Menexenus [Greek text and translation]
by Plato
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Plato challenges his readers by depicting an elderly Socrates as an enthusiastic student of rhetoric who has learned from his teacher Aspasia to recite an inspiring funeral oration, an oration that conspicuously refers to events occurring after the deaths of Socrates and Aspasia, an oration that Aspasia, as a woman and a non-Athenian, was not eligible to deliver over the Athenians who died in war. This commentary, the first in English in over 100 years, assists the modern reader in show more confronting Plato's challenge. The Introduction sets the dialogue in the context of the traditional Athenian funeral oration and of Plato's ongoing critique of contemporary rhetoric. The Commentary, which is well suited to the needs and interests of intermediate students of Classical Greek, provides guidance on grammatical and historical matters, while allowing the student to appreciate Plato's mastery of Greek prose style and critique of democratic ideology. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Se é que Platão escreveu esse exercício retórico, Menexenus consiste em Sócrates fazendo cosplay de Tucídides ao discursar uma peça histórica na íntegra, que atribui a sua mentora Aspasia, com tons provavelmente sarcástico ou ao menos paródicos, mas que mesmo assim, devem despertar o interesse apenas de quem quer completar a coleção...
Not one of Plato's best dialogues. It is short and, from what I gathered from further reading, intended to be a satire.
Not great, but still worth reading for lovers of Plato.
Not great, but still worth reading for lovers of Plato.
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2,732+ Works 100,740 Members
Plato was born c. 427 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family very much involved in political government. Pericles, famous ruler of Athens during its golden age, was Plato's stepfather. Plato was well educated and studied under Socrates, with whom he developed a close friendship. When Socrates was publically executed in 399 B.C., Plato show more finally distanced himself from a career in Athenian politics, instead becoming one of the greatest philosophers of Western civilization. Plato extended Socrates's inquiries to his students, one of the most famous being Aristotle. Plato's The Republic is an enduring work, discussing justice, the importance of education, and the qualities needed for rulers to succeed. Plato felt governors must be philosophers so they may govern wisely and effectively. Plato founded the Academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth. The Academy lasted well into the 6th century A.D., and is the model for all western universities. Its formation is along the lines Plato laid out in The Republic. Many of Plato's essays and writings survive to this day. Plato died in 347 B.C. at the age of 80. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Menexenus; Menexenus [Greek text and translation]
- Original publication date
- c. 380 B.C.
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- Members
- 68
- Popularity
- 459,538
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (2.83)
- Languages
- 5 — English, Finnish, French, Multiple languages, Turkish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 17
- ASINs
- 2
