The Shorter Socratic Writings: "Apology of Socrates to the Jury," "Oeconomicus," and "Symposium"

by Xenophon, Robert C. Bartlett (Translator)

Overview

This book presents translations of three dialogues Xenophon devoted to the life and thought of his teacher, Socrates. Each is accompanied by notes and an interpretative essay that will introduce new readers to Xenophon and foster further reflection in those familiar with his writing. "Apology of Socrates to the Jury" shows how Socrates conducted himself when he was tried on the capital charge of not believing in the city's gods and corrupting the young. Although Socrates did not secure his own acquittal, he profoundly impressed some listeners who then helped to shape the public perception of philosophy as a noble, if highly idiosyncratic, way of life. In "Oeconomicus," Xenophon relates the conversation Socrates had on the day he turned from the study of natural philosophy to that of moral and political matters. "Oeconomicus" is concerned most directly with the character and purpose of Socrates' political philosophy. Xenophon provides entertaining portraits of Socrates' circle of friends in the "Symposium." In the process, he conveys the source of every individual's pride in himself, thus defining for each a conception of human excellence or virtue. The dialogue concludes with Socrates' beautiful speech on love (eros) and its proper place in the good or happy life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801472985
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	02/09/2006
Series:	Agora Editions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	1620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert C. Bartlett is Associate Professor of Political Science at Emory University. He is the translator of Plato's "Protagoras" and "Meno," also from Cornell, and author of Action and Contemplation: Studies in the Moral and Political Thought of Aristotle.

What People are Saying About This

Eric Buzzetti

Cornell University Press and the general editor of the Agora series, Thomas L. Pangle, have made a substantial contribution to the field of Xenophon studies with the publication of these volumes. Each one contains an excellent translation of one or several of Xenophon's writings... and each translated work is richly annotated and accompanied by a helpful introductory essay.

Editorial Reviews

The book culminates with the most rousing of Xenophon's dialogues, the 'Symposium,' which Robert Bartlett translates in a vein of affable vivacity.... The commentators demonstrate a tight grasp of content and structure, and their perspicuous analyses could well serve as models of how to approach the elaborate works of Xenophon.

Review of Metaphysics

Brings together translations, along with introductions and notes, of Xenophon's minor writings. In keeping with the series's dictates, the translations are literal, word-for-word correspondence, allowing the Greekless reader to follow where Xenophon uses consistent language or where different terms affect the nuance. Since the translations are by different scholars, this policy is helpful, and the translators succeed in producing consistent, literal, and readable versions, though occasionally testing the limits of Greek and English idiom... McBrayer's volume makes Xenophon's shorter works considerably more accessible to a nonspecialist audience.

-- "Choice"

The book culminates with the most rousing of Xenophon's dialogues, the 'Symposium, ' which Robert Bartlett translates in a vein of affable vivacity.... The commentators demonstrate a tight grasp of content and structure, and their perspicuous analyses could well serve as models of how to approach the elaborate works of Xenophon.

-- "Review of Metaphysics"

From the Publisher

"Brings together translations, along with introductions and notes, of Xenophon's minor writings. In keeping with the series's dictates, the translations are literal, word-for-word correspondence, allowing the Greekless reader to follow where Xenophon uses consistent language or where different terms affect the nuance. Since the translations are by different scholars, this policy is helpful, and the translators succeed in producing consistent, literal, and readable versions, though occasionally testing the limits of Greek and English idiom... McBrayer's volume makes Xenophon's shorter works considerably more accessible to a nonspecialist audience."

Choice

A new translation of three dialogues by Xenophon, dedicated to his teacher Socrates and with interpretive essays and notes written by five political scientists. The Apology of Socrates to the Jury documents Socrates conduct when he was tried on capital charges. Oeconomicus describes Socrates' conversation regarding the study of natural philosophy and politics. In the third dialogue Symposium Xenophon portrays Socrates' circle of friends, and concludes the dialogue with his speech on love (eros). Lacks an index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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