Book description
After the execution of Socrates in 399 BC, a number of his followers
wrote dialogues featuring him as the protagonist and, in so doing,
transformed the great philosopher into a legendary figure. Xenophon's
portrait is the only one other than Plato's to survive, and while it
offers a very personal interpretation of Socratic thought, it also
reveals much about the man and his philosophical views. In 'Socrates'
Defence' Xenophon defends his mentor against charges of arrogance made
at his trial, while the 'Memoirs of Socrates' also starts with an
impassioned plea for the rehabilitation of a wronged reputation. Along
with 'The Estate-Manager', a practical economic treatise, and 'The
Dinner-Party', a sparkling exploration of love, Xenophon's dialogues
offer fascinating insights into the Socratic world and into the
intellectual atmosphere and daily life of ancient Greece.
Xenophon was born c. 430BC, an Athenian gentleman. Whilst fighting
for Greece, he was finally banished due to his devotion to Socrates
and support for Sparta. Settling near Olympia under Spartan
protection, he began to write his treatises, histories and biographies.
Hugh Tredinnick was Professor of Classics at Royal Holloway College
from 1946 - 1966. he has translated works by Aristotle. He dies in 1982.
Robin Waterfield is a self-employed writer with publications ranging
from academic articles to children's fiction. He has tranlsated
various Greek texts for Penguin.
