INTRODUCTION

§ i. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT.

I. The Preface: 172 A—174 A.

Apollodorus, in reply to the inquiry of some friends, explains the occasion on which the supper party at Agathon's was held, when Socrates and others delivered discourses on Eros Love.. The matter is fresh in his memory and, as a philologos original: "φιλόλογος" meaning a lover of words or learned discourse. himself, he is quite ready to repeat the whole story as he had it from Aristodemus—an eye-witness and an intimate disciple of Socrates—just as he had repeated it a few days before to his friend Glaucon.

II. Aristodemus's Prologue: 174 A—178 A.

Aristodemus, meeting Socrates smartly attired, expresses his surprise at so unusual a circumstance. Socrates explains that, being invited to dine with Agathon, he feels bound to go "in finery to the fine"; and he presses Aristodemus, although uninvited, to accompany him. On the road, Socrates, immersed in thought, lags behind, and Aristodemus arrives at Agathon's alone. Not until they are half-way through the meal does Socrates appear; and Agathon rallies him on his devotion to sophia original: "σοφία" meaning wisdom.. The proposal of Pausanias to restrict the drinking, in view of yesterday's banquet, and that of Eryximachus to dismiss the flute-girl and amuse themselves by logoi original: "λόγοι" meaning words or speeches., are unanimously agreed to. Then Eryximachus propounds an idea of Phaedrus, that Eros is the best possible theme for encomia Formal speeches of praise., and suggests that each of the party in turn, commencing with Phaedrus, should now deliver an encomium on Eros. This suggestion is applauded by Socrates. Of the encomia, the most noteworthy were the following:—