From the book
Empedocles’ The Testimonia, Volume II
Empedocles of Acragas · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordPolitikous is an adjectival accusative with its noun left understood; the translation supplies “political speeches.”
- In this workThe brief catalogue at VIII 58 attributes political speeches alongside tragedies.
- In this editionBecause politikous lacks an explicit noun in the displayed Greek, “speeches” is an interpretive completion.
- A place to readBriefly lists political compositions beside tragedies.
Meaning
Politikous is an adjectival accusative with its noun left understood; the translation supplies “political speeches.” Politeia in the civic anecdotes denotes political life or conduct, a distinct sense from a work-title.
Use in the book
The brief catalogue at VIII 58 attributes political speeches alongside tragedies. No title, text, audience, or occasion is given. It is therefore a narrow but significant bibliographical claim, especially beside the reports that Empedocles was an excellent orator and the first mover of rhetoric. The civic narratives present situations in which speech is decisive: prosecuting the dinner-party officials, arguing against Acron’s monument, and persuading the community to political equality. Those anecdotes do not identify themselves as extracts from the attributed political writings. Linking them can clarify the public image of Empedocles, but cannot recover the speeches or verify their authorship. Timaeus’ contrast between political conduct and poetic self-praise also depends on keeping action and literary persona distinguishable.
Places to read
- A 1 §§ 56–58 (biography)2Diogenes Laertius VIII 58. Briefly lists political compositions beside tragedies.
- A 1 §§ 64–66 (biography)2Diogenes Laertius VIII 64–66, reporting Timaeus. Presents courtroom and civic argument, then contrasts conduct with poetry.
Translation in this edition
Because politikous lacks an explicit noun in the displayed Greek, “speeches” is an interpretive completion. The entry retains the edition’s translation while avoiding a claim that an independently titled collection is attested.