Book 1
5.84
This was the manner of his death. He had been pleading in defence of some client in spite of his great age. When he had finished speaking, he reclined his head on his grandson’s bosom. The opposing counsel made a speech, the judges voted and gave their verdict in favour of the client of Bias, who, when the court rose, was found dead in his grandson’s arms.
5.85
The city gave him a magnificent funeral and inscribed on his tombAnth. Pal. vii. 90.: Here Bias of Priene lies, whose name Brought to his home and all Ionia fame. My own epitaph isAnth. Pal. vii. 91.: Here Bias rests. A quiet death laid low The aged head which years had strewn with snow. His pleading done, his friend preserved from harms, A long sleep took him in his grandson’s arms.
5.85
He wrote a poem of 2000 lines on Ionia and the manner of rendering it prosperous. Of his songs the most popular is the following: Find favour with all the citizens . . . . . . in whatever state you dwell. For this earns most gratitude; the headstrong spirit often flashes forth with harmful bane.
