# Periander of Corinth — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Corinthian Periander

**First appearance:** 0010-periander

## Snapshot

Tyrant of Corinth who summoned the Seven Sages to his court, yet confessed in a letter that he had burned the clothes of every Corinthian woman in his dead wife's tomb.

## Who they are

Periander rules Corinth with the uneasy authority of a man who invites philosophers to dine while privately atoning for a crime he calls unintended. His letter to Procles—half plea, half threat over the alienation of his son—reveals a ruler who cannot separate the language of friendship from the machinery of power. He matters because his court is the stage on which the Seven Sages first assemble as a collective, and because his correspondence with Thrasybulus quietly demonstrates how a tyrant learns to keep his throne.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Origins and Divisions of Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-i)

Periander is addressed in a letter from Solon, warning him about the dangers of tyranny and advising him to either abandon it or secure foreign support.

### [Solon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/solon)

Tyrant of Corinth; Solon wrote to him advising caution and the use of foreign mercenaries.

### [Chilo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/chilo)

Recipient of a letter from Chilo advising against an expedition and warning about the dangers of tyranny.

### [Pittacus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/pittacus)

Mentioned as the arbitrator in a territorial dispute between Athens and Mitylene, which he decided in favor of the Athenians.

### [Bias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/bias)

Mentioned in the context of the seven wise men and the story of the tripod.

### [Periander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/periander)

The central figure of the chapter, a tyrant of Corinth known for his wisdom, violence, and political maneuvering.

### [Myson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/myson)

Replaced by Myson in Plato's list of wise men.

### [Aristippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/aristippus)

Tyrant at whose court Aristippus was favored; he tested Aristippus with courtesans and engaged in philosophical dialogues.

### [Simon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/simon)

Mentioned as offering to provide for Simon, who refused to sell his freedom of speech.

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

Younger Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, who promised but failed to grant Plato land for his constitution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/periander
- 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