Love Prudence: Bias of Priene, A Righteous Advocate

When we speak of man, we have a conception of humanity as a whole... Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable. These ties cannot be seen, but we can feel them. I cut myself in the finger, and it pains me: this finger is a part of me. I see a friend hurt, and it hurts me, too: my friend and I are one. And now I see stricken down an enemy, a lump of matter which, of all the lumps of matter in the universe, I care least for, and it still grieves me. Does this not prove that each of us is only part of a whole?"

~Nikola Tesla

In an era when one is quick to be labeled as “negative” or get cited for “attitude” this old man has not made it easy to write a piece on him. A man whose philosophy of life etched in stone is that all men, or most of them, are bad, wicked… Like his fellow sophist Chilon, there is very little to be found about his life in historical accounts. There is a sense of struggle in the unison of sameness in every source surfaced online and in the stacks (library). Most of it reads like a carefully crafted brand statement with no variation of some little anecdote that can provide an insightful peripheral glimpse of this man.

Hoi pleistoi anthropoi kakoi: "most people are evil" (Musei Vaticani)

The idea that mankind is inherently bad, wicked, can so fluff up a benevolent world view it has been a struggle to simply present what is written about Bias in historical accounts. Not so much as to prove Bias' maxim as wrong, but to manage the dissonance it created in how we evaluate one another. Determined and inventive, Deepdish reached across time (figuratively speaking, people, not literally) to seek audience with the man himself, Bias of Priene.

[It is a typical lovely day in the city of Priene.]

DeepDish: So help me here, Bias, sir. You are immortalized as one of the wisest men of the cradle of Western Civilization with the pithy maxim, “Most men are wicked.” Why such a harsh and pessimistic view of your contemporaries? ALL men are bad, or most of them are wicked? That sounds like an overgeneralization with a great amount of distrust? Can you explain or help us understand how you came to that touchstone belief?

Bias: Most people are evil. Naïve men are easily fooled. Cherish wisdom as a means of traveling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession.

DeepDish: I’m sorry, Sir. It probably sounded like a precommitment to say the statement was a harsh, pessimistic overgeneralization with a distrustful tone. I’m feeling now this is a cautionary word to not be overly trusting or take things for granted, simply at face value. Am I understanding your view more accurately now?

Bias: Love prudence.

DeepDish: Sir, can you elaborate any more on the statement?

Bias: Surely. Let me introduce you to my daughters. (Bias motions the servant in attendance to fetch whoever he just mentioned. The manservant spirits away to deliver the summons.)

DeepDish: Oh, there’s more than one? I have to reference to a  grandson by means of a daughter, but just that. How many children do you have? 

Bias: Yes, I have a daughter who has borne our family the joy of a handsome boy, my grandson. He is a blessing in my old age. The girls are my adopted daughters or charges if you will. I have raised them as my own family. It is an auspicious occasion, as you know, which brings them back to Priene to visit their old Papa. 

DeepDish: Oh, you’re talking about the ladies who petitioned so eloquently for your award of the fishermen’s discovery, The Brazen Tripod, inscribed “For The Wisest”. 

Bias: Yes, they are the ones. I am proud to see they have grown into the finest young women of their land. It gives me some esteem to know I may have a little to do with that. [Bias looked beamish].

DeepDish: A little! Sir, what I read…what you did for these girls, these women was…is magnanimous. How you persuaded…negotiated for their freedom was incredible. Who knows what might have happened to them if you had not done that? They probably would have been dead from all kinds of abuse or living on the edge of death being sold and resold on the trafficking circuits. By the Gods, they were most fortunate to have landed in your ports first. 

Bias: [seeming deep in thought] Yes, better to gain your point by persuasion, not by force. By Fortunata, their fathers' message arrived before the traffickers reached our land, and I was able to meet their ship at port the moment they arrived.

[Footsteps and chatter in the hallway signalled the party summoned as approaching. The noiseless, competent manservant ushered the young women and their fathers into the room. Taking their place on the divan or chairs close to Bias, they doted on the old man, seeming grateful and glad to be in his presence once again. The men, the girls’ fathers, appeared humbled and gracious.]

Bias: My daughters of the heart, and my dear friends, this traveller of time, DeepDish(?) is here to interview(?)…ah, have discourse with me about the occasion of being awarded the auspicious recognition of the ephoi. It is better to give your own account of how you came to be raised in my household. It might help her understand the nature of our times and why it wise to be prudent in your dealings with men. [The fathers dropped their gaze looking discomfitted, fidgeting in their seats.]

[When the girls, now young women gave their account they spoke as a group along with their fathers, each filling in details of a story that was all too common in the region (gnosis from Uppity Women of Ancient Times). The girls had been taken as prisoners of war. Their fathers sent message to Bias by emissary to reach Priene before the invading ships left port. Bias learning that the ships would dock for trade and resupply in Priene, met them at port the moment their ships sailed in. Fortunately, the traffickers knowing the girls would fetch the most lucre if they remained unblemished, they did not touch them but threatened and intimidated them when they cried and pleaded to be returned to their parents. 

With his legendary powers as an advocate, Bias with an escort of guards obtained from the courts on his just reputation, negotiated the girls to be left in his charge until the ransom was fully met. The pirates were reluctant but were mollified into acceptance with a significant advance payment which Bias offered to ratify the release agreement. The girls' fathers met their obligations as agreed with help from Bias from time to time until they had fully paid the debt and repaid Bias for his advances. When they offered to repay Bias for raising the girls and affording them an education, Bias declined, but instead sent the girls home with the amounts repaid as a trust to ensure they would marry well. 

Upon finishing their story, the women all tearful from their narrowly escaped ordeal, one father took Bias’ hand to his bosom and broke down weeping in full catharsis.]

Bias: [comforting his friend] It is most difficult to bear a change in fortune for the worse with magnanimity, my friend. Never speak too soon, for that shows folly.

DeepDish: [dabbing eyes, and blowing nose discreetly in the delicate embroidered linen kerchief proffered by this phantom of utmost hospitality, the manservant, sniffed.] This must not be the only case…

Bias: this happens more often than not in our times, and not just girls, women, wives, mothers, young boys, men. And it typically happens through predatory assignations, trickery, and sheer lack of regard for human life. Wickedness! Brutes! Barbarians! [The old man grew impassioned as he spoke. The intuitive manservant drew the girl’s father from Bias’ side and by imperceptible gesture signalled the girls and other fathers to accompany him out of the room.] 

DeepDish: [moving to Bias’ side and taking his hand. Wizened with old age, but healthy and strong from the Mediterranean diet, the old man grasped her hand firmly, a mixture of curiosity and kindness in his eyes. The manservant glided back into the room and offered goblets of spring water on a bronze tray.]

Should we finish tomorrow? This was very intense, as it must have been at the town meeting this week. 

Bias: No. I am well. You may proceed. 

DeepDish: Well, after this account and considering everything you have probably encountered in court I certainly can understand now how you might have some reserve with people in general. 

Bias: [gave a wordless nod.]

DeepDish: And by every account it seems you have certainly earned the privilege of the award. By the popular vote the people want you to have this honor, but I learned that you refused it. Why? Why not accept it as a token of the esteem of your fellows.

Bias: It is better to decide a difference between enemies than friends, for one of our friends will certainly become an enemy and one of our enemies a friend. Neither should we praise an undeserving man because of his riches.

DeepDish: Wait. Are you saying the vase is a bribe, something to curry favor to take or turn down a case?

Bias: Choose the course which you adopt with deliberation, and when you have adopted it, then persevere in it with firmness. I have chosen to advocate for those in the right, and those who have been wronged. I cannot compromise this stance or the appearance of independence for vanities. Let us reserve that for the Gods.

DeepDish: [LOL] Whoa…did you just say what I think I heard you say? 

Bias: [With a twinkle in his eyes, and a mischievous smile.] Speak of the Gods as they are.

DeepDish: By the Gods [LOL again] Bias, sir. As we might say in my time, you are something else. And you really did bestow the vase to the Temple. Was it to Apollo or Hercules?

Bias: [still with the mischievous twinkle] Does it matter? What matters is that some, by admiring other men’s virtues, become enemies of their own vices. 

DeepDish: I understand. That’s really slick. Gangsta, as we might say. Your gesture might inspire more humility and selflessness, and also less greed and corruption. That in itself is why you are deserving of the recognition sir. The thing is centuries later and we don’t seem to have gotten that. Maybe we didn’t because someone might have thrown you under the bus…chariot, [switching terms on seeing the old man’s quizzical look at the mention of bus] threw you under the chariot with that off-putting “All men are wicked” brand.

Bias: [nodded to show understanding, a faraway look in his eyes. He motioned the manservant who had been standing there like a motionless statue all the while.] Well, young lady, I hope that clears the understanding for you?

DeepDish: Yes. Yes, it does. Thank you so much for your time. You have been most gracious and as wise as your reputation in history. Rest well. I will remain through tomorrow's proceedings. I don’t want to influence your case, not that I could with you, but I hear it turns out well. [Winking wistfully, not wanting to give any hint that it would be his last trial.]

[The manservant ushered DeepDish out to the waiting chariot.

A great crowd had gathered to hear the case as Bias had gained quite a reputation for winning trials for seeming lost causes. The young women whom he had helped were in attendance with their father, as well as his daughter and grandson. The old man argued eloquently with deliberation and confidence. The proceedings were often interrupted by the populace in attendance and breaks to allow the hungry to purchase food from the attendants walking through the crowds, and bathroom breaks. It seems everything in ancient times could be turned into spectator sport. 

Bias advanced in age seemed more frail as the day wore on, resting in the arms of his grandson between arguments. The advocates for the plaintiff and defense finally rested, and Bias sat, leaning against his grandson, eyes closed. When the judge returned from deliberations, his grandson attempted to awakened him. Thinking he was in a deep sleep, Bias’ grandson motioned for the judge to proceed with the verdict. The judge announced his ruling in favor of Bias’ client. The crowd roared in thunderous cheers and jeers, depending on their favored sides. 

Bias’s grandson noticing the old man had not stirred amid the noise motioned for the everpresent manservant. A hush fell over the crowd, then a sea of murmur as the realization quickly swept the crowd. Bias had tried and won his last case. Weeping broke out in the crowd and word spread that Bias of Priene had died on that day.]

Bias was buried with great pomp in his city. On his shrine was inscribed—

“Beneath this stone lies Bias,

Who was born in the illustrious Prienian land,

The glory of the whole Ionian race.”

Back to present day, our intrepid time traveller sorted through reference notes and inferences from Bias’ interment, writing quotes on notecards, and adding stories to the first draft. One particular story drew a laugh thinking of the old man…”eat onions, indeed.” 

Do you know how Bias had so impressed the King of Persia, and what he meant when he responded to the King's request for audience with the dismissal, "Let him eat onions"?

Note: Direct quotes attributed to Bias are in italics, the rest are creative inferences. Bracketed italics present gnosis derived from cultural and historical sources for context.

Images: http://www.tholos254.gr/projects/priene/en/index.html

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_of_Priene
http://www.livius.org/be-bm/bias/bias_of_priene.html
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=D.%20L.%201.5&lang=original