From the book
Symposium
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe words connect an age-structured historical practice with disputed claims about education.
- In the SymposiumPausanias distinguishes indiscriminate pursuit from a commitment to a person whose developing judgment can support a lasting common life.
- In this editionThe edition explicitly defines “pederasty” historically at 181c.
- A place to readDifferentiation within the practice and concern about undeveloped judgment.
Meaning
The words connect an age-structured historical practice with disputed claims about education. They should neither be sanitized into modern friendship nor treated as an unqualified prescription.
Use in the book
Pausanias distinguishes indiscriminate pursuit from a commitment to a person whose developing judgment can support a lasting common life. He refers to the approach of beard-growth, not to a stated modern legal age. His final criterion requires the younger party’s sincere aim of becoming better and the older party’s educational ability, though the example of deception distinguishes sincere belief from actual ability. Eryximachus uses paideia for musical formation, showing that education is not confined to the erotic institution. Diotima later describes shared speech and nurture as productive education, and Socrates’ refusal of Alcibiades’ bargain tests whether this benefit can be exchanged for bodily favors.
Places to read
- 181c–e2Differentiation within the practice and concern about undeveloped judgment.
- 184c–185b2The proposed educational condition.
- 187c–e2Education through right use of music.
- 192a–b2Aristophanes’ paired role-words.
- 209b–cEducational speech and shared nurture.
- 218c–219b2The proposed exchange is questioned.
Translation in this edition
The edition explicitly defines “pederasty” historically at 181c. Its Greek words for education are distinct from paidia, play, and should receive separate lookup routes even where their derivation is related.
παιδεία (paideia)
paideia — Education or cultivation, explicitly distinguished by Eryximachus from producing songs: it is the proper use of existing songs and metres.
- 187d — παιδεία. The educational use of musical material.
Read: Pederasty and education.
παιδεραστής (paiderastēs)
paiderastēs — A male lover of youths, one role within Aristophanes’ account of males derived from the original male kind.
- 192b — παιδεραστής. The adult role is paired with loving lovers.
Read: Pederasty and education.
παιδεραστία (paiderastia)
paiderastia — The historical courtship practice involving an older male lover and a younger male beloved, differentiated and defended by Pausanias under restrictive educational conditions.
- 181c — τῇ παιδεραστίᾳ. Pausanias distinguishes different motivations even within the practice.
Read: Pederasty and education.
παίδευσις (paideusis)
paideusis — Education as the learner’s sought acquisition and development in Pausanias’ proposed reciprocal arrangement.
- 184e — παίδευσιν. The younger party needs to acquire what contributes to education and wisdom.
Read: Pederasty and education.
φιλεραστής (philerastēs)
philerastēs — One who loves lovers, paired with the preceding role in Aristophanes’ explanation of kindred attraction.
- 192b — φιλεραστὴς. The compound names affection directed toward lovers.
Read: Pederasty and education.