Xenophon

The Symposium (eBook, ePUB)

Exploring Love, Friendship, and Wisdom in Ancient Greece through Intellectual Conversations
Übersetzer: Dakyns, Henry Graham

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "The Symposium," Xenophon presents a fascinating dialogue centered around themes of love, virtue, and the nature of happiness, echoing the intellectual spirit of classical Athens. Structured as a series of conversations among notable figures, the text employs a Socratic dialogue style that compels readers to engage deeply with the philosophical underpinnings of social relationships and ethical conduct. Rich in rhetoric and reflecting the cultural milieu of the 4th century BCE, Xenophon'Äôs work offers an alternative perspective to Plato's Symposium, emphasizing practical wisdom and everyday virtue alongside idealistic views. Xenophon, an Athenian historian, philosopher, and soldier, was significantly influenced by his experiences in both Greek warfare and Socratic thought. Having been a student of Socrates, his writings often reflect the philosophical inquiries of his mentor while making them accessible to a broader audience. His unique position as a citizen of Athens, intertwined with military leadership and intricate social networks, shaped his examination of human relationships and moral philosophy, giving "The Symposium" a pragmatic lens through which to view love and companionship. This work stands as an essential read for those interested in classical philosophy and the evolution of social thought. Readers will appreciate not only the depth of intellect and clarity of expression but also the enduring relevance of the questions posed regarding love and morality in contemporary society.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 152
• Erscheinungstermin: 20. November 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664148766
• Artikelnr.: 58501328

Autorenporträt

Xenophon of Athens (c.¿431 BC - 354 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates. As a soldier, Xenophon became commander of the Ten Thousand at about 30, with noted military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge saying of him, "the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior." He established the precedent for many logistical operations and was among the first to use flanking maneuvers, feints and attacks in depth. He was among the greatest commanders of antiquity. As a historian, Xenophon is known for recording the history of his time, the late-5th and early-4th centuries BC, in such works as the Hellenica, which covered the final seven years and the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), thus representing a thematic continuation of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. As one of the Ten Thousand (Greek mercenaries), Xenophon participated in Cyrus the Younger's failed campaign to claim the Persian throne from his brother Artaxerxes II of Persia. He recounted the events in Anabasis, his most notable history. Like Plato, Xenophon is an authority on Socrates, about whom he wrote several books of dialogues (the Memorabilia) and an Apology of Socrates to the Jury, which recounts the philosopher's trial in 399 BC. Despite being born an Athenian citizen, Xenophon was also associated with Sparta, the traditional enemy of Athens. His pro-oligarchic politics, military service under Spartan generals in the Persian campaign and elsewhere, and his friendship with King Agesilaus II endeared Xenophon to the Spartans. Some of his works have a pro-Spartan bias, especially the royal biography Agesilaus and the Constitution of the Spartans. Xenophon's works span several genres and are written in plain-language Attic Greek, for which reason they serve as translation exercises for contemporary students of the Ancient Greek language. In the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laërtius observed that, as a writer, Xenophon of Athens was known as the "Attic Muse," for the sweetness of his diction.