Biton
(Βίτων), the author of a work called κατασκευαὶ πολεμικῶν ὀργάνων κὰ καταπελτικῶν. His history and place of birth are unknown. He is mentioned by Hesychius (s. u. Σαμβύκη), by Heron Junior (de Mach. Bell. prooem), and perhaps by Aelian (Tact. 100.1), under the name of *Bi/wn. Works κατασκευαὶ πολεμικῶν ὀργάνων κὰ καταπελτικῶν
The treatise consists of descriptions-- 1. Of a πετρόβολον, or machine for throwing stones, made at Rhodes by Charon the Magnesian. 2. Of another at Thessalonica, by Isidorus the Abidene. 3. Of a ἑλέπολις (an apparatus used in besieging cities, see Vitr. 10.22, and Dict. of Ant. s. v.), made by Poseidonius of Macedon for Alexander the Great. 4. Of a Sambuca (Dict. of Ant. s. v.), made by Damius of Colophon. 5. Of a γαστραφέτης (an engine somewhat resembling a crossbow, and so named from the way in which it was held in order to stretch the string, see Hero Alexandrinus, Belop. ap. Vet. Math. p. 125), made by Zopyrus of Tarentum at Miletus, and another by the same at Cumae in Italy.
Biton addresses this work to king Attalus, if at least the reading ὦ Ἄτταλε is to be adopted instead of ὦ πάλαι or πάλλα (near the beginning), and the emendation is said to be supported by a manuscript (Gale, de Script. Mythol. p. 45); but whether Attalus, the 1st of Pergamus, who reigned B. C. 241-197, or one of the two later kings of the same name be meant, is uncertain. Editions
The Greek text, with a Latin version, is printed in the collection of ancient mathematicians, Vet. Mathem. Op. Graec. et Latin., Paris, 1693, fol., p. 105, &c. Work on Topics
Biton mentions (p. 109) a work of his own on Optics, which is lost. Further Information
Fabric. Bibl. Graec. ii. p. 591. [W.F.D]
(Βίτων) and CLEOBIS (Κλέοβις) were the sons of Cydippe, a priestess of Hera at Argos. Herodotus, who has recorded their beautiful story, makes Solon relate it to Croesus, as a proof that it is better for mortals to die than to live. On one occasion, says Herodotus (1.31), during the festival of Hera, when the priestess had to ride to the temple of the goddess in a chariot, and when the oxen which were to draw it did not arrive from the country in time, Cleobis and Biton dragged the chariot with their mother, a distance of 45 stadia, to the temple. The priestess, moved by the filial love of her sons, prayed to the goddess to grant them what was best for mortals. After the solemnities of the festival were over, the two brothers went to sleep in the temple and never rose again. The goddess thus shewed, says Herodotus, that she could bestow upon them no greater boon than death. The Argives made statues of the two brothers and sent them to Delphi. Pausanias (2.20.2) saw a relief in stone at Argos, representing Cleobis and Biton drawing the chariot with their mother. (Comp. Cic. Tuscul. 1.47 ; V. Max. 5.4, extern. 4; Stobaeus, Sermones, 169; Servius and Philargyr. ad Virg. Georg. 3.532.) [L.S]
(Βίτων) and Cleŏbis (Κλέοβις). The sons of Cydippé, a priestess of Heré at Argos. They were celebrated for their affection for their mother, whose chariot they once dragged during a festival to the Temple of Heré, a distance of forty-five stadia. The priestess prayed to the goddess to grant them what was best for mortals, and during the night they both died while asleep in the temple. (Herod.i. 31; Val. Max. v. 4; Tusc. Disp. i. 47).
- brother of Cleobis, story of their filial devotion: Paus. 2.20.3, Hdt. 1.31
- statue of B. carrying a bull: Paus. 2.9.5