Greek Anthology Book XIV: Metrodorus: 124

Arithmetical Epigram of Metrodorus

 * The sun, the moon, and the planets of the revolving zodiac spun such a nativity for thee;
 * for a sixth part of thy life to remain an orphan with thy dear mother,
 * for an eighth part to perform forced labour for thy enemies.
 * For a third part the gods shall grant thee home-coming, and likewise a wife and a late-born son by her.
 * Then thy son and wife shall perish by the spears of the Scythians,
 * and then having shed tears for them thou shalt reach the end of thy life in twenty-seven years.

Solution
Let $n$ be the length in years of the subject's life.


 * $\dfrac n 6$ is spent as an orphan


 * $\dfrac n 8$ is spent as a slave


 * $\dfrac n 3$ is spent at home with a wife and son


 * $27$ years remain.

We have:

So the subject lived $72$ years, of which:


 * $12$ years were spent as an orphan


 * $9$ years were spent as a slave


 * $24$ years were spent as a family man at home

and $27$ years remained before his death.