GReat wits , which have been happy in benefiting Posterity by their excellent inventions , have not alwaies had the fortune to enjoy the just reward , their glory being intercepted oftentimes by some later disguise of alteration or addition . It were therefore gratitude in us , who find our selves instructed by the Antients , to vindicate the memory of our masters by enquiring diligently the Authors of those labours whereof wee reap the Harvest . This kind of injury hath happened very considerably to THALES the wise man of Miletus , who first introduc'd Naturall and Mathematicall Learning into Greece , from whence it derived into us ; but the honour of so noble a design , the ambitious opposition of some , the industry of others hath so obscur'd that there is little of the reputation left to the deserving Author . I have therefore esteemed it worth my pains , to digest what I could collect or observe of a person , to whom all lovers of Learning are so much oblig'd .

The Original of Thales is very obscurely delivered . Some conceive he was a Phoenician by birth , whose opinion seeming to be strongly founded upon Laertius , and the Authorities by him alledged , it is necessary that we begin with a disquisition upon his words , which are , as commonly rendred , these .

Now Thales was born , as Herodotus , Duris and Democritus affirm , his Father being Examius , his Mother Cleobulina , of the Thelidae , who were Phoenicians , the most illustrious of all from Cadmus and Agenor , as Plato also saith ] The Testimony of Herodotus , though * * Astronom . Natione fuit Phoenix , ut Herodotus Milesius dicit . Which doubtlesse is corrupt ( for what Herodotus is that ? ) and to be restored to this effect , Natione fuit Phoenix ut Herodotus , Milesius ut alij dicunt . Higynus and * Suidas seem to understand it according to the common errour , as if hee were born in Phoenicia , expressely confirmes the contrary , being thus ; Thales a Milesian , a farre off by descent a Phoenician ; Whence we may gather , that the other two Authorities of Duris and Democritus imported little more , or at least nothing to a contrary sense . So likewise that of Leander , which is by * Clemens Alexandrinus cited jointly with Herodotus , to prove him of a Phoenician extract .

He was made free of Miletus when he went with Neleus who was banish'd out of Phoenicia ] The learned * * In Voce Thales . Casaubon to reconcile this story with that of Neleus , who was not banish'd out of Phoenicia , when he built , Miletus for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as if Thales being banish'd out of Phoenicia had gone with Neleus to Miletus ; which alteration begetteth a very strange Anacronism , for this Thales was above four hundred years later then that Neleus . Therefore if Laertius meant the same Neleus , either he was strangely mistaken , or his text is corrupt , and ought to be understood of the Ancestors of Thales , to which sense it may bee reduc'd with little alteration , thus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as if they being Phoenicians , went into ( arta , and became Citizen● of Miletus , at what time Neleus Son of Codrus , being put beside the Kingdom of Athens by his younger brother Me●on , lead th●ther the Ionian Colonies , whereof Miletus ( which he built ) was the chief City . Of this Colony see Herodotus , 〈◊〉 and Aelian .

But as most say he was born there , at Miletus , and of noble race ] So they render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in oposition to the first opinion which onely mentions his Family , not Country , it may perhaps be understood here in the same relation : Some ( saith he ) think , he was of a Phoenician extract , of those who were incorporated at Miletus ; others that he was of a Grecian Family , and that noble . Of this latter opinion is * * De Herod . ●nalign . Plutarch who reproves Herodotus for making Thales descended afar off from a Barbarian stock , and * * Laert. vit. Thal. Hermtppus , who ascribes that saying to him , that he thanked the Gods he was a Grecian , not a Barbarian .

Apollodorus saith , that Thales was born the first year of the thirty fift Olympiad ; * * Laert. Demetrius Phalereus saith , that he was honoured with the title of wise , when Damasias was Archon . Damasias was Archon according to * * Laert. Dionysius Halycarnassaeus the second year of the thirty fift Olympiad , * * Lib. 3. when Ancus Martius the fourth King of Rome began his reign .

Hereupon an anachronism of one year is supposed by very learned men , who would have Thales to be born the same year that Damasias was Archon . Whence * * De Atheniens tempor . Sigonius , * * De sctent . mathemat . 32. 8. Vossius , and others bring drown the birth of Thales to the second year of this Olympiad ; * * In Euseb. Scaliger , * * Archont . 1. 11. Meursius . * * Rationar . temp. 2. 12. Petavius and others raise Damasias to the first year , that they may make his Magistracy agree with Thales's birth ; neither rightly ; for the office of Damasias relateth not to the birth of Thales . For the clearing whereof we must take notice , that Damasias in the Athenian Fasti is twice said to be Archon , first in the second year of the thirty fift Olympiad , the next year after the birth of Thales , and again the fourth year of the forty eighth Olympiad , when he obtained the title of Wise ; The latter we cannot mention without acknowledgement of the great light Chronology hath received by Mr S●lden's Marmora Arundeliana .

It will be also worth observance , that there was another of this name , whom Eusebius placeth at the eighth Olympiad , and Lae●tius and * * Vita Lycurg . Plutarch make contemporary with Homer , Hesiod and Lycurgus . * * In Euseb. Scaliger , who perceived the inconsistency of this accompt , perceived not the reason of it ; for * * Phlegon fragm. Lycurgus and Iphitus instituted the Olympick games twenty seven Olympiads before Coraebus was victor , who according to Eusebius is the first . These two Thales are by some confounded , Eusebius calls the first a natural Philosopher , wheras it is certain that kind of Learning was first introduc'd into Greece by the 2d . * * In voce Thales . Suidas cites Phlegon , that the latter Thales flourish'd in the seventh Olympiad , which ●hi●gon doubtlesse meant of the first . * * See St. Augustin . de civit . dei , lib ▪ ●● cap. 24. & 27. They who place Thales about the seventh Olympiad , and make him contemporary with Romulus , confound the latter Thales with the first , and the true Epoche of the Olympiads with the vulgar . For the first Thales lived in the seventh Olympiad from the first of Iphitus ; Romulus liv'd about the same distance from the Olympiad of Coraebus .

This time is mistaken by that learned Father Clemens Alexandrinus , to prove Thales younger then the later Prophets . * * Stromat . 1. Thus ( saith he ) It is demonstrated that they who propheci'd in the time of Darius Hystaspes in the second year of his reign , that is to say , Aggaeus , Zacharias , and Malachy , who was one of the twelve seeing that they prophecied in the first year of the forty eight Olympiad , were more antient then Pythagoras , who is said to have been in the sixty second Olympiad ; and then Thales eldest of the Greek Sages , who was about the fiftieth Olympiad ; as if this were not rather an argument to prove these Prophets contemporary with Thales , which Eusebius allows . * * Praepar . Evangel. 10. 4. About the time ( saith he ) of Cyrus King of Persia , the seven wise men flourished ; this was the time in which the last of the Hebrew Prophets prophesied , since Troy , above six hundred years , after Moses , no lesse then fifteen hundred years . But if with Clemens Alexandrinus we account these Prophets coaetaneous with Darius Hystas●es , they will appear much younger then Thales , for Darius begun his reigne in the last yeare of the sixty fourth Olympiad .

His life at Miletus ( as * * Laert. Heraclides affirmes ) was retir'd and private ; some report hee married and had a Son named Cybissus , but the truer opinion is of those who say he lived unmarried , and made his * * Laert. Suid in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Sister's Son ( whom * * Vitâ Solon . Plutarch calls Cybisthus ) his Heir . * * Laert. Plut. Sympsiac . 3. 6. Stob. Serm. 66. Hee put off his Mother when she first moved him to marry , by telling her it was not yet time , and when hee was more in years , being again sollicited by her , hee answered , nor is it now time , meaning it was then too late . Being demanded why he took not some course to have issue , he answer'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is the same in pronouncing with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and may be taken either because he loved children , or di● not love them , as * * In Laertium . Casaubon conjectures ; but perhaps his meaning may better bee gather'd out of another answer of his to the same question , * * Stob. serm. 66. that he did not mean to draw voluntary cares upon his life , and disturb the quiet thereof ; or from this story related by * * Vita Solon . Plutarch .

Solon coming to Miletus to visit him , told him that he wondred hee wholly neglected marriage and issue . Thales at that time answered nothing , but some few daies after suborned a stranger to pretend that he came within ten daies from Athens ; Solon demanded what newes from thence ; nothing ( answered the other as he was instructed ) but the buriall of a young man attended by the whole City , being as was said Son of the most eminent person of the City , who at the same time was abroad in travell . Unhappy man ( cries Solon ) what was his name ? I heard it answered the other , but have forgot , onely I remember he was very famous for Wisdom and Iustice . Solon's fear encreasing upon every answer , he at last asked him if the Fathers name were not Solon , which the other affirming , he beat his own head , and did other actions accompanied with speeches proper to such as are transported with grief ; whereupon Thales similing , and interrupting him ; These things , Solon said he , deterr'd me from marriage , which thus disorder even thee a most constant person , but be not troubl'd at this newes , it is counterfeit .

In this privacy of life he was follicited and sent unto by many Princes , whose invitations and amities , ( Plutarch * * Sept. sap conviv . saith ) he refused ; visited by many eminent persons .

* * Laert. He is said to have cohabited some time with Thrasibulus ( a man of excellent wit and judgement ) who was King , or ( according to the Greek word ) Tyrant of Miletus , * * Arist. pol. 5. Iultim . though his reign continued but eleven months ; * * Herodot . 1. about the time that the Milesians enter'd into a League with Alyates the second then King of Lydia .

THE attribute of Wise , as * * Vit. Solon . de civit . d●i . 8. 2 Plutarch and Saint Augustine observe , was conferr'd upon the rest in respect of their morall rules and practise , but upon Thales particularly for his speculative Learning . It was first bestow'd on Thales , at what time Damasias was Archon , under whom ( according to * * Laert. Demetrius Phalareus ) all the seven were called wise . The second Damasias was Archon in the third year of the 49th . Olympiad , which * * Exercitat . Pli●ian . pag. 843. Salmasius knew not , when to make the words of Laertius agree with the first Damasias , he misinterpreted Eusebius and Clemens Alexandrinus , and subverted all other accounts of the birth and death of Thales , whereas this fortunately complies with the times of all the seven .

The first was Thales justly preferr'd before the rest in respect of his great Learning , which he owed not to any master ; The time when this honour was conferred on him , falls upon the fifty ninth year of his age .

The second , Pittacus of Mitylene who flourished in the forty second Olympiad , and died in the third year of the fifty second .

The third , Bias of Priene contemporary with Pittacus , living under Alyattes and Croesus .

The fourth , Solon , who was Archon at Athens the third year of the forty sixt Olympiad . He died Olymp. 55.

The fift , Cleobulus of Lindus , coetanoeus with Solon .

The sixt , Myson of Chene .

The seventh , Chilon of Lacedaemon , who was Ephorus Olymp . 56.

The credit and glory of these seven , was much encreased ( saith Plutarch ) by a Tripod sent round from one to another , by a mutual , noble and modest concession : the occasion related thus by Laertius and Valerius Maximus .

* * Laert. Some young men of Ionia having bought a draught of the Milesian fishermen , when the net was drawn up , there was found in it a Tripod , [ * * Valer. Maxim. 4. 1. a golden Delphick Table of great weight . ] * * Laert. Hereupon arose a dispute , [ * * Val. Max. those affirming they had bargain'd onely for the fish , the others that they bought the draught at a venturs ; by reason of the strangenesse of the case , and value of the Tripod it was delivered to the City Miletus ; ] * * Laert. The Milesians sent to the Oracle at Delphi about it , and received this answer .

Hereupon the Milesians by agreement presented it to Thales , he sent it to Bias , Bias to Pittacus , he to another , till it past through all the seven , coming at last to Solon , who affirming God to be the wisest , sent it back to Delphi [ * * Val. Max. giving him at once the title and reward of greatest wisdom . ]

But Callimachus in his Iambicks , ( continueth Laertius ) relates it otherwise ; that Bathycles an Arcadian left a cup , with order that it should be given to the wisest , whereupon it was presented to Thales , and past about in course till it came to him again , who then dedicated it to Apollo Didymaeus , with these verses , according to Callimachus .

In prose thus , Thales the Milesian , Son of Examius , to Delphian Apollo of the Grecians offers this twice received prize of eminence . He that carried the Cup from one to another , was Thyrion Son to Bathycles , ] whither allude these Verses of * * Athen. deipn. Phoenix Colophonius .

Eudoxius of Gnidus , and Euanthes of Miletus , report that a friend of Croesus having receiv'd from him a golden Cup to be given to the wisest of the Grecians , deliver'd it to Thales , and that at last it came to Solon , who sending to the Phythian Oracle to know who was the wisest , was answer'd Myson ; whom Eudoxius substitutes for Cleobulus , Plato for Periander ; the Oracle concerning Myson was this .

He that was sent upon the enquiry was Anacharsis . Daedacus the Platonist , and Clearchus affirm , that the Cup was sent by Croesus to Pittacus , and so carried about . Andron in Tripode , ( which seems to have been a discourse wholy upon this subject , and is likewise cited by Clemens Alexandrinus , to prove that Thales and the other six flourish'd about the fiftieth Olympiad ) writes , that the Argi●es proposed this Trypod as a prize to the wisest of the Greeks , and that it was adjudged to Aristodemus a Spartan , who resigned it to Chilon ; Aristodemus is mentioned by Alchaeus .

There are who report that a ship richly laden , sent by Periande● to Thrasibulus Tyrant of Miletus , was cast away in the Coan Sea , and the● ripod taken up by some Fishermen . Phanodius affirms it was lost in the Athenian Sea , and afterwards brought to the City , and upon consultdtion voted to be sent to Bias. Others say this Tripod was made by Vulcan , who gave it to Pelops as his wives Portion ; from him it came to Menelaus , and afterwards being taken away with Hellen by Paris , was by the Lacedaemonian [ Hellen ] thrown into the Sea , * * Plut. vit. sol . calling to mind [ * * Plut. vit. sol . an old Oracle ] that it would prove in time to come the ground of many contentions . After this some Lebeaians fishing thereabouts drew it up , and quarrelling with the fishermen about it , it was brought to Coos , but the controversie not decided , the businesse was told to those of Miletus which is the chief City of that Country , they sent sent a messenger to demand it , and finding themselves slighted , made war upon the Coans , in which many being slain on both sides , the Oracle declared that the Tripod should be given to the wisest , whereupon both parties with joint consent presented it to Thales [ * * Plut. vit. sol . The Coans being willing to grant that to a private person , for which they before contested with all the Milesians ] who dedicated it to Apollo Didyma●us ; the effect of the Oracle to the Coans was this . This Contestation shall continue till The golden Tripod into th' Ocean cast By Vulcan , you present to one whose skill Extends to things to come , present and past . To the Milesians ,

Comest thou Milesian to consult my shrine ? as before . Thus●aertius ●aertius . * * Vit. sol. Plutarch addes , that Thales said , Bias was wiser then himself , whereupon it past to him , from him to another , as wiser ; so passing in a circle from one to another , it came at last to Thales the second time . Finally it was sent from Miletus to Thebes , and dedicated to Ismenian Apollo . Theophrastus saith it was first sent to Bias at Priene , then by Bias to Thales at Miletus , so passing through all , it came again to Bias ; and finally was sent to Delphi . This is most generally reported , saving instead of a Tripod , some say it was a Cup sent from Croesus , others that it was left there by Bathycles

Thus was the Priority of Thales confirmed by the Oracle , for which reason he is by Cicero and Strabo stiled Prince of the wise men , to whom the rest yielded the preheminence .

THales ( saith Laertius ) is by many affirm'd to be the first that made disquisitions upon Nature . * * Apud Lactant. & de Natura Deor. 1. Cicero ( who taught the Greek Philosophy first to speak Latine , ) acknowledges Thales to be the first Author thereof . * * Lib. 14. Strabo saith , that he first of the Grecians made enquiry into naturall Causes and the Ma●hematicks . * * De plac . phil. 1. 3. Plutarch calls him Inventor of Philosophy ; Iustine Martyr , * * Paraenes . ad . Graec. The most antient of Philosophers ; Tertullian , first of Naturall Philosophers ; * * Apologet. Lactantius , * * De fals. rel. 1. 5. the first that made enquiry after Naturall Causes .