According to
Sosicrates, who quoted
Hermippus, Myson was the son of Strymon, a tyrant of his country. All sources agree that Myson was a plain farmer, though they differ as to his place of birth and residence. He is said to have lived in the village of Chen, though this is variously located in
Laconia or
Crete. He is also said to be "of Oeta", which seems to be a reference to
Mount Oeta; but the reference is sometimes read as "Etea" instead, which again may have been in Laconia or else in Crete. He died at the age of 97. In his
Protagoras,
Plato lists Myson of Chen as one of the Seven Sages of Greece, instead of
Periander, who was claimed as one by
Stobaeus, citing
Demetrius of Phaleron as his authority.
Eudoxus also lists Myson, but omits
Cleobulus instead. The
Oracle of Delphi proclaimed Myson the wisest of all men when
Anacharsis consulted it: : Myson of Chen in Oeta; this is he : Who for wiseheartedness surpasses thee; ==Quotations==