From the book
Alcibiades I
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Knucklebones
ἀστραγαλίζοις (astragalizois); παιδιὰν (paidian); παίζοις (paizois)
To play knucklebones is the concrete childhood activity in Socrates’ recollection; paidia and paizein name the broader category of play.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordTo play knucklebones is the concrete childhood activity in Socrates’ recollection; paidia and paizein name the broader category of play.
- In Alcibiades ISocrates says he often heard the young Alcibiades at school or elsewhere, during knucklebones or other games, loudly accusing another boy of acting unjustly.
- In this editionThe edition’s note tells a wagon anecdote from Plutarch.
- A place to readChildhood play supplies the remembered certainty that blocks a proposed route to learning.
Meaning
To play knucklebones is the concrete childhood activity in Socrates’ recollection; paidia and paizein name the broader category of play. The game is evidence about Alcibiades’ past confidence, not itself a definition of justice.
Use in the book
Socrates says he often heard the young Alcibiades at school or elsewhere, during knucklebones or other games, loudly accusing another boy of acting unjustly. The recollection answers the search for a time before he thought he knew justice. Alcibiades does not retreat into the claim that he was only playing: he insists that he clearly recognized being wronged. The example therefore links early social certainty with present political presumption. It does not prove that every complaint was false, but shows that Alcibiades cannot identify a prior recognition of ignorance from which deliberate discovery could begin.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
The edition’s note tells a wagon anecdote from Plutarch. That separate story is not part of Socrates’ recollection in this dialogue and is not needed to understand the logical function of the game.
ἀστραγαλίζω
Attested: ἀστραγαλίζοις (astragalizois; 110b). To play knucklebones, the childhood setting for Alcibiades’ confident accusations. Lexical identification: lemma: ἀστραγαλίζω. See Knucklebones.
παιδιά
Attested: παιδιὰν (paidian; 110b). Play or game, the broader class containing knucklebones. Lexical identification: lemma: παιδιά. See Knucklebones.
παίζω
Attested: παίζοις (paizois; 110b). To play, here in childhood games; elsewhere the related idea of joking colours the exchange. Lexical identification: lemma: παίζω. See Knucklebones.
Source note
The supplied edition, note 17 on 110b, cites Plutarch, Alcibiades 2.2–3 for the separate wagon story; that anecdote is not silently added to this dialogue’s recollection.
From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Playing knucklebones
ἀστραγαλίζω
astragalizōAstragalizō means play knucklebones.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAstragalizō means play knucklebones.
- In LysisThe participle ἀστραγαλίζοντας describes the boys whom Socrates finds after the sacrificial observances.
- Reading contextThe supplied description specifies play and equipment but makes no such wager explicit.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “all playing knucklebones and adorned.”
- English renderings
- Play knucklebones
Meaning
Play knucklebones.
Grammatical category: verb.
Use in the book
The participle ἀστραγαλίζοντας describes the boys whom Socrates finds after the sacrificial observances. Some play in the courtyard; others use large numbers of knucklebones for an odd-and-even game in a corner of the changing-room.
The verb locates the discussion in ordinary festive play and gives Lysis something to leave when he approaches Socrates. It is not itself a metaphor for argument or evidence of gambling for money. The supplied description specifies play and equipment but makes no such wager explicit.
Places to read
- 206eἀστραγαλίζοντάς τε δὴ καὶ κεκοσμημένους ἅπαντας — all playing knucklebones and adorned.
From the book
Lysis
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Knucklebone
ἀστράγαλος
astragalosAstragalos means knucklebone used as a gaming piece.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAstragalos means knucklebone used as a gaming piece.
- In LysisThe dative plural ἀστραγάλοις identifies the pieces used in the odd-and-even game.
- Reading contextThe plural does not here name a bodily joint in a medical example.
- A place to readThe Greek example means “they played odd and even with very many knucklebones.”
- English renderings
- Knucklebone used as a gaming piece
Meaning
Knucklebone used as a gaming piece.
Grammatical category: noun, masculine.
Use in the book
The dative plural ἀστραγάλοις identifies the pieces used in the odd-and-even game. They are numerous and drawn from small baskets or bags, while others stand around watching. The concrete equipment makes the opening scene precise and distinguishes it from wrestling, despite the venue. The plural does not here name a bodily joint in a medical example.
Places to read
- 206eἠρτίαζον ἀστραγάλοις παμπόλλοις — they played odd and even with very many knucklebones.