plato context Flashcards
+ how his context influenced his ideas
What were Platos dates?
427-347 BC
What was Plato’s significance?
- Greek philosopher + writer
- Born into rich family
- Inspired by Socrates
What did Plato found?
Found The Academy in Athens; school for philosophers where Aristotle went
What were Socrates’ dates?
469-399 BC
What was the significance of Socrates?
- Wasn’t born into wealth
- Fought in Peloponnesian War
- Ugly
How did Plato normally write?
In form of dialogues; verbal exchanges bet 2+ characters; chief character was Socrates
What was the significance of Aristophanes?
Comic dramatist
Wrote comedies that made fun of Greek life + exposed politicians
What was the significance of Agathon?
Athenian general + politician
Handsome + notorious in Athens for extravagant + hedonistic lifestyle
When was the Sicilian expedition + who led it?
416 BC - Alcibiades
What happened in 404 BC?
The Sicilian exp turned disastrous
Alcibiades had been prosecuted, gone to Spartans, ended up in Persian court + died
How did Alcibiades change after the Symposium?
Bc of the expedition, he was no longer a young, carefree lover
The passion he struggled to control then was the same passion that let him to the misguided campaign in Sicily
What does Plato show in the Symposium?
Plato shows Socrates trying to moderate Alcibiades’ behaviour
When + why was Socrates executed?
399 BC for corrupting youth
What would readers of the Symposium have had in mind?
- Epics: wrath, desire, consequences
- Athens losing Peloponnesian war to Sparta - 404 BC
- Loss of empire + prestige
