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Narrative

Apollodorus and Aristodemus

Ἀπολλόδωρος (Apollodōros); Ἀριστόδημος (Aristodēmos); μαλακός (malakos)

These names identify different places in the chain of testimony.

From the book

Symposium

Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordThese names identify different places in the chain of testimony.
  • In the SymposiumApollodorus is devoted to Socrates and has rehearsed the account recently, but admits that he too has forgotten some of what he heard.
  • In this editionBurnet prints “Soft” at 173d from B.
  • A place to readThe two narrators’ roles, chronology, devotion, and personal manner are established.

Meaning

These names identify different places in the chain of testimony. Apollodorus tells the story now; Aristodemus was present at the dinner.

Use in the book

Apollodorus is devoted to Socrates and has rehearsed the account recently, but admits that he too has forgotten some of what he heard. His interlocutor challenges his belief that everyone except Socrates is wretched. Aristodemus is small, habitually barefoot, and described as exceptionally devoted to Socrates; he is not a disinterested recording device. His memory selects speeches and his sleep leaves the final argument incomplete. Their commitment makes the report possible while their limitations remain visible.

Places to read

  1. 172a–174a23The two narrators’ roles, chronology, devotion, and personal manner are established.
  2. 178a; 180c; 223b–dForgetting and sleep explain gaps in the transmitted account.

Translation in this edition

Burnet prints “Soft” at 173d from B. Other witnesses have a correction to “mad,” echoed by Apollodorus’ response about madness. The supplied reading should not be silently replaced with the more familiar nickname.

Ἀπολλόδωρος (Apollodōros)

Apollodōros — The present narrator, who repeats Aristodemus’ account but did not attend the dinner.

  • 172a — Ἀπολλόδωρος. Glaucon hails him on the road from Phaleron.

Read: Apollodorus and Aristodemus.

Ἀριστόδημος (Aristodēmos)

Aristodēmos — The guest whose recollections supply the main narrative.

  • 178a — Ἀριστόδημος. His incomplete memory is explicitly acknowledged.

Read: Apollodorus and Aristodemus.

μαλακός (malakos)

malakos — Soft, the nickname printed for Apollodorus, in tension with his severe speech.

  • 173d — μαλακὸς. The companion questions why Apollodorus bears this name.

Read: Apollodorus and Aristodemus.