Ion

by Plato

"Ion" by Plato is a dialogue written in ancient Greece. In this short work, Socrates questions Ion, a professional rhapsode who performs and lectures on Homer's poetry. Their conversation explores a provocative question: does Ion's skill come from genuine knowledge and artistic technique, or from divine possession? Through pointed questioning, Socrates challenges Ion's claims of expertise, suggesting that poets and their performers may be inspired vessels of the gods rather than masters of craft—a conclusion the rhapsode resists accepting.