A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ὑβρέας), of Mylasa in Caria, was, according to Strabo, the greatest orator of his time. His father left him nothing but a mule and cart, with which he gained his living for some time by carrying wood. He then went to hear Diotrephes at Antioch, and, on his return, he became an ἀγορανόηος in his native city. Having gained some property in this occupation, he applied himself to public speaking and public business, and soon became the leading man in the city. There is a celebrated saying of his, addressed to Enthydemus, who was the first man in the city while he lived, but who made a somewhat tyrannical use of his influence: "Euthydemus, thou art a necessary evil to the state, for we can neither live under thee nor without thee." By the boldness with which he expostulated with Antony, when the triumvir was plundering Asia in the year after the battle of Philippi (B. C. 41), Hybreas rescued his native city from the imposition of a double tax. " If," said he to the triumvir, "you can take tribute twice a year, you should be able also to make for us a summer twice and an autumn twice." (Plut. Ant. 24.) When Labienus, with the Parthians under Pacorus, invaded Asia Minor (B. C. 40), the only cities that offered any serious opposition to him were Laodicea, under Zeno, and Mylasa, under Hybreas. Hybreas, moreover, exasperated the young general by a taunting message. When the city was taken, the house and property of Hybreas were destroyed and plundered, but he himself had previously escaped to Rhodes. He was restored to hishome after the expulsion of the Parthians by Ventidius. (Strab. xiii. p.630. xiv. pp. 659, 660.) He is quoted two, or three times by Seneca; but, with these exceptions, his works are wholly lost. (Westermann, Gesch. d. Griech. Beredlsamckeit, § 86, n. 20.)

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