From the book
Symposium
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe relationship’s roles are part of Phaedrus’ argument, not left implicit.
- In the SymposiumPhaedrus rejects Aeschylus’ presentation of Achilles as lover.
- In this editionThe edition’s notes identify the Homeric and Aeschylean references.
- A place to readThe roles, foreknowledge and greater divine reward.
Meaning
The relationship’s roles are part of Phaedrus’ argument, not left implicit.
Use in the book
Phaedrus rejects Aeschylus’ presentation of Achilles as lover. He argues from Achilles’ greater beauty, lack of beard and younger age that Achilles is the beloved. Forewarned that killing Hector will bring his own death, Achilles nevertheless avenges Patroclus and chooses to die after him. The gods reward this reciprocation more than Alcestis’ sacrifice, although the inspired lover is described as more divine. Diotima later explains Achilles’ choice through the prospect of an immortal memory of virtue.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
The edition’s notes identify the Homeric and Aeschylean references. This is a local interpretation debated inside Phaedrus’ speech, not a claim that the Homeric poems themselves explicitly present the exact relationship vocabulary used here.
Ἀχιλλεύς (Achilleus)
Achilleus — Achilles, assigned the beloved’s role by Phaedrus and honored for knowingly choosing death after Patroclus.
- 179e — Ἀχιλλέα. Thetis’ son is contrasted with Orpheus.
- 208d — Ἀχιλλέα. Diotima reuses the sacrifice.
Read: Achilles and Patroclus.
Πάτροκλος (Patroklos)
Patroklos — Patroclus, assigned the lover’s role in Phaedrus’ interpretation.
- 179e — τῷ ἐραστῇ Πατρόκλῳ. The explicit assignment of the role.
- 208d — Πατρόκλῳ. The person after whom Achilles dies.
Read: Achilles and Patroclus.