A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Κλεινίας), a Pythagorean philosopher, of Tarentum, was a contemporary and friend of Plato's, as appears from the story (perhaps otherwise worthless) which Diogenes Laertius (9.40) gives on the authority of Aristoxenus, to the effect that Plato wished to burn all the writings of Democritus which he could collect, but was prevented by Amyclas and Cleinias. In his practice, Cleinias was a true Pythagorean. Thus we hear that he used to assuage his anger by playing on his harp; and, when Prorus of Cyrene had lost all his fortune through a political revolution (comp. Thrige, Res Cyrenensium, § 48), Cleinias, who knew nothing of him except that he was a Pythagorean, took on himself the risk of a voyage to Cyrene, and supplied him with money to the full extent of his loss. (Iambilich. Vit. Pyth. 27, 31, 33; Ael. VH 14.23; Perizon. ad loc. ; Chamael. Pont. apud Athen. xiv. p. 623f.; Diod. Fragm. lib. x.; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. i. pp. 840, 886.)

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