The Symposium

by Xenophon

"The Symposium" by Xenophon is a Socratic dialogue written in the late 360s B.C. Set at an aristocratic dinner party in 422 B.C., the work follows Socrates and his companions as they gather to honor a young athletic victor. Between acrobatic performances and jesting, the guests engage in playful yet philosophical discussions about what they value most—from beauty and matchmaking to poverty and divine favor. Beneath the witty banter lies deeper exploration of wisdom, virtue, and desire, while the assembled company harbors ironies that contemporary readers would have recognized.