PIT'TA0US, one of the "seven wise men" of ancient Greece, was b. at Mitylene, in the island of Lesbos, about the middle of the 7th c. B.C. The incidents of his life do not perhaps rest on a very secure historical basis, but he is by no means to be regarded as a merely traditionary personage. We may feel quite certain that his career and char acter were substantially what later history represents them. About 612 B. C., in conjunc tion with the brothers of Alexus the poet, he overthrew the " tyrant" Melanchrus, and put him to death. He next figures in the contest between the Lesbians and the Athe nians for the possession of Sigeum in the Troad, and displayed as much valor on the battle field as Alemus did cowardice. His townsmen, the Mitylemeans, were so pleased with his deeds of prowess that they gave him a portion of the city territory, which he dedicated to sacred uses, and which was known long after as the "Pittaceian land." Meanwhile the civic struggles did not cease; the democratic party, however, roughly represented by a series of popular " tyrants," were in the ascendant, and the oligarchic aristocrats, at the head of whom was Alczeus, were finally banished. Pittacus was sub
sequently chosen dictator, 589 B.C., to prevent the turbulent exiles from returning to Mitylene, and ruled absolutely with great success for ten years, after which he volunta rily resigned his power, and withdrew into honored retirement. He died in 569 B.C. Many of the anecdotes preserved by tradition concerning Pittacus are probably apocry phal; but they all attribute to him the same characteristics—great moral sagacity, a con tempt of outward pomp, and a plain practical understanding. His favorite maxim, GAothi kairbn ("Know the fitting moment"), may be recommended to all statesmen and politicians. To Pittacus is also ascribed the saying which has so often been verified in, actual history, Clatlerhn estIdbn emmertai (" It is a misfortune to be eminent"). Of his 600 didactic verses, only four are extant, and these prove that he was strongly impressed with the falsehood and insincerity of men. See Schneidewin's Delectus Poesis Gracorum Etegiacee, etc. (Gott. 1839).