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

ANACHARSIS.

CHAP. I.

Anacharsis his life and writings.

THose Nations (saith* 1.1 Herodotus) which border upon the Euxine Sea, are of all most illiterate, the Scythians onely excepted; we can alledge nothing relating to learning of any people within the compass of that Sea, neither know we any person learned but the Scythi∣ans Ana••harsis;* 1.2 Amongst these, notwithstan∣ding the roughnesse of their education, (for they fed upon mares milke and dwelt in wagons) were some who far exceed∣ed all in iustice.

Such was Anacharsis,* 1.3 son of Gnurus brother of Cadovides King of Scythia; his mother a Grecian, by which meanes he had the advantage of two languages, but was owner of no other house then the custome of that country allow'd, a Chariot, whence* 1.4 he compared his dwel∣ling to that of the sun, carri'd in that manner round the heavens.

* 1.5 The Scythians never travell beyond their own confines, but Anacharsis as a person endued with more then ordinary wise∣dome extended his journey further,* 1.6 being sent by the King of Scythia to Greece,* 1.7 He came to Athens in the first yeare of the 47. Olympiad, Eucrates being Archon: and* 1.8 first met with Toxaris one of his owne country, by whom, as the most compendious way to take a survey of Athens and Greece, he was addrest to Solon: how Solon received and entertained him is already related in his life: he instructed him in the best disciplines, recommended him to the favour of noblest persons, and sought all means of giving him respect and honour. Anacharsis admired his wis∣dome, continually followed him, in a short space learnt all things of him, and was kindly received by every one for his sake; being (as Theoxenus attests) the only stranger whom they incorporated into their City.

* 1.9 Thus was he much honoured by the Grecians for his per∣fection,* 1.10 wisdome, temperance, wherein he excelled many of their Philosophers,* 1.11 whereupon they conferred the attribute of wise upon him,* 1.12 some accompting him one of the seven: Peri∣ander invited him with the rest to Corinth; the feast is largely de∣scribed by Plutarch: There Anacharsis carrying with him Chaplets of Flowers, Ivy, and Laurell, drunk, as the Scythians use, to great

excesse,* 1.13 and required the prize of drinking to be given him, because he was first drunk: In a race (saith he) he wins, who comes first at the ••ost, in drinking, he who comes first to the end deserves the r••ward.

* 1.14 Having seen much of the world, and improved his knowledge, he re∣turned to Scythia (as Lucian conjectures, not untill Solon were dead) As he sailed along the Hellespont, he put in at Cyricum, and finding the people celebrating a festivall to the Mother of the Gods, with much splendor and muni••icence; he made a vow, if he got safe home, to sa∣crifice in the same manner as he had seen those of Cyricum, and to insti∣tute a Vigill. When he came into Scythia, he withdrew himselfe privately to Hylaea, near the Achillean course, a place abounding with 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ and performed the Rites of the Goddesse with a Timbrell (and Cymball * 1.15 about his Neck) A Scythian espying him, carried word to Sauli••s the King, who went immediately thither, and being an eye-witnesse thereof, shot him through with an Arrow (* 1.16 to punish his effeminacy, and prevent the infection thereof in others)* 1.17 And now if any en∣quire concerning Anacharsis, the Scythians deny they knew him, because he travelled into Greece, and affected the customes of that Country. As I am informed by Timnes, tutor of Spargapithes, he was uncle to Inda∣thyrsus, King of Scythia, son of Gnurus, son of Lycus, son of Spar∣gapithes: Now Anacharsis being of his family, it is manifest he was * 1.18 slain by his brother, (that his brother was King of Scythia, and slew him, is confirmed by Laertius, though he differ in the name) for Indathyrsus was son of Saulius, Saulius was he who slew Anachar∣sis,* 1.19 and consequently is the same whom Laertius calls Cadovides, adding,* 1.20 some report that he shot him in hunting; for being addicted to the Greek customes, and endeavouring to alter the lawes of Scythia; whereupon he dying,* 1.21 said, he returned safe out of Greece, guarded by his own wis∣dome, but was slain at home by the envy of others. Upon him Laertius hath this Epigram,* 1.22

From travell Anacharsis came at last, And Scythia in a Grecian mould would cast▪ Whilst he was teaching how, by the surprize Of a wing'd arrow carried to the skies.

* 1.23 There were many statues erected in honour of him by the Grecians, upon which was writ, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉* 1.24 He was temperate and skilfull in many things; he freely and largely dis∣coursed of the manner of diet & medicine, which the Scythians used in curing the sick.* 1.25 From the plain freedome he used in speech, arose a Proverb, The Scythian phrase. He writ eight hun∣dred verses of orders for the Scythians and Greeks, concerning frugall living, and martiall affairs. There are also two Epistles of his extant.

Anacharsis to Croesus.

KIng of the Lydians, I came into Greece to be informed of their manners and studies; I need not mony, it is enough if I can return into Scythia bettered: but •• will come to Sardys, because I highly esteem your favour.

* 3.1 Anacharsis to Hanno, health.

* 3.2 MY apparell is a Scythian rug, my shooes the hardnesse of my feet, my bed, the earth, my sauce hunger; I feed on milk, cheese, and flesh: you may come to me as to one that's contented: but those gif••s which you so much esteem, bestow either on your Citizens, or the immortall Gods.

* 3.3 He is said to have invented tinder,* 3.4 the anchor, and the Potters wheele; but this latter is by Strabo evinc'd cleerly to be false, because mentioned by Homer, who lived long before him, Anacharsis being in the time of Croesus.* 3.5

CHAP. II.

His Apophthegmes.

HIs apothegmes are these,* 3.6 He said a vine bare three grapes, the first of pleasure, the second of drunkennesse, the third of repen∣tance. He wondered, that amongst the Greeks, Artists contended, and they who were no Artists determined. Being demanded by what meanes a man might be brought not to love wine, he said, by s••tting before his eyes the unseemly actions of drunken persons. He wondered the Grecions who punished injuries by law, rewarded the Athletae a•• publick exercises for beating one another. Being told a ship is four inches thick, so far from death said he are they who sail. He said oile was a receipt procuring mad∣nesse, because the Athletae, the more they were annointed therewith, the more fierce they were against one another. How comes it, said he, that they who forbid lying, themselves lye openly, when they put off th••ir wares? He wondered that the Greeks in the beginning of a feast drunk in little cups, and when they were full in great.* 3.7 Being demanded (by Arda∣lus) whether there were any Flutes in Scythia, he answered, not so much as vines (which* 3.8 Aristotle calls a demonstration 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the re∣mote cause)* 3.9 Ardalus adding, are there not Gods amongst the Scythi∣ans? yes, replyed he, which understand all languages.* 3.10 Being asked what ship was safest, he answered, that which is in the Haven. He affirm'd the most remarkable thing he had seen among the Grecians to be this, that they left the smoak upon the mountains, and carried the wood into their Cities. Being demanded whether the number of the dead or of the living were grea••est, amongst which, saith he, do you account those who are at sea? To an Athenian, who reproached him for being a Scythian, my country,

(saith he) is a disgrace to me, but you are a disgrace to your country. Be∣ing demanded what in man is both good and bad, he answered the tongue. He affirm'd it is better to have one friend worth much, then many worth nothing. He said the Forum was the proper place for c••eating and unjust gain. To a young man who reproached him at a feast; youth, saith he, if at these yeeres you cannot bear wine, when you grow old, you will not be able to bear water.

* 3.11 When he returned to Scythia, he told the King who sent him, the Greeks were busied in all kinds of wisdome, except the Lacedaemonians, who only knew how to give and receive prudently.

* 3.12 He said the Greeks made no other use of mony but to accompt with it.

* 3.13 At a publick assembly in Athens, he said, he wondered, why in the Greek convocations, wise men propounded businesse, and fooles determined it.

* 3.14 That Prince is happy who is wise. That City is best, wherein (all things eise being equall) vertue hath the better condition, vice the worse.

* 3.15 To one who, as they were drinking, said, beholding his wife, Anacharsis, you have married one who is nothing handsome: I am (answered he) of that opinion also; but put less water in my wine, that I may make her hand∣some.

Relating the qualities of the Vine to the King of Scythia, and show∣ing him some slips thereof, he added, and by this time it would have reached into Scythia, if the Greeks did not every yeer cut off its branches.

* 3.16 At a feast, such being sent for, as might procure mirth, he alone smiled not; afterwards, an Ape being brought in; he laughed, saying, that beast is ridiculous by nature, man by art and study.* 3.17

Whilst he slept,* 3.18 he used 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, implying, that a man ought to take great care to govern both, but that it is harder to restrain our pleasure then our tongue.* 3.19 He said that to him all the Grecians were Scythians.* 3.20

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib. 4▪ 46▪
• * 1.2

  Strab. lib. 7.
• * 1.3

  Laert.
• * 1.4

  Plut. conviv. sept. sap.
• * 1.5

  Elian. var. hist. lib. 5.
• * 1.6

  Herod. 4. 46.
• * 1.7

  Laert.
• * 1.8

  Lucian. Scyth.
• * 1.9

  Strab. lib. 7.
• * 1.10

  Clem. Alex. Strom. 1.
• * 1.11

  Clem. Alex. Strom. 5.
• * 1.12

  Elian. lib. 2.
• * 1.13

  Athen. deipn. 10.
• * 1.14

  Herod. 4. 76.
• * 1.15

  Clem. Alex. admonit adgent.
• * 1.16

  Clem. Aleu. ibid.
• * 1.17

  Herodot. con∣tinues.
• * 1.18

  For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Spargapitbes. 1.
• * 1.19

  Lycus. 1.
• * 1.20

  Gnutus. 1.
• * 1.21

  Anacharsis. Saulius, or Caduida. 1.
• * 1.22

  Indathyrsus.
• * 1.23

  Laert. Plut. conviv. sept. sap.
• * 1.24

  Laert. Plut. con••••iv. sept•• sap.
• * 1.25

  Laert.
• * 3.1

  Cic. Tuscul. quaest. 5.
• * 3.2

  Clem▪ Alex. cites this frag∣m••nt, doubtlesse out of the same Epistle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉&c. Strom. 1.
• * 3.3

  Strab. lib. 7.
• * 3.4

  Laert. Suid.
• * 3.5

  Suidas.
• * 3.6

  Laert▪
• * 3.7

  Plut. conviv. sept. sap. Strab. 15.
• * 3.8

  Analyt. post. 1. 13.
• * 3.9

  Plut. conviv. sept. sap.
• * 3.10

  Laert.
• * 3.11

  Herod. 4. 46.
• * 3.12

  Plut. de pro∣fect. virtut. sent.
• * 3.13

  Plut. vit. Sol.
• * 3.14

  Plut. conv. sept. sap.
• * 3.15

  Stob. serm. 16.
• * 3.16

  Athen. deipn. lib. 10.
• * 3.17

  Athen. deipn. lib. 10.
• * 3.18

  Athen. deipn. lib. 14.
• * 3.19

  Clem. Alex. strom. lib. 5.
• * 3.20

  Clem. strom. 1.