The Platonic Alcibiades I
The Dialogue and its Ancient Reception

This book re-examines the drama and philosophy of Alcibiades I through the eyes of those interpreters who cherished it most.

François Renaud (Author), Harold Tarrant (Author)

9780521199124, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 September 2015

306 pages, 3 tables
23.5 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.55 kg

'The book is furnished with an appropriate bibliography and two indices. It is a fine work of scholarship.' Peter Lautner, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Although it was influential for several hundred years after it first appeared, doubts about the authenticity of the Platonic Alcibiades I have unnecessarily impeded its interpretation ever since. It positions itself firmly within the Platonic and Socratic traditions, and should therefore be approached in the same way as most other Platonic dialogues. It paints a vivid portrait of a Socrates in his late thirties tackling the unrealistic ambitions of the youthful Alcibiades, urging him to come to know himself and to care for himself. François Renaud and Harold Tarrant re-examine the drama and philosophy of Alcibiades I with an eye on those interpreters who cherished it most. Modern scholars regularly play down one or more of the religious, erotic, philosophic or dramatic aspects of the dialogue, so ancient Platonist interpreters are given special consideration. This rich study will interest a wide range of readers in ancient philosophy.

Part I. The Dialogue: Introduction
1. The Alcibiades I and its issues
Part II. Reception in Antiquity: 2. Prereception and early reception
3. Neoplatonist reception to Proclus
4. Olympiodorus
Part III. The Dialogue Revisited: 5. Reflections on our ancient journey.

Subject Areas: Educational: drama studies [YQD], Education [JN], Theology [HRLB], Religion: general [HRA], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Philosophy [HP], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]