The Symposium of Plato

Although I have ventured on several innovations of my own, I have been more conservative than the majority of foreign critics, a considerable selection of whose "restorations" will be found in the Critical Notes in addition to the evidence of the leading MSS. Manuscripts. and of the Papyrus: in all doubtful cases, I have also cited the opinions of Schanz and of the Oxford editor, Prof. Burnet, whose admirable recension A revised edition of a text based on critical analysis. has been before me constantly and has aided me much. For expository material, I must acknowledge in particular my indebtedness to the useful and scholarly edition of A. Hug.

To gild with comment the refined gold of Plato's work is at best a bold and reckless task; but if my book helps a single reader more justly to appraise the gold, it will not have been wrought wholly in vain.

R. G. B.

October 4, 1909.