an ancient Grecian orator, was born at Syracuse in the 80th Olympiad. At 15, he went to Thurion, a colony of the Athenians; and when grown up, assisted in the administration of the government there many years. When about 47 years of age, he returned to Athens; whence, being afterwards banished by the 30 tyrants, he went to Megara. Upon his return, Thrasybulus would have had him employed again in state matters; but this not taking place, he spent the remainder of his life as a private man. He was very familiar with Socrates, and other illustrious philosophers. He professed to teach the art of speaking; not that he pleaded at the bar himself, but he supplied others with speeches. "Fuit Lyfias in causis forentibus non veratus (says Cicero), sed egregie subtilis scripior atque elegans," &c. Quinilian calls him, "subtilis atque elegant, et quo nihil, si erat oratoris satius fit docere, quaerat perfectius. Nihil enim est inane, nihil arcessitum; puro tamen fonti, quam magno flumini, proprius." Plutarch and Phoebus relate, that 425 orations were formerly exhibited under the name of Lysias; of which 34 only are now extant. The best edition of them is by Dr John Taylor at London, 1739, 4to; Cambridge, 1740, 8vo.