From the book
Alcibiades I
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Pericles and Xanthippus
Περικλέα τὸν Ξανθίππου (Periklea ton Xanthippou); Περικλῆς (Periklēs)
Pericles, identified as the son of Xanthippus, is Alcibiades’ guardian and his most important example of political power.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordPericles, identified as the son of Xanthippus, is Alcibiades’ guardian and his most important example of political power.
- In Alcibiades IPericles first figures as an advantage Alcibiades already possesses: a guardian who can act as he pleases in Athens, throughout Greece, and among powerful non-Greek peoples.
- In this editionAt 124c Burnet’s apparatus reports Proclus’ addition of θεῖος, “uncle,” after “your”; it is not in the printed dialogue.
- A place to readPericles’ guardianship and wide political influence underwrite Alcibiades’ pride.
Meaning
Pericles, identified as the son of Xanthippus, is Alcibiades’ guardian and his most important example of political power. Xanthippus appears here only as Pericles’ patronymic.
Use in the book
Pericles first figures as an advantage Alcibiades already possesses: a guardian who can act as he pleases in Athens, throughout Greece, and among powerful non-Greek peoples. Yet Alcibiades’ ambition, as Socrates presents it, is to receive honours surpassing even his guardian’s. Pericles thus supplies both support and the benchmark to be exceeded.
The later educational test separates political reputation from demonstrable transmission of understanding. Socrates allows that Pericles may be an exception to the general ignorance of politicians. Alcibiades defends him by naming Pythocleides, Anaxagoras and Damon as teachers or associates. Socrates does not simply deny those associations: he asks what pupils Pericles has himself made wise. The sons, Cleinias and Alcibiades supply no agreed example; neither can Alcibiades name another Athenian or foreigner, slave or free. Within this exchange, inability to produce such an example counts against the claim, although it is not an independent historical survey of Pericles’ educational effects.
At 122b the contrast sharpens: Pericles assigned the aged household slave Zopyrus as Alcibiades’ attendant, whereas the Persian heir receives four outstanding royal tutors. At 124c Socrates calls the god his own guardian, better and wiser than Pericles. The force of the comparison depends on keeping guardianship, political eminence and successful moral education distinct. Pericles’ initial power does not settle what Alcibiades most needs.
Places to read
- 104bPericles’ guardianship and wide political influence underwrite Alcibiades’ pride.
- 105bThe young man expects honours beyond those of Pericles.
- 118b–119a2Possible wisdom is tested by the production of a wise pupil.
- 122bPericles assigned Zopyrus.
- 124cSocrates contrasts the god’s guardianship with Pericles’.
Translation in this edition
At 124c Burnet’s apparatus reports Proclus’ addition of θεῖος, “uncle,” after “your”; it is not in the printed dialogue. Do not silently turn the accepted text’s guardian into a specified family relationship.
Ξάνθιππος
Attested: Ξανθίππου (xanthippou; 104b). Father of Pericles, named only as a patronymic in the dialogue. Lexical identification: lemma: Ξάνθιππος. See Pericles and Xanthippus.
Περικλῆς
Attested: Περικλέα τὸν Ξανθίππου (periklea ton xanthippou; 104b); Περικλῆς (periklēs; 105b). Pericles, Alcibiades’ guardian; at 104b he is identified through his father Xanthippus. Lexical identification: lemma: Περικλῆς. See Pericles and Xanthippus.
From the book
Alcibiades II
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Pericles
Περικλέα (Periklea); ἐπίτροπόν τε καὶ φίλον (epitropon te kai philon)
Pericles is Alcibiades’ own guardian and friend.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordPericles is Alcibiades’ own guardian and friend.
- In Alcibiades IISocrates imagines that Alcibiades comes to believe it better to kill Pericles and arrives at his house armed with a dagger.
- In this editionNote 18 gives the guardianship background from Alcibiades I 104b and 112c, including Cleinias’ death at Coronea.
- A place to readThe guardian and friend becomes the target of a carefully qualified hypothetical intention.
Meaning
Pericles is Alcibiades’ own guardian and friend. He appears as the intended victim in an explicitly hypothetical case, not as someone whom the dialogue alleges Alcibiades actually wished to kill. His personal closeness intensifies the example while recognition makes its logic work.
Use in the book
Socrates imagines that Alcibiades comes to believe it better to kill Pericles and arrives at his house armed with a dagger. He immediately disavows saying that Alcibiades is willing to do this. The case isolates a false judgement of the best: nothing prevents an ignorant person from mistaking the worst action for the best.
If Alcibiades sees Pericles but fails to recognize him, he will not attack, because he wishes to kill this particular man and nobody else. Repeated failure of recognition would repeatedly block the intended deed. A lack of particular knowledge can therefore protect the agent and victim when the governing judgement is corrupt.
The example does not recommend permanent ignorance of one’s guardian or imply that failed recognition supplies moral understanding. It supports a conditional comparison: for someone so disposed and holding such opinions, this ignorance is better than the corresponding ability to identify the target. The need for knowledge of the best remains, and the example immediately helps explain why other knowledge is not sufficient.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
Note 18 gives the guardianship background from Alcibiades I 104b and 112c, including Cleinias’ death at Coronea. The edition’s introduction notes that treating Pericles as alive points before his death in 429 BC, incompatible with the recent death of Archelaus in 399. The future doxei at 144a is translated as Burnet prints it, not as Buttmann’s proposed optative.