In 'The Symposium', Socrates and his companions attend a lively dinner party hosted by Kallias, where entertainment is provided by skilled performers. The guests engage in playful and paradoxical discussions about what they are most proud of, including Socrates' knowledge of match-making. Written by Xenophon in the late 360s B.C., the work explores themes of beauty and desire, wisdom, virtue, and laughter through a clever use of playfulness and seriousness appropriate to a symposium. Despite disputed claims of Xenophon's presence at the event, 'The Symposium' remains a fascinating and insightful window into ancient Greek aristocratic culture.
