From the book
Symposium
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordThe passage uses two related but distinct mythic comparisons: an attempted ascent and a precedent for divine annihilation.
- In the SymposiumThe original humans’ strength and pride lead them to attack the gods.
- In this editionThe edition identifies the Odyssey passage for the two named brothers.
- A place to readAttack, divine dilemma and the device of cutting.
Meaning
The passage uses two related but distinct mythic comparisons: an attempted ascent and a precedent for divine annihilation.
Use in the book
The original humans’ strength and pride lead them to attack the gods. Aristophanes aligns this with the Homeric story of Ephialtes and Otus. When the gods deliberate, destroying the humans like the Giants would also destroy the honors and sacrifices the gods receive. Zeus therefore devises division rather than annihilation. The comic dependence of the gods on worship helps explain the shape of the punishment.
Places to read
- 190b–dAttack, divine dilemma and the device of cutting.
Translation in this edition
The edition identifies the Odyssey passage for the two named brothers. It does not equate them with all the Giants, and this entry keeps the comparisons distinct.
γίγας (gigas)
gigas — A Giant; the destruction of Giants by thunderbolts supplies a possible but rejected solution to the human revolt.
- 190c — τοὺς γίγαντας. Zeus cannot simply destroy humanity as the Giants were destroyed, because human worship would disappear.
Ἐφιάλτης (Ephialtēs)
Ephialtēs — Ephialtes, named with Otus as a poetic parallel for the original humans’ attempted assault on heaven.
- 190b — Ἐφιάλτου τε καὶ Ὤτου. The paired allusion to Homer.
Ὦτος (Ōtos)
Ōtos — Otus, the companion of Ephialtes in the cited attempt to reach the gods.
- 190b — Ὤτου. Second name in the pair.