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Who was Hermias of Assus?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — Aristotle Aristotle, detail of a Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek alabaster portrait bust (c. 325 bce); in the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

Hermias of Assus (also referred to as Hermeias of Atarneus) was a ruler of the ancient Greek city of Assus and a graduate of Plato's Academy.12

He became a close friend and patron of Aristotle after inviting the philosopher to establish a school in Assus around 348 BCE. Aristotle eventually married Pythias, who was the ward of Hermias.12

Hermias played a significant role in regional politics by negotiating an alliance with Macedonia, an action that provoked the Persian king. Consequently, Hermias was treacherously arrested and executed by the Persians around 341 BCE. Aristotle later honored his friend's memory in his only surviving poem, the "Ode to Virtue".2