Pythias was the adoptive daughter of
Hermias of AtarneusHermias of Atarneus , who lived in Atarneus, was 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...
, as well as
AristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
's first wife.
She was probably born about 381 BC and died in Athens after 326 BC. She predeceased Aristotle, which is known from his will, since it directs that her wish be honored to have her bones buried with his.
Together Aristotle and Pythias had a daughter, also named Pythias. This Pythias married three times, but is also said to have predeceased her father. Her first husband was
Nicanor- Ancient history :* Nicanor , 4th century BCE; an officer of Cassandrus* Nicanor , 4th century BCE; Macedonian officer, governor of Media under Antigonus...
, Aristotle's nephew by his sister
ArimnesteArimneste was the daughter of Nicomachus and Phaestis, and Aristotle's older sister. In addition to Aristotle, Arimneste had a brother named Arimnestus. Her name and that of her brother translates as "Greatly remembered"....
. According to Aristotle's will, Nicanor was to manage the family affairs until his son,
NicomachusNicomachus , lived c. 325 BC, was the son of Aristotle.The Suda states that he was from Stageira, a philosopher, a pupil of Theophrastus, and, according to Aristippus, his lover. He may have written a commentary on his father's lectures in physics...
came of age. Pythias' second husband was Procles of Sparta. Pythias' third husband was
MetrodorusMetrodorus of Lampsacus was a Greek philosopher of the Epicurean school. Although one of the four major proponents of Epicureanism, only fragments of his works remain.-Life:...
, a physician.