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

CHAP. VI.

Of his Children.

* 1.1 HEe had by Melissa two sons Cypsalus and Lycophron the younger ingenious, the elder a foole; he had likewise a daughter; his elder sonne at the time of his mothers death was eighteen yeares old, the younger seventeen. These their Grand∣father by the mothers side Procleus (Tyrant of Epidaurus) sent for over to him, and loved them much as in reason he ought, being the children of his owne daughter; when he was to send

them back, he said to them, doe you know children who slew your mother? the elder tooke no heede to that speech, but Ly∣cophron the younger was so troubled at it, that when he came to Corinth, he neither spoke to his father, nor would make him any answer, looking upon him as the murderer of his mother, where ••at Periander at length became so incensed, that he turned him out of doores. He being gone, Periander questioned the Elder what discourse his Grandfather had with him; hee related to him how kindly he used him, but told nothing of that which Procleus had said to t••em at their departure, for he had not taken any notice of it ▪ Periander said, it was not possible but that hee should say something more, and pressed him more strictly; at last he calling it to mind, told him this also, which Periander re∣senting, and not willing to use his son more mildly, sent to the people with whom he lived in his ejection, forbidding them to receive him into any of their houses. Turned out of that wher∣in he was, he sought to goe into another, but was denied; Peri∣ander having threatned those that should entertaine him, and commanded all to drive him away: expelled thence, he went to another of his acquaintance, who knowing him the sonne of Periander entertained him though with feare: at length Perian∣der proclaimed that whosoever received him into their house, or spoke to him, should pay what fine to Apollo, he should im∣pose: from that time none durst venture to entertaine him or speake to him; nor would he himselfe make tryall of a thing which he knew to be desperate, but passed his time in the com∣mon walkes: Foure dayes after, Periander seeing him poore and extenuated with fasting, tooke compassion of him, and lay∣ing aside his anger, drew nigh to him and said,

Son which is bet∣ter, to undergoe what you now suffer, or by obeying your father to enjoy my wealth and kingdome? you being my son and next heire to the Kingdome of fruitful Corinth, have made choice of the life of a Vagabond, angerly opposing him whom you ought not to oppose; if any unhappinesse befell in those things whereof you suspect me, it befell me, and I have so much the greater share therein, in being the instrument thereof; heare how much better it is to be envied then to bee pittied, and what it is to be angry with our parents or betters.

In these words Periander reproved his son, who made him no other answer then

That he ought to pay a fine to the God for speaking to him.

Periander perceiving the evill of his sonne to be incurable, removed him out of his fight, and sending him by ship to Corcyra, of which he was also Tyrant: having thus disposed of him, he made war with his father in Law Procleus as the chiefe cause of all that happened. Laertius mentions an Epistle which he sent him to this effect.

Periander to Procleus.

Wee committed unwillingly that crime upon your Daughter, but you if willingly, you alienate my Sons minde from me, you doe unjustly▪ there∣fore either so••ten his minde towards me, or I shall revenge this injury; I have satisfied your daughter by burning in her honour the garments of all the women of Corinth.

* 2.1 In fine he tooke Epidaurus and Proclus therein, whom he pre∣served alive.

* 2.2 In processe of time Periander growi••g old, and knowing himselfe to bee no longer fit for the charge of the common∣wealth, sent to Corcyra to invite Lycophron to the government of the Kingdome; conceiving his eldest son uncapeable of that of∣fice by reason of his stupidity. Lycophron would not vouchsafe so much as to speake to the messenger. Periander (affectionate to him) sent the second time his sons sister, his owne daughter, hoping he would be sooner perswaded by her; shee comming said to him,

Brother, had you rather the Kingdome should fall into the hands of others, and our fathers house be disper∣sed then goe home and have it your selfe? returne to your owne house, injure your selfe no longer; obstinacy is an un∣happy inheritance: oure not one evill with another; many prefer compliance before justice, many in pursuit of their mo∣thers right lose their fathers Kingdome: a Kingdome is a slippery thing, coveted by many, our father is old and feeble, give not your owne goods to others:

thus she pleaded to him as her father had instructed her; he answered he would n••ver come to Corinth whilst his father lived there▪ which as soone as Periander understood, he sent a messenger the third time, to let him know, hee would remove to Corcyra, and to command him to come to Corinth to take the government upon him; to thi•• the sonne assented. Periander prepared for Corcyra, his sonne for Corinth: the people of Corcyra informed hereof, that Periander might not come into their country, kill'd his son▪ in revenge of which fact Periander sent three hundred boyes of the chiefe of the Corcyraeans to Sardis to Allyates King of Lydia there to be guelt, the Corinthians who had charge of them, were driven upon Sa∣mos, the Samians understanding to what end they were sent to Sardis, advised them to take Sanctuary in the Temple of Diana, and would not suffer them as being suppliants to bee pulled away: The Corinthians not permitting any food to be given them, the Samians celebrated a festivall, which is observed (saith He∣rodotus) at this day; when night was come, the company of youths and maides danced whilst the children were pr••••ing▪ and in their dance having made cakes of meale and honey, flung them amongst the children, whereby they were sustained alive, this they did so long till the Samians who had charge of the

children, were faine to goe away and leave them; then the Sa∣mians conveyed the children home to Corcyra.* 2.3 Antenor and Dio∣nysius affirme the Gnidians came to Samos with a fleet, drove away Perianders Guard from the Temple, and carried the children to Corcyra; for which reason the Corcyraeans allowed the Gnidians many honours and immunities, which they gave not (even) to the Samians.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Herod. lib. 3. 49.
• * 2.1

  Herod. ibid.
• * 2.2

  Herod. ibid.
• * 2.3

  Plutarch. de malign. Herodot.