Hermias (Atarneus)

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Hermias ( Greek  Ἑρμίας ; † probably 341 BC ) was the tyrant of Atarneus and Assos in Asia Minor since about 350 BC. BC Hermias was a Bithynian eunuch and slave to whom his master (and friend), the money changer Eubulus, bequeathed the cities of Atarneus and Assos. Atarneus was an ancient city in the Aioli region of Asia Minor. The place is opposite the island of Lesbos northeast of today's Dikili . Atarneus had its greatest importance in the 4th century BC. When it served as the residence city of Hermias, who ruled the area between Atarneus and Assos from here.

The philosophically interested ruler had studied in his youth at the academy of the Greek philosopher Plato in Athens and became friends with his student Aristotle . Since that time there has been an ongoing relationship between Hermias and the Academy. The Sixth Letter of Plato, which is, however, considered by some scholars to be spurious, is directed to Hermia. Plato, who was almost eighty at the time, recommended Hermias in his letter to two people he knew and were friends with, Erastos and Koriskos, out of skepticism (a place near Atarneus) as loyal collaborators. From 347 to 345 BC BC Aristotle lived as a guest of Hermias in Atarneus and after his death married his niece (or daughter) Pythias . At the same time he founded his first philosophical school here.

Around 341 BC BC Hermias gave Philip II of Macedonia a secret base in Asia Minor. The Persian great king Artaxerxes III. thereupon sent his general Mentor from Rhodes to Atarneus, who succeeded in capturing Hermias with a ruse. He had Hermias transferred to the Persian capital Susa, where he was tortured (probably to learn something about the plans of the Macedonian ruler) and finally executed. Hermia's last words are said to have said that he had not done anything unworthy of philosophy.

After Hermias' death, Aristotle dedicated a statue to his father-in-law and friend in Delphi and composed a hymn to the Arete (excellence personified, virtue) in memory of Hermias.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Hermias
ALTERNATIVE NAMES wrongly Hermeias
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Tyrant of Atarneus and Assos, Asia Minor
DATE OF BIRTH 5th century BC BC or 4th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH around 341 BC Chr.