The doxographer Aristocles of Messene, a Peripatetic philosopher, defended Aristotle from slander that claimed Pythias was both Hermias' adopted daughter and sister.
Citing the text On Poets and Writers of the Same Name by the scholar Demetrius of Magnesia (1st Century BCE), another doxographer, Diogenes Laertius writes that Pythias was either Hermias' niece or daughter [3].
Aristocles portrays the matter differently: according to his information, Aristotle married Pythias only after the death of Hermias, who was captured and executed through subterfuge on the orders of the Persian King Artaxerxes III.
However, defending Aristotle's marriage, Aristocles claims the wedding only occurred after Hermias' death, when the connection with the family of fallen rulers would offer no advantage whatsoever.
Aristotle spoke out against Antipater in a letter: As justification for the marriage he pointed out his friendship with the executed Hermias, after whose death Pythias was left in an unfortunate situation.
Herpyllis, who was conspicuously and generously looked after by his Will, may have been a relative of Aristotle from Stagira, who lived in his household and therefore became a source of gossip for his enemies.