Wisdom and knowledge have always been highly valued in almost all social systems.Moreover, it was considered a priority not just the possession of knowledge, and the ability of the right moment to put into practice.This is what is called wisdom.The cradle of European culture is considered to be Greece.In this regard, it is not surprising that the sages of ancient Greece is considered the first to shed the light of learning in the dark even if the nations of the Old World.It is ascribed to them systematize accumulated until mankind experience and its realization by the example of his own life.
Since ancient times people have tried to highlight the most outstanding representatives of humanity.More in antiquity were called the seven sages of ancient Greece, the person who on the proposal of the Greeks have the greatest amount of knowledge.This amount was not chosen by chance.The number "seven" has a sacred and religious significance.But if the number of geniuses remained unchanged, their names were changed depending on the time and place of the list.It has survived some of his options, which appear sages of ancient Greece.
List Plato
According to legend, the seven sages of ancient Greek names were named in Athens during the Archon Damas in 582 BC.e.The first and most famous list extant, was left in the IV century BC.e.great philosopher Plato in his dialogue "Protagoras".Who was included in this list, and the famous seven sages of ancient Greece?
Thales of Miletus (640 - 546 BC.)
Thales was one of the first ancient philosophers and the founder of the so-called Ionian school.He was born in the city of Miletus, located in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey, from which it got its nickname.In addition to philosophy, achieved special knowledge in astronomy and geometry by studying the heritage of the Egyptians and Mesopotamian scholars.To him it is attributed the division of the calendar year of 365 days.Unfortunately, all the thoughts and sayings of Thales of Miletus came to us only through the writings of later philosophers.
Solon of Athens (640 - 559 BC.)
Solon - the famous Athenian philosopher, poet and legislator.According to legend, he came from a royal lineage Kodridov, but despite this, his parents were people with low incomes.Then Solon was able to make a fortune, and then became the most influential political figure in Athens.It is considered the creator of the democratic laws that are virtually unchanged in this city lasted several centuries.By the end of his life voluntarily withdrew from power.It is also very highly valued by his contemporaries of Solon as a poet and thinker.On the question of the Lydian King Croesus, Solon know whether someone is better than he, the Athenian philosopher replied that this can only be judged after death.
Priensky Bias (590 - 530 years. BC)
Bias is probably the more enigmatic figure than the rest of the wise men of ancient Greece.About his life little is known.He was a judge in the city of Priene, which became famous for his wise decisions, and once even saved the hometown of the Lydian king Alliata.But when his home conquered the Persian ruler Cyrus Bias had to leave the village, with nothing is not taking.
Pittacus Mitilensky (651 - 569 BC.)
Pittacus was a famous sage, general and governor of Asia Minor city of Mytilene.Earned fame tiranobortsa freeing hometown from tyranny Melanhra.Also it is known as an outstanding legislator.His dictum that inevitably do not argue, even the gods are very highly valued, as well as other sayings of sages of ancient Greece.Voluntarily resigned from power.
All these thinkers and philosophers included in the list of seven sages of ancient Greece is absolutely in all editions.Those of whom will talk below, were included in the Platonic version of the list of the greatest men of Greece and some other compilers.Still, they are found not in all the lists that are made in the seven sages of ancient Greece.
Cleobulus of Linda (540 - 460 BC)
Cleobulus according to one version came from Linda that Rhodes, and in the second - of Caria in Asia Minor.His father was Evagor, who was considered a descendant of Heracles.He earned fame as a wise ruler and urban planner, erected a temple built in Linde and water.In addition, Cleobulus famous as a songwriter and clever puzzles.His daughter Kleobulina also once considered one of the most enlightened philosophers.
Meason of Hen (VI century BC.)
Meason, despite the fact that his father was governor in Henah or Itii, chose for himself a quiet and contemplative life of the philosopher, far from the madding crowd.Most famous as the author of the great sayings, some of which were worthy to be among the seven sayings of the sages of ancient Greece.Some experts believe that it was included in the list of Plato the wisest people on political grounds.
Chilo of Sparta (VI century BC.)
Chilo - the famous Spartan poet and legislator.He also served as Ephorus.At his post he helped introduce many progressive laws, which were later attributed to Lycurgus.This Chilo, according to contemporaries, was full of deep meaning, but differed brevity, a feature of most of the Spartans.It is attributed to him saying that the dead people do not talk bad.
List Diogenes Laertius
addition to the list of Plato's best known list, which includes the seven sages of ancient Greece, a prominent historian of philosophy Diogenes Laertius, who lived probably in the beginning of the end of the II-III century.BCThe only difference of this list from the previous one in that instead of Missoni it includes the Corinthian tyrant Periander.Some scientists believe this is the original list, despite the fact that Diogenes lived much later Plato.This paradox is explained by the fact that the latter because of its rejection of tyranny might be excluded from the list of Periander and include lesser-known Missoni.Diogenes in his work is used more ancient source.
names of all the other wise men in both lists are the same.
Periander of Corinth (667 - 585 BC.)
Periander, the ruler of Corinth, probably - the most controversial figure of the seven sages of ancient Greece.On the one hand, he was distinguished by amazing mind, he was a great inventor and builder, upgraded portage across the isthmus separating the Peloponnesian peninsula from the mainland, and then began to build a channel through it.In addition, Periander patronized art, and significantly strengthened the army, which allowed Corinth rise as never before.On the other hand, historians describe him as a cruel tyrant typical, especially in the second half of the board.
According to legend, Periander died from what could not bear the death of his son, which he condemned it.
Other lists
The lists of other authors remain unchanged only the names of Thales, Solon, Bias and Pittacus.Personality of other sages vary, and differ significantly from the two classic releases.
Akusilay (VI century BC.) - Hellenic historian Herodotus who lived before.By origin Dorian.Tradition ascribes to him the first historical work written in prose.
Anaxagoras (500 - 428 years. BC. E.) - The famous philosopher and mathematician from Asia Minor.Also he practiced astronomy.He tried to explain the structure of the universe.
Anaharsis (605 - 545 BC.) - Scythian sage.He was personally acquainted with Solon and Lydian king Croesus.He is credited with inventing the anchor, sails, and the potter's wheel.In addition, Anaharsis known for its valuable sayings.He was killed by the Scythians for that adopted Hellenic customs.The reality of its existence is put into question by many scientists.
Pythagoras (570 - 490 BC.) - Known Greek philosopher and updates.To him it is attributed the famous theorem on the equality of the angles in a right triangle.In addition, the founder of the philosophical school, and later adopted the name Pythagoreanism.He died of old age in his own death.
In addition, among those recorded in the sages of ancient Greece, it is possible to name Forekida, Aristodemus, Lina, Ephorus, Lhasa, Epimenides, Leofanta, Pamphili, Epicharmus, Pisistratus and Orpheus.
principles listing
can be concluded that the list of the wisest men Greeks included representatives of different sorts of activities, but most of these were philosophers.Though, actually, the subject that they can combine with another important activity - the study of mathematics, astronomy, natural sciences, management of the state.However, almost all the science of the time have been inextricably linked with philosophy.
These lists may vary considerably and may differ from the two so-called classical versions.In many ways, the specific names included in them, depend on the place of residence and political affiliation of the originator.For Plato, apparently, it is for these reasons excluded from the great sages of the Corinthian tyrant Periander.
not always in the lists of the great thinkers attended some Greeks.There are sometimes included representatives of other nations, such as the Hellenized Scythian Anacharsis.
importance of the topic today
course, an attempt to isolate the Greeks from among the most prominent representatives and organize them is one of the first of its kind in the ancient world.By studying this list, we can tell what personal qualities considered most important in the ancient world and is associated with wisdom.It is important to familiarize yourself with these ideas of the Greeks, to be able to look through the eyes of modern man on the evolution of this concept for centuries.
in Russia to study this aspect in a school course allocated a separate topic - "The sages of ancient Greece."Class 5 is the best period of training for the perception of such fundamental issues.
