Python of Aenus explained

Python of Aenus (; Greek, Modern (1453-);: Πύθων Αἴνιος; fl. 4th-century BCE) was a Greek philosopher and a former student of Plato.^[1] Around 360 BC, he and his brother Heraclides assassinated Cotys I, the ruler of Thrace.^[2]

Based on Demosthenes's Against Aristocrates, Python of Aenus was identified as Python of Byzantium, a Greek statesman. However, it is highly unlikely that both names are attributed to the same person.^[3]

Notes and References

1. [Diogenes Laërtius]
2. [Aristotle]
3. Natoli, Anthony Francis. The Letter of Speusippus to Philip II: Introduction, Text, Translation and Commentary ; with an Appendix on the Thirty-first Socratic Letter Attributed to Plato. Franz Steiner Verlag, 2004,, p. 54. [Footnote] "On the basis of Demosthenes Against Aristocrates 127; 119, Python of Byzantium has been identified with Python of Aenus, the slayer of the Odrysian king Cotys I, but this is highly unlikely."