The Shorter Socratic Writings

by Xenophon, Robert C. Bartlett (Translator)

This book presents translations of three dialogues Xenophon devoted to the life and thought of his teacher, Socrates. Each is accompanied by notes and an interpretative essay that will introduce new readers to Xenophon and foster further reflection in those familiar with his writing. "Apology of Socrates to the Jury" shows how Socrates conducted himself when he was tried on the capital charge of not believing in the city's gods and corrupting the young. Although Socrates did not secure his own acquittal, he profoundly impressed some listeners who then helped to shape the public perception of philosophy as a noble, if highly idiosyncratic, way of life. In "Oeconomicus," Xenophon relates the conversation Socrates had on the day he turned from the study of natural philosophy to that of moral and political matters. "Oeconomicus" is concerned most directly with the character and purpose of Socrates' political philosophy. Xenophon provides entertaining portraits of Socrates' circle of friends in the "Symposium." In the process, he conveys the source of every individual's pride in himself, thus defining for each a conception of human excellence or virtue. The dialogue concludes with Socrates' beautiful speech on love (eros) and its proper place in the good or happy life.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 361

About the author

Xenophon (Ancient Greek Ξενοφῶν, Modern Greek Ξενοφώντας; ca. 431 – 355 BC), son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, was a soldier, mercenary and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates. He is known for his writings on the history of his own times, preserving the sayings of Socrates, and the life of ancient Greece.

Historical and biographical works:
Anabasis (or The Persian Expedition)
Cyropaedia
Hellenica
Agesilaus

Socratic works and dialogues:
Memorabilia
Oeconomicus
Symposium
Apology
Hiero

Short treatises:
On Horsemanship
The Cavalry General
Hunting with Dogs
Ways and Means
Constitution of Sparta

Reviews

[Feliks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edifying! And edited and translated too, by the renowned Bartlett. Xenophon offers (what I feel) is a fine perspective of these famous ideas and events in the life of Socrates. Every thinking man should read either Plato's or Xenophon's account of the trial in Athens and the essay on human love. The essay on home economics, is of less utility today but fun for the 'personality' of Socrates which exudes from it. There's a bit of gabbiness in this middle section of the book but overall you can confound your friends after absorbing this tome, (I mean when you inform them that a great military leader was also a student of Socrates).

[Paul B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would only recommend this book to someone who brings a strong background understanding of Greek history or Socrates’ philosophy. I’m a retired philosophy professor, but not a specialist in ancient thought. The translations here are more readable than the older Loeb edition (long the standard for those of us who don’t read Greek). But as Bartlett’s introduction states, there are points at which staying close to Xenophon’s text does little to improve clarity.

Here are some thoughts from a non-specialist who has had the opportunity to discuss these texts with philosophers who have studied the Greeks at a high level. First, one school of thought takes Xenophon to be an important source on the life and teachings of Socrates. Authors of the interpretive essays here seem to be of that school. Another view is that Xenophon treats Socrates as a vehicle for promoting his own ideas about this crucial period in the history of Athens. This view would imply that you know something about the cast of characters in these dialogues (all real people). Bartlett’s essay on The Symposium does provide some of that, but fortunately you can also Google them.

Second, all three texts are characterized by odd transitions and difficult to understand shifts in focus. The interpretive essays smooth out these jumps, suggesting a reading that presents a coherent argument. While I appreciated this, I must say that I didn’t fully trust it. I’m not sure that the message they draw from the text is what either Socrates or Xenophon intended.

Finally, I’m bugged by the translation of kaloikagathoi as “gentleman”. (Note well that I don’t have the expertise to back this up, much less suggest an alternative.) It’s fairly standard, I think, and carries over from much older translations by British classists who would have had a vision of gentlemen from their own context. But again I don’t trust it. Maybe if I were more ambitious or a few decades younger I would learn enough Greek to satisfy my curiosity on this point.

Hopefully these comments are enough to intrigue those who would profit from this volume while scaring away anyone who would be bored poopless.

[Janice]

Providence College faculty reading group, Spring 2014

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

As presented by Xenophon, Socrates is a man who knows he is the smartest guy in the room but disguises it from those who don’t know him well. When asked at the symposium to join in telling the party what he is best at or proudest of, Socrates answers, not philosophy, but pimping, by which he seems to mean introducing people to one another. He always has more than one item on his agenda. When he discusses farming in the Oeconomicus, he is interested not only in how to run a farm but also in the nature of what it means to be a gentleman and the nature of goodness.
His interrogators seldom understand his irony. In the Apology, when he is asked why he chooses death over some of the other punishments he might ask for, he says that he wants to die before he has to put up with the pains of old age. Kill me now because old age sucks is not a serious argument, but Socrates is the only one in the room who seems to know that.
Bisexual eroticism also stands out in Xenophon’s version of the Symposium. Most of the guests, including Socrates, seem equally turned on by boys and girls, but in the end, everyone except Socrates goes home to play with their wives and girlfriends. Socrates is not anxious to go home to Xantippe, his difficult wife. He heads out into the night alone.
I wish I had read these pieces when I first encountered Socrates in Plato.

[Stephen Angliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent read from an historical perspective, but a rather dull read from a literary perspective. The three writings that make this compilation offer valuable glimpses into the psyche of Socrates and Greek life in the 5th century. However, the works lack heart and vivid character development. Knowing Socrates better, his life, motives, and friends, made this work valuable, and a vital part of my reading challenge.

[Yanko Enravota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Скучна и не предлага нищо особенно интересно, с изключение на няколко глави. Апологията, която е най-накрая, беше хубава. Другите съчинения на Ксенофонт изглеждат по-интересни.

[Karen Carlson]

Used for Catherine Project reading group: "Socrates' Accusers: Apology, Meno, and Xenophon's Symposium".
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