The Seven Sages lived in the latter half of the seventh, and the early sixth, centuries B.C.
The list of the Sages varies. Only four were universally agreed upon: Thales, Bias, Pittacus, Solon. The earliest list, which adds Cleobulus, Myson, Chilon, is given by Plato in the Protagoras.
They represented the practical wisdom of Greece. Many sayings were attributed to them, of which the best-known are: 'Know thyself', and 'Nothing too much'; these they dedicated to Apollo at Delphi.