ANACHARSIS, a Scythian philosopher,who flourish ed about 600 years before the Christian aera. His father, who was a man of note in his nation, had married a Gre cian lady, by whom her son was instructed in the Greek language, and inspired with a taste for the literature of her country. Arrived at the years of maturity, he was entrusted by his fellow citizens with the conduct of an embassy to Athens; upon which occasion, he acquired the friendship of the celebrated Solon, and made such progress in philosophy, that he has himself been reckon ed by some, among the seven Grecian sages. It is re ported, that when he first came to the door of Solon, he requested a servant to inform his master, that Anachar sis, a Scythian, was at the door, and was desirous of be ing received as his guest and friend. Solon is said to have returned for answer, that "friendships are best formed at home." To this the Scythian philosopher replied, "Then let Solon, who is at home, make me his friend, and receive me into his house." Solon, struck with the propriety of the reply, immediately gave ad mittance to his visitor, and, finding him worthy of his confidence, honoured him with his friendship. Through the influence of this celebrated character, Anacharsis was introduced to persons of the first note in Athens; and was the first stranger who was honoured with the rights of citizenship by the Athenians.
Having resided several years in Athens, and oat% died into foreign countries in quest ol knowledge, he at length returned to his native land, full of the desire of impart ing his acquisition to his unlettered countrymen. But the attempt to introduce the laws and religion ol Greece, cost him his life, by the hand, it is said, of his own bro the•, then raised to the throne of Scythia ; and who slew Anacharsis with an arrow, as he was pt 6)1.1)1111g a sacri fice to Cybele.
To Anacharsis is ascribed the comparison of laws to cobwebs, which can entangle only small flies, while the larger ones break through them. It was also a saying of his, that the vine bears three sorts of fruit ; the first, pleasure ; the second, intoxication ; the third, remorse. An ape, said he, is ridiculous by nature, a man by art and study. An Athenian of had morals having reproach ed hint with being a Scythian, he replied, " My country may be a disgrace to me, but you are a disgrace to your country." He is absurdly said by some, to have lived in a cart instead of a house ; and to have invented the potter's wheel, which was undoubtedly known in the days of Homer. The epistles which bear his name, are generally supposed to be spurious.—See Herod. I. iv. Plitt. in COnViV. Cic. TUSC. I. v. e. 32. (in)