Pittacus of Mytilene

Pittacus, Greek Πιττακὸς ὁ Μυτιληναῖος or Πιττακὸς ὁ Λέσβιος (* 651/650 BC, † 570 BC) was appointed in Mytilene on Lesbos in the struggle between the aristocracy and the people on the one hand and various noble factions on the other hand to Aisymneten.

He issued the first written laws. Some nobles, presumably Sappho and Alcaeus, had to rely on his command of Lesbos. After the end of the conflict he laid voluntarily resigned his office with the remark that it was too hard to be virtuous in the long run. He was considered one of the seven sages and was mentioned by Diogenes Laertius in his well-known work on the philosopher.

He is said to have performed as a military leader, the Mytilener in the fight against the Athenians. With their leader Phrynon ( Olympic champion in pankration ), he agreed to fight out the battle only among the leaders. In close combat, he threw a net over Phrynon and defeated / killed him; thus obtained without further bloodshed, the fight against Athens.

The question of whether he was an exponent of an aristocratic society, or at least a antiaristokratischer reformer, is controversial in research.

Quotes

Demetrius of Phalerum attributes to him the following utterances. Pittacus, son of Hyrras, from Lesbos spoke ( Πιττακὸς Υρραδίου Λέσβιος ἔφη ):