Hermias of Atarneus

Hermias of Atarneus (/ˈhɜːrmiəs/; Greek: Ἑρμίας ὁ Ἀταρνεύς;[1] died 341/0 BC)[2] was a Greek tyrant of Atarneus,[3] and Aristotle's father-in-law.

The first mention of Hermias is as a slave to Eubulus, a Bithynian banker who ruled Atarneus. Hermias eventually won his freedom and inherited the rule of Atarneus. Due to his policies, his control expanded to other neighbouring cities, such as Assos, in Asia Minor.

In his youth, Hermias had studied philosophy in Plato's Academy. There he first met Aristotle. After Plato's death in 347 BC, Xenocrates and Aristotle travelled to Assos under the patronage of Hermias. Aristotle founded his first philosophical school there and eventually married Pythias, Hermias' daughter or niece.

Hermias' towns were among those that revolted against Persian rule. In 341/0 BC, the Persian King, Artaxerxes III, sent Memnon of Rhodes to reconquer these coastal cities.[2] Under the guise of truce, Memnon tricked Hermias into visiting him, whereupon he bound Hermias in chains and sent him to Susa. Hermias was tortured, presumably for Memnon to learn more about Philip of Macedon's upcoming invasion plans. Hermias' dying words were that he had done nothing unworthy of philosophy.

After Hermias' death, Aristotle dedicated a statue in Delphi and composed a Hymn to Virtue in Hermias' honour.

  1. ^ Suda: "Ἑρμίας".
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Chroust1972a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Wormell, Donald Ernest Wilson (2016-03-07). "Hermias (1), tyrant of Atarneus, c. 355 BCE". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.3042. ISBN 978-0-19-938113-5. Retrieved 2021-09-15.