon refusing the wealth Croesus offerd him, he said, he had more by halfe then he desired.

He married a wife of birth higher then himself, sister to Draco son of Penthilus; she behaved her self imperiously towards him, whereof* 1.4 Plutarch gives this instance; Having invited some friends, she came in and overthrew the table; he seeing his guests troubled said,

Each of you hath some misfortune, he is happiest who hath no more then this. Laertius saith, the advice he gave concerning equall marri∣age (chap. 2.) was out of a resentment of his own troubles.

* 1.5 He had a son named Tyrrheus, who at Cuma sitting in a Barbers shop (as was used amongst the antients by such as loved to discourse of newes) was casually killed by a brasier with a blow of a hat∣chet; The Cumeans tooke the offendor and sent him to Pittacus, He being informed of the accident, set him at liberty saying, pardon is better then penitence.

Of his writings Laertius mentions

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, already cited, Elegies amounting to 600 verses. Of lawes in prose; directed to his own Countrymen.

Epistles of which this is preserved;

Pittacus to Croesus.

You command me to come to Lydia to behold your wealth; without sight whereof I can easily beleeve the son of Alyattes, to be the richest of Kings, and therefore need not in that re∣spect go to Sardis; for I want not gold, but have enough even for my friends also; yet I will come to you to enjoy your con∣versation as a Guest.

* 2.1 There was another Pittacus called the Lesser, a Lawgiver; mentioned by Phavorinus and Demetrius.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Laert.
• * 1.2

  Long••v.
• * 1.3

  Laert.
• * 1.4

  De anim. tranquil.
• * 1.5

  Laert.
• * 2.1

  Laert.