Archias (grc|Ἀρχίας) was the governor (strategos) of Cyprus under Ptolemy VI Philometor in the 2nd century BCE.[1]
Little is known of Archias's life. He traveled with Ptolemy to Rome in 164, and took his post in Cyprus in 163.[2] The Seleucids had always had their eye on the island, and in 155 Demetrius I Soter gave Archias a bribe of 500 talents in order to betray the island. Archias was caught, and put on trial for this. Before the trial could be resolved in a guilty or innocent verdict, Archias hanged himself.[3] [4] While 155 is traditionally considered his date of death, various scholars have put the date of his suicide anywhere between 158 and 154.[2]
This event was said to have inspired the adage of the Dutch Renaissance humanist Erasmus, "Inanium inania consilia" ("futile advice from futile people"), said when a person of low intelligence is foiled in their plans.[5]
. Christian Habicht (historian) . Astin . A. E.. Walbank . F. W. . F. W. Walbank . Frederiksen . M. W. . Ogilvie . R. M. . The Cambridge Ancient History: Rome and the Mediterranean to 133 B.C. . The Seleucids and their rivals . . VIII . 2 . 1953 . 361 . 9780521234481 . 2017-10-07.
. Erasmus . Grant . John N. . Collected Works of Erasmus - Adages III IV 1 to IV II 100 . . Collected Works of Erasmus Series . 35 . 2005 . 81 . 9780802036438 . 2017-10-07.