# Archytas — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Archytas in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Archytas the Pythagorean, Tender Archytas

**First appearance:** 0075-archytas

## Snapshot

A Pythagorean statesman and mathematician from Tarentum, called 'Tender Archytas,' who proved that philosophy could govern a city as well as solve a theorem.

## Who they are

Archytas is the rare Pythagorean who actually ran things — a magistrate and military commander whose political career did not stop him from writing on number, harmony, and the nature of the universe. His friendship with Plato and his rescue of the philosopher from Dionysius' court give him a vivid place in the Platonic legend. He matters because he embodies the Pythagorean ideal: that the man who understands proportion can also govern, and that the contemplative life need not retreat from the world.

## In the story

### [Book III: The Life, Will, and Legacy of Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-iii)

Wrote a letter to Dionysius to secure Plato's safe return from Sicily.

### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/plato)

Pythagorean who wrote to Dionysius to secure Plato's safe return from Sicily.

### [Archytas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/archytas)

The subject of the chapter; a Pythagorean philosopher, general, and mathematician from Tarentum who saved Plato's life and corresponded with him.

### [Eudoxus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/eudoxus)

Eudoxus's teacher in geometry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/archytas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters