The Pythagorean philosopher Myia remains a mysterious figure of ancient Greek intellectual history.
In short: Known as a daughter of Pythagoras and Theano, Myia was a prominent Pythagorean philosopher in the 5th century BC. While later traditions celebrate her religious devotion and marriage to the athlete Milo of Croton, her actual writings are lost, leaving us with only a single, likely spurious, surviving letter.
Myia, whose name translates literally to 'Fly,' flourished around 500 BC. As a member of the Pythagorean school, she occupied a space in history where philosophy and family lineage intertwined. Tradition identifies her as the daughter of the legendary Pythagoras and his wife, Theano. Her life was marked by public roles, including serving as a choir leader during her youth and earning a reputation for exemplary religious conduct as an adult woman. The ancient satirist Lucian even referenced her in his work, In Praise of a Fly, suggesting that her historical legacy was so well-established in his time that it required no further elaboration.
Despite her fame, the primary text attributed to her is almost certainly not her own. A letter addressed to a woman named Phyllis, which discusses the care of newborns, is widely considered spurious. Scholars estimate this document originated much later, likely between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. The content of this letter reflects Pythagorean values, specifically the principle of harmony, by arguing that infants possess an innate desire for moderation. It suggests that a nurse must embody this same balance in providing food, clothing, and warmth to ensure the child's well-being.
The ambiguity surrounding Myia highlights the difficulty of reconstructing the lives of women in the ancient world. While she is frequently cited as a philosopher, the lack of authentic primary sources makes it challenging to distinguish her personal contributions from the later traditions that grew around her name. Her story serves as a reminder of how historical figures are often shaped by the narratives of those who came after them, blending biographical fact with the philosophical ideals of their school. Whether or not she authored the surviving letter, her association with the Pythagorean tradition remains a significant, if elusive, part of the intellectual landscape of ancient Greece.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Myia
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