Bias
Could not find Biantis in Logeion dictionaries.
Biantis Proper-name noun: masculine genitive singular of Bias
- a Greek philosopher of Priene, one of the seven wise men of Greece, Cic. Lael. 16, 59; id. Par. 1, 1, 8; Col. 1, 1, 9; Val. Max. 7, 2, ext. 3.
(Βίας), son of Amythaon, and brother of the seer Melampus. He married Pero, daughter of Neleus, whom her father had refused to give to any one unless he brought him the oxen of Iphiclus. These Melampus obtained by his courage and skill, and so won the princess for his brother. (Schol. ad Theocrit. Idyll. 3.43; Schol. ad Apoll. Rhod. 1.118; Paus. 4.36; comp. Hom. Odyss. 11.286, &c., 15.231.) Through his brother also Bias is said to have gained a third of the kingdom of Argos, Melampus having insisted upon it in his behalf, as part of the condition on which alone he would cure the daughters of Proetus and the other Argive women of their madness. According to Pausanias, the Biantidae continued to rule in Argos for four generations. Apollonius Rhodius mentions three sons of Bias among the Argonauts, --Talaus, Areius, and Leodocus. (Hdt. 9.34; Pind. N. 9.30; Schol. ad loc.; Diod. 4.68; Paus. 2.6, 18; Apollon. 1.118.) According to the received reading in Diod. 4.68, "Bias" was also the name of a son of Melampus by Iphianeira, daughter of Megapenthes; but it has been proposed to read " Abas," in accordance with Paus. 1.43; Apollon. 1.142; Apollod. 1.9. [E.E]
(Βίας), of Priene in Ionia, is always reckoned among the Seven Sages, and is mentioned by Dicaearchus (apud Diog. Laert. 1.41) as one of the Four to whom alone that title was universally given--the remaining three being Thales, Pittacus, and Solon. We do not know the exact period at which Bias lived, but it appears from the reference made to him by the poet Hipponax, who flourished about the middle of the sixth century B. C. that he had by that time become distinguished for his skill as an advocate, and for his use of it in defence of the right. (D. L. 1.84, 88; Strab. xiv. p.636.) Diogenes Laertius informs us, that he died at a very advanced age, immediately after pleading successfully the cause of a friend: by the time the votes of the judges had been taken, he was found to have expired. Like the rest of the Seven Sages, with the exception of Thales, the fame of Bias was derived, not from philosophy, as the word is usually understood, but from a certain practical wisdom, moral and political, the fruit of experience. Many of his sayings and doings are recorded by Diogenes Laertius, in his rambling uncritical way, and by others. In particular, he suffers in character as the reputed author of the selfish maxim Φιλεῖν Ὡς μισήσοντας ; and there is a certain ungallant dilemma on the subject of marriage, which we find fathered upon him in Aulus Gellius. (Hdt. 1.27, 170 ; Aristot. Rh. 2.13.4; Cic. de Amic. 16, Parad. i.; Diod. Exc. p. 552, ed. Wess; Gel. 5.11; D. L. 1.82-88; comp. Hdt. 1.20-22; Plut. Sol. 4.) [E.E]
BIAS (Βίας), a small river of Messenia, falling into the sea between the Pamisus and Corone. (Paus. 4.34.4.)
(Βίας). (1) The son of Amythaon and Idomené, was king of Argos, and brother to the famous soothsayer Melampus (q.v.).
(2) One of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. He was son of Teutamus, and was born at Priené, in Ionia, about B.C. 570. Bias was a practical philosopher, studied the laws of his country, and employed his knowledge in the service of his friends, defending them in the courts of justice, settling their disputes. He made a noble use of his wealth. His advice, that the Ionians should fly before the victorious Cyrus to Sardinia, was not followed, and the victory of the army of Cyrus confirmed the correctness of his opinion. The inhabitants of Priené, when besieged by Mazares, resolved to abandon the city with their property. On this occasion Bias replied to one of his fellow-citizens, who expressed astonishment that he made no preparations for his departure, “I carry everything with me.” He remained in his native country, where he died at a very advanced age. His countrymen buried him with splendour, and honoured his memory. Some of his apophthegms are still preserved.
- Paus. 10.24.1
- his advice to Croesus: Hdt. 1.27
- to the Ionians: Hdt. 1.170
- Hdt. 9.34
- Paus. 4.34.4, Apollod. 1.9.11
- woos Pero: Apollod. 1.9.11
- brother of Melampus: Paus. 2.18.4, Paus. 4.36.3
- asks Melampus to steal the kine of Phylacus: Apollod. 1.9.12
- settles with Melampus in Argos: Apollod. 1.9.13
- B. and Melampus share kingdom of Argos with King Anaxagoras: Paus. 2.18.4
- receives a third part of the kingdom (of Argos): Apollod. 2.2.2
- father of Anaxibia: Apollod. 1.9.9
- father of Talaus: Paus. 2.6.6, Paus. 2.21.2, Apollod. 1.9.13
- king of Megara: Apollod. 3.15.5
- slain by him: Apollod. 3.15.5
- Paus. 4.34.4
- Apollod. 3.12.5
- Apollod. E.7.25