From the book
Alcibiades I
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordΔακτυλιογλυφία is ring-engraving; δακτύλιος a ring.
- In Alcibiades IAt 128a Socrates introduces the ring as something belonging to a finger, preparing the distinction between a thing and what is its own.
- In this editionBurnet prints δακτυλιογλυφίᾳ from T; B has δακτυλογλυφίᾳ.
- A place to readThe ring is introduced as a possession of the finger.
Meaning
Δακτυλιογλυφία is ring-engraving; δακτύλιος a ring. The dative δακτυλιογλυφίᾳ specifies the craft by which the ring, rather than the hand or finger wearing it, is cared for.
Use in the book
At 128a Socrates introduces the ring as something belonging to a finger, preparing the distinction between a thing and what is its own. At 128c he pairs gymnastics for the hand with ring-engraving for what belongs to the hand. The example makes the distinction repeatable across body parts and possessions rather than resting on shoes alone.
At 128e Socrates asks whether one could know what craft improves rings while ignorant of a ring. Alcibiades agrees that this is impossible. The question supplies the parallel for identifying the craft that improves oneself: the proper object must first be understood. Nothing in the example implies that rings possess selves in the personal sense; “each thing itself” and its belongings are the relevant relations.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
Burnet prints δακτυλιογλυφίᾳ from T; B has δακτυλογλυφίᾳ. The extra syllable should not be silently removed from the attested headword when following this edition.
δακτυλιογλυφία / δακτύλιος
Attested: δακτύλιον (daktylion; 128a); δακτυλιογλυφίᾳ (daktylioglyphiai; 128c). At 128a: A ring belonging to a finger. At 128c: Ring-engraving as the craft tending the hand’s possession rather than the hand. Lexical identification: family label: δακτυλιογλυφία / δακτύλιος. See Ring-engraving.