Bias of Priene: The Greek Philosopher Who Saved Women From Slavery

Bias of Priene was a 6th century BC ancient Greek philosopher hailed from Priene in Ionia, an ancient region encompassing the central part of the western coast of Anatolia. He was considered as one of the seven sages of Ancient Greece and achieved great fame and glory around 570 BC, during the reign of the Lydian kings Alyattes and Croesus.

Known for his compassion as much as his wisdom, Bias rescued enslaved women by paying their ransoms, educating them, and providing dowries before sending them back to their homeland in Messenia.

Bias was deeply devoted to his native land, and his judicial prowess became proverbial.

Greek philosopher Bias of Priene treated the women he freed as if they were his own daughters

Renowned for his justice and rhetorical skill, Bias was famous for his moral sayings and for an excerpt of a lyrical poem attributed to him, distributed among the Seven Sages by Satyrus the Wanderer.

According to Phanodicus, Bias saved several Messenian women captured in war from slavery. He raised them as his daughters, provided them with dowries, and eventually returned them to their fathers in Messenia.

Satyros recounts a story in which Athenian fishermen caught a bronze tripod inscribed with the words “To the wisest.” They sent it to Bias, believing him to be the wisest man of all.

Bias of Priene was famous for his selflessness, justice, moderation and frugality. His most defining traits were his rhetorical skill, sharp intellect and relentless pursuit of justice. In court, he tirelessly defended wronged citizens, advocating for their freedom. On rare occasions when he sentenced someone to death, he wept.

Bias died at the age of about 85 while standing in court. According to Diogenes Laertius, he passed away as all righteous men do – upright and virtuous to the very end.

Wisdom and teachings of Bias

He wrote the poem ”On Ionia, who among them could be most blessed with happiness” (Peri Ionias, tina malist’ an modoron eudaimonoii). It consisted of 2,000 verses, as well as many proverbs. The people of Priene honored Bias both during his lifetime and after his death by erecting a magnificent monument to him, the so-called “Teutameion Temenos” (named after his father, Teutamos, also referred to as Tetemides).

A notable story recounts that when Priene was conquered by the Persians and his fellow citizens fled as refugees, carrying their belongings, someone asked Bias why he was not taking anything with him. Bias replied, “I carry everything with me,” meaning that his wisdom and virtues were his true possessions, unlike material goods.

Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who held Bias in high esteem, is said to have remarked: “In Priene, Bias, son of Teutamos, was born, the most eloquent of all others,” implying that Bias was superior to the other six members of the circle of the Seven Sages of ancient Greece.

Sayings and philosophical views

When asked, “What is sweet to men?” the Greek philosopher replied, “Hope.” He also stated that he would prefer to resolve a dispute between two enemies rather than between two friends. In the latter case, he would be sure to make one of his friends his enemy. But in the former, he could make an enemy into a friend. When asked about the occupation that brings the most pleasure, he answered, “Making money.”

He advised people to approach life with the mindset that they could live both a short and a long time. Bias also believed people should love their friends as though they might one day hate them. He even advised to be cautious in starting new ventures, but once started, to remain steadfast in pursuing them. Furthermore, he also warned against hasty speech, describing it as a sign of madness.

Bias also offered several pieces of wisdom. Among them are: “cherish wisdom” and “acknowledge the existence of the gods.” He also said ”never praise a man solely for his wealth if he is unworthy.”

Bias advised that one should seek to persuade others rather than using force to get their way. He also claimed that we should attribute one’s good deeds to the gods.

Wisdom, he said, is the most reliable provision for the journey from youth to old age. That’s because it offers a more certain support than any material possession.

Hipponax mentions Bias while Heraclitus gives him special praise with the words: “In Priene lived Bias, son of Teutames, a man of greater distinction than any other.” The people of Priene honored him by dedicating a precinct to him, which they called the Teutameum. His famous saying was, “Most men are bad.”