The Symposium is a philosophical dialogue in which a group of Athenian thinkers gather at a banquet and deliver speeches on the nature of love. Through a sequence of distinct perspectives—ranging from poetic and mythological to rational and philosophical—the text explores desire, beauty, friendship, and the pursuit of wisdom. Central to the dialogue is Socrates’ account of the teachings of Diotima, which presents love as a dynamic force that leads the soul toward knowledge and the good. Written in dialogue form and translated into clear English, the work offers an accessible introduction to Plato’s thought and to classical discussions of ethics, love, and human aspiration.
Number of pages: 144
Year of publication: 2003
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Language: English
Original language: Ancient Greek
Translator: Christopher Gill
