Pidot (Symposion)

by Plato

"Pidot (Symposion)" by Plato is a Socratic dialogue written around 385-370 BC. It depicts a banquet where prominent Athenian men—including Socrates, Alcibiades, and Aristophanes—compete in delivering speeches praising Eros, the god of love. Each speaker offers a different perspective on love's nature and power, from inspiring courage to achieving spiritual transcendence. Set during an evening of wine and philosophy, the dialogue explores love's many meanings through eloquent arguments that build toward Socrates' culminating speech.