Knights of Pythias

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, DC, on 19 February 1864.

The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order.

The order has over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.

Sword

Early in the group's history, when a man was inducted into the Knights of Pythias, he received a ceremonial sword. Such swords might be given to a Pythian by family members, business associates, or others as a token of esteem. In recent decades, rather than require each member to own a sword, the local chapter maintains a collection of swords for use by its members. Long, narrow swords are generally used in public during parades and drills, while short swords are used in displays.

Pythias

Pythias /ˈpɪθiəs/ (Greek: Πυθιάς, Pūthiás), also known as Pythias the Elder, was a Greek biologist and embryologist. She was the adoptive daughter of Hermias of Atarneus, as well as Aristotle's first wife.

Personal life and family

Whilst Pythias' date of birth is unclear, her work flourished around 330 BC and she died in Athens sometime after 326 BC. Aristotle and Pythias had a daughter, Pythias the Younger. Pythias the Younger married three times, but is also said to have predeceased her father. Her first husband was Nicanor, Aristotle's nephew by his sister Arimneste. According to Aristotle's will, Nicanor was to manage the family affairs until his son, Nicomachus came of age. Pythias' second husband was Procles of Sparta. Pythias' third husband was Metrodorus, a physician.

Work in biology

Pythias supposedly worked with her husband, Aristotle, on an encyclopedia from the material they gathered on their honeymoon on Mytilene. She is reputed to have collected a range of specimens of living things. Kate Campbell Hurd-Mead suggests that the couple collaborated in the study of generation.

Pythias (Roman)

Pythias was a Roman slave bound to Octavia, the wife of Nero until 62 AD. He was tortured and famously proclaimed that Octavia's genitalia was cleaner than Tigellinus' mouth.

Pythias (disambiguation)

Pythias may refer to:

See also