From the book
Symposium
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe locations differentiate mythic outcomes rather than form one systematic map of the afterlife.
- In the SymposiumPhaedrus makes Alcestis’ return, Orpheus’ failure and Achilles’ blessed destination evidence of divine judgments on devotion.
- In this editionThe English keeps the mythic place-names.
- A place to readContrasting destinations and rewards.
Meaning
The locations differentiate mythic outcomes rather than form one systematic map of the afterlife.
Use in the book
Phaedrus makes Alcestis’ return, Orpheus’ failure and Achilles’ blessed destination evidence of divine judgments on devotion. Aristophanes later imagines Hephaestus making lovers one not only throughout life but in Hades after death. The wish for persistent union is clear, but the passage remains a hypothetical offer. These accounts should not be identified without argument with Diotima’s later explanation of mortal continuity through generation.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
The English keeps the mythic place-names. The normalized phrase-headword for the islands is distinguished from the exact accusative phrase supplied as its attestation.
Ἅιδης (Haidēs)
Haidēs — Hades, the realm from which Alcestis is restored, from which Orpheus is sent away unsuccessful, and in which the imagined fused lovers would remain one.
μακάρων νῆσοι (makarōn nēsoi)
makarōn nēsoi — Isles of the Blessed, the specially honored destination assigned to Achilles in Phaedrus’ account; a normalized phrase-headword.
- 179e — εἰς μακάρων νήσους. Achilles is sent to the blessed islands.