PITTACUS

One of the "Seven Sages" of Ancient Greece. He was born in Mytelene, Lesvos. With the help of the poet Alkaios, he freed his homeland from the Tyranny of Meleagros, and was elected eisymnetis to support the new regime. He was distinguished for his moderation, his clear and just legislation and his prudent administration. When the Athenians attacked the Mytileneans with war, Pittacus also excelled as a general, defeating and killing the Athenian general Phrynon. About 580 he voluntarily left the office, and spent the last years of his life in peace, with letters as his main occupation. He died in old age. His favorite saying was "time knows". Of his writings, which were all destroyed, together with the Treatise on the Laws, only a short poem and a letter to Croesus survived.