Lysis, an illustrious philosopher originally from Taranto, was a leading exponent of the Pythagorean school, active in the 5th century BC. His life is marked by dramatic and significant events, in particular by the devastating calamity of the fire started by the followers of Cylon of Croton, which led to the death of numerous Pythagoreans. Fortunately, Lysis managed to escape this tragedy together with Pythagoras and Archippus, finding refuge in Greece, initially in Peloponnesian Achaea and later in the city of Thebes.
In Thebes, Lysis took on the role of tutor to Epaminondas, a figure of fundamental importance in Greek history, who had a profound respect for him, so much so that he called him “father”. Under the wise guidance of Lysis, Epaminondas distinguished himself for his ability to reshape Greek geopolitics, leading to the defeat of the Spartans and contributing, together with Pelopidas, to the emergence of Theban hegemony. Lysis’s influence was so powerful that Cicero designated him as “the first man of Greece”, while Michel de Montaigne considered him one of the three “most courageous and excellent men” that history had ever known.
Although the Pythagoreans were known for their aversion to writing, passing on knowledge orally and only to the initiated, some epistolary works attributed to Lysis, such as “De institutione”, “De Civilitate” and “De Natura”, have managed to survive over time. However, the true legacy of Lysis is represented by the triumphs of Epaminondas, who, thanks to the teachings received, managed to project Thebes towards a position of pre-eminence in the political panorama of ancient Greece.
A notable aspect of Lysis's greatness is also evident in the events that followed his death. It is said that a delegation of Pythagoreans went to Thebes with the intention of recovering the philosopher's body and burying it next to Pythagoras, according to the traditions of their cult. However, the Thebans refused this request, thus demonstrating the high value they attributed to Lysis. He received, thanks to the influence of Epaminondas, an honorable burial, worthy of a Pythagorean, a testimony to his importance and the esteem he had earned. Lysis, therefore, turns out to be a crucial figure in the panorama of philosophical and political thought of ancient Greece, whose impact was felt for centuries.
Fennel Taralli
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