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

Born on the day: Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

"We view things not only from different sides

but from different eyes (perceptions)..."

The Scientific Method of Inquiry to which Blaise Pascal contributed with his treatise on The Art Of Persuasion was developed by thinkers who demonstrated multidisciplinary interests and aptitudes. Certainly, Blaise Pascal argued for the role of intuition and "submission to God" as critical for perceiving scientific principle. For Pascal, the axiomatic method precedes the development of theory, and his theological view advocated pragmatism and reality testing.

"Faith certainly tells us what the senses do not, but not the contrary of what they (perceive); it is above, not against them."

Solon of Athens c 640 – c 558 BC: Irreverent Savoir-Faire?

The past week has been nothing short of extraordinary in the sense of witnessing a convergence of past and present. From Rodney King’s trite plea, “Can’t we all get along?” in the 90s, to the presently “vilsacked” (vilified and sacked, credit Lawrence O'Donnell for that pithy observation) Shirley Sherrod’s, “Let’s work together.” From the savings & loan bailout in the 90’s, to President Obama’s signing of the financial reform bill this week, and the almost unnoticed disburdening of Haiti’s staggering national debt by the IMF. If anyone has wondered as to the efficacy of our current visitation with sages past, just read these highlights from the life and contributions of Solon of Athens.

 A Call of Destiny

Accounts of the life of Solon of Athens appear scant and anecdotal. What little is known is that Solon was born into nobility in Athens circa 640 B.C. to parents Excecestides and his mother a cousin of Pisistratus’ mother. His early career was in import/export trade; however, it was his expression of patriotic philosophy through poetry that catapulted him onto the stage at a critical moment in Athenian history. He was a contemporary of Thales, but no match for the shrewd nerd as he, being one of those who chided Thales’ reclusive lifestyle, found himself at the end of a poignant lesson. Solon devoted his life to morality and politics.

Geo-politics: Hill, Plain, or Shore
The necessity of Solon’s career as Chief Magistrate (Legislator) was due to the financial and social crisis among Athens’ three constituent factions: hill, plain, and shore. The three factions were comprised of those who favored a democratic government of the people (Hill), those who favored small government (Plain), and those independent folks who kept the aforementioned factions in check, favoring a hybrid ruling body (Shore.)

The crux of dissension among the three factions was in the inequitable laws that favored the rich and resulted in death sentences for the poor, and a damning problem of loans backed by a contractual obligation to slavery. These “mortgages on bodies” cleverly structured by the aristocracy to increase their own wealth were sharecropping arrangements that often resulted in the poor being dispossessed and sold in trade.

In his “The Constitutional Order by Solon of Athens,” Solon defined the axis of civil discord as unchecked greed, unmitigated cruelty, and flagrant injustice. He advocated principles before expediency. Civic harmony, he envisioned as adherence to social justice and impeccable ethics.

Solon having the privilege of noble birth to win the respect of the wealthy, and a reputation of frank, fair-dealing businessman among the common people, was chosen for his ideas of social responsibility and jurisprudence. He was given unparallel power to legislate and reform the policies of Athenian government as he saw fit.

Road to Democracy

Solon’s idea to restructure the three factions into four classes based on wealth rather than birth and to grant access to the administrative assembly to all the classes introduced a new definition of citizenship. He advocated a democratic view that the responsibility of achieving the good of the city-state resided with all Athenians. However, the great priority of his appointment to govern was to adjudicate the issue of debt between the classes which he did by immediately dismissing all outstanding debts and outlawing the practice of "mortgages on bodies." The disburdening ordinance was not completely satisfactory to either parties but was accepted as a reasonable settlement.

Solon was revered as an advocate of the poor if not in politics as in justice. His constitution introduced the dual consultative and administrative governing bodies; the trial by jury; assignment of military obligations. He adopted what may have been Thales’ 365 day calendar given their association, regulated weights and measures, and taxation according to class.

Solon’s moral reformations were far-reaching including family and child protection laws.

Irreverent Savoir-Faire?
A drama of Solon’s voluntary exile is given in some accounts of his life, but did not seem borne out in the various sources. Solon remained in his appointment as Chief Magistrate long enough to explain and enforce the rules and reformations he enacted. Having sufficiently established the new constitution of Athenian life and culture, Solon apparently took to traveling and learning abroad for a period of 10 years because he believed that it was ultimately up to the people of Athens to make the constitution work.

To the people I have given such honor as is sufficient,
neither taking away nor granting them more.

For those who had power and were great in riches,
I greatly cared that they should suffer nothing wrong.
Thus I stood, holding my strong shield over both,
and I did not allow either side to prevail against justice.

I did those things with my power,
bringing into harmony force and justice,

and I finished them as I promised;

and I made the laws equal for the poor man and the powerful

fitting impartial justice on each.

Some conjectured that Solon’s departure was due to disagreement with the usurping tyrant Pisistratus, but that, again, does not bear scrutiny. For one thing, Pisistratus was among Solon’s maternal genealogy. It is also said that they were fond of each other, and that Pisistratus respected Solon’s wisdom and upheld his legislation, even though Solon did not agree with Pisistratus’ “ambitions.” Further, Pisistratus made his coup for power during Solon’s travels, and it was not until Solon’s return to Athens that he began to decry Pisistratus’ regime.

Account of Solon’s irreverent frankness is singularly highlighted in his cautionary counsel of Croesus vain-gloriousness. Of the encounter, Solon reflects, “one must never approach (great kings) unless one gives them always the best possible counsel and tells them only the truth.”

Formula For The Fortunate
Solon died in the year of the 55th Olympiad. For his accomplishments he is revered as one of the Sophoi, and his words are immortalized among those at the Oracle at Delphi, “One must keep to the happy medium in all things.”

So what are your thoughts on the parallel between the events of the week and the problems and resolutions addressed by Solon? Has this been useful in adding perspective to the issues in our present society?

Thales of Miletus (c640 - c562 B.C.): “The Impractical Scholar”

Hello Dish-friends,
I’ve been away, tending to some pressing concerns, but I hope I have not lost your interest in our discussion blog. In the meanwhile, I made it possible for you to post your comments on any topics, and left you the freedom to register as a reader or not. Just in case you had any thoughts on our offerings (and it would be nice to know who you are).

During this hiatus I’ve kept an eye out for interesting topics to blog for discussion, we will get to those in good time, because for right now I am using the expediency of directed research to share some of what I’ve been working on. It is a means to an end, the completion of something started and shelved at another point in time not unlike present circumstances. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate your understanding and support, and will resume the commitment to a weekly discussion.

The next several blog posts for discussion relates to some notable originators of modern theory and thought. This will not be linear in effort but it may present some surprising insights and “food for thought.” And as we mean to dish on these offerings, there will be opinions expressed. If Guy Kawasaki’s Holy Kaw is a “practical blog for impractical people” then we are in reverse, “an impractical blog for practical people,” neither aimless nor uninformative, but nonetheless aside from daily matters, a mental break that will keep you out of the pharmacy. However, like Mr. K’s diverse interests we aim to provide an enriching diversion from the normal course of things that might prompt you to say, “hmm, that’s interesting.”

Without much ado, meet or reacquaint yourself with Mr. Thales of Miletus, viewed by some in his time and successors as an “impractical scholar.” Hint: you’re in good company.

Thales of Miletus (c640 - c562 B.C.): “The Impractical Scholar”

Know thyself
and you will know the Universe and the gods!

Impractical Scholar or Shrewd Nerd?

Thales of Miletus, one for the seven great sages of Greece was born circa 640 BC to parents Examyes and Cleobuline in Milesia, now in Turkish region. In his career he was a merchant, magistrate, engineer, political strategist, and statesman, and is credited for his contributions to physics, math, navigation, astronomy, and philosophy. Thales founded a school of philosophy in Ionia where he taught philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. He basically advocated a love of learning and practical, scientific methodology over supernatural explanations for observable, actionable phenomena.

Had he not made some significant contributions to math, physics, philosophy, and astronomy, the ‘impractical scholar' jest by Socrates might have been earned. Rather, this is a man to whom many philosophers, geometers, and scientists credit as the originator of their work, so the slight, if indeed it was one, merely pokes fun at could have been a humorous accident. Regarding the incident, it is reported of Thales of Miletus being so engrossed with his passions that he did hardly noticed a ditch or well in his path until he had fallen in. Whether the hole was real or metaphor matters little to history now, but the anecdote defines Thales as being passionate about his pursuits not so much as careless in his responsibilities.

Absorbing interests aside, Thales proved that he was indeed a shrewd and practical nerd as he demurred compensation from his noble students and asked only that he was given credit as the author of the precepts taught. “That will be for you praiseworthy modesty and for me a very precious reward.” He was also wise in not leaving traceable documents that his successors and detractors might have used to unnecessarily refute and diminish his work. Hence he took and built upon what he learned from the Egyptian and Chaldean mystery schools where he is believed to have studied. One should see no fault in that as it is the role of an education to develop the mind to seek and make its own discoveries.

Further to his credit for shrewdness and pragmatism, Thales may have used his knowledge of the solstices and lunar phases to develop a farmer’s almanac for his region as he might have learned from the Egyptians. Thus, he cornered the market in anticipation of a particularly bountiful olive season through acquisition of all the presses in his locale, then renting them at a profitable rate. It is believed that his gains afforded him the wealth to travel and study abroad in Egypt, Babylonia, and Chaldea. Thales’ reproach to those who regarded him as an ‘impractical scholar’ was that as easy as it could be for the wise, albeit scholarly men, to attain wealth, they did not place great value on amassing tangible riches but rather, preferred the enrichment of the mind.

Reclusive Scholar/Man of the People

The role of a philosopher/teacher is to initiate discovery through inquiry which Thales appeared to do in challenging assumptions as to the origin of the wind, the cause of lightning and thunder, the substance of thunderbolts, the size, shape, and support of the earth, the cause of earthquakes, the dates of the solstices, and the size of the sun and moon. Thus, Thales is credited for the understanding of the phases of the moon by which he set the monthly calendar, and the length of the year to 365 days as we know it. His method had its origins in his Egyptian studies. Thales also established the theoretical foundation of physics with the 5 theorems of elementary geometry and utilized his formulations to calculate the distance of ships from shore, and the height of monumental objects based on how the length of its shadow coincides with its true height.

Thales appeared to be as much a man of the people as he was a reclusive scholar through the practical contributions he made to their everyday lives, livelihood, and matters of the state. As an astronomer he developed navigational guides used by seafarers and fishermen based on his revelation of the stellar constellation of the Little Bear. (It was on one of his star-gazing expeditions that he is purported to have fallen into that ditch! Comical, and endearing.) As a political strategist and statesman he seems to have contributed much to military strategy first in using the unprecedented prediction of a solar eclipse as a tactical advantage to sway the superstitions of an opponent into negotiating conditions of peace. He also used his engineering skills to re-channel a river flow in order to allow the Lydian king, Croesus’ army to cross without having to build a bridge or commission boats. Yet, Thales is revered for having exercised diplomacy in that war by advising against an alliance with Croesus’s regime, who by historical account did not have the respect of the statesmen of his time, and merely delivered him to defeat at the hand of the Persians. As might be deduced by the aforementioned aphorism, the great Sages leaned on the side of humility.

A bridge between myth and mind

Socrates regarded laconic brevity—“the ability to utter such [brief and terse] remarks” as the hallmark of “a perfectly educated man.” (In light of some of my paragraphical sentences this might seem self-indicting, but I stand my ground.) And it is in such a manner that Thales and his contemporaries endeavored to express their thoughts. In certain writings there appears to be some misunderstanding of the language and precepts of metaphysics which in turn may have led to inaccurate interpretations and references to some esoteric aspects of Thales philosophical reasonings.

For example Thales’ gnosis that “All things have souls or are animated by the divine” is regarded as pantheistic. Yet today, quantum physics holds the view that all things emanate from and are sustained by the same self-sustaining, all-sufficient, self-operative principle and force-- apeiron, and that this substance may be found everywhere in the universe. Thales’ belief that the world is arranged by unboundless, infinite intelligent design also supports that view.

As well, the primacy of water to life and nature may have led Thales to deduce that water is the first element to emanate from the Ether and is, therefore, the first principle of all things. He also observed that as all things are perpetually changing from one elemental state to another, some more gradually than others, then, everything eventually returned to the Ether or source of Creation.

Students in Thales’ Ionia School of Philosophy would have proposed answers to and discussed ideas like these:


 1. What is the largest thing in the world?

 2. What is the strongest?

 3. What is the fastest thing known to man?

 4. What is the most difficult thing to do?

 5. What is the easiest thing to do?

 6. Who /What is God?

 7. What is the most virtuous thing to do?

 8. What/who is the wisest thing/one in the world?

 9. What is the most agreeable thing in life?

10. How does one gain good fortune?


Please share your answers in the comments here or on my Twitter page. I will post the answers in my Twitter Favorites as your responses come in, hash tag #ThalesofMiletus, and do follow me for future topics and discussions. I am a moderate tweeter; my tweets between blog posts are usually about music, food, my daily workouts, retweets of ideas or from people that fascinate me, and inspirational quotes from poetry, scripture, metaphysics, psychology, and philosophy.


A Fortunate Life

Thales is well established in history as a Sophoi, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, and in modernity as the originator of Western Philosophy. “The most outstanding aspects of Thales’s heritage are: The search for knowledge for its own sake; the development of the scientific method; the adoption of practical methods and their development into general principles; his curiosity and conjectural approach to the questions of natural phenomena – In the sixth century BCE Thales asked the question, ‘What is the basic material of the cosmos?’ The answer is yet to be discovered.”(Patricia O’Grady, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Thales died around 78 years old from heat exhaustion and old age while watching the 58th Olympiad from the view of his terrace. He was much beloved by the Greek; his death was observed with great pomp and circumstance.

That was good wasn't it? Let me know what you think, and thank you for reading. Make it great for the rest of the week.



Photo credit: The bust shown above is in the Capitoline Museum in Rome but is not contemporary with Thales.