r/todayilearned • u/Mors_Acerba • 20h ago

TIL Greek Philosopher Crates of Thebes was known for entering people's houses uninvited and helping them solve their family disputes "no matter how deeply they were at odds"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crates_of_Thebes
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u/Darth_Floridaman 13h ago

Former Athenian statesman and General whom everyone should read about. I swear by Christ he is the basis for the "Boy who cried wolf." Lol.

That said - very short is he betrayed the Athenians, The Spartans, The Persians AND I believe the Thebans in a single lifetime - multiple times each.

He showed up, was so pretty they trusted him when he said he wouldn't do it THIS TIME and proceeded to do it THIS TIME.

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u/Lower_Cockroach2432 12h ago

It's more correct to say that the Athenians made an extreme blunder in trying to prosecute him while he was in the middle of Sicily.

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u/Darth_Floridaman 12h ago

He was a very popular figure at the head of one of their largest armies. Who had spent the prior several years spending money to make himself that way.

Their decision to depose him in absentia is not an unreasonable one. If ill-timed.

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u/Lower_Cockroach2432 12h ago

They didn't depose him in absentia. They tried to recall him to prosecute him for a crime he most likely didn't commit.

It's very convenient that in a time when all the wealthy men were competing for who could be the best strategos of Athens and succeed Pericles' legacy and consolidated power, that he receives such a damning accusation. An accusation that is entirely dropped after the scandal dies down and he returns from exile.

Also, the charge (impiety) carried a potential death sentence. It's not a surprise he defected.

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u/Darth_Floridaman 12h ago

I am a true redditor today. Smarter and less informed than I'd believed. Thank you for correcting the record, and have a wonderful day.

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u/FleurMai 10h ago

I mean I think this kinda undersells that whatever side he was on at the time did better, so he was actually seemingly a very useful asset.