From the book
Symposium
Plato · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe lexical connection is between erotic or friendly solidarity and forms of political rule.
- In the SymposiumPausanias says rulers have an interest in preventing strong friendships, partnerships and elevated aspirations among the ruled.
- In this editionThe contextual note explicitly supplies the historical qualification.
- A place to readThe survey of customs and the tyrannicide example.
Meaning
The lexical connection is between erotic or friendly solidarity and forms of political rule.
Use in the book
Pausanias says rulers have an interest in preventing strong friendships, partnerships and elevated aspirations among the ruled. He invokes Aristogiton and Harmodius as an Athenian confirmation, then contrasts greed among rulers with cowardice among subjects. His claim that the lovers’ act ended the tyranny is historically compressed. The supplied note distinguishes their killing of Hipparchus from the later end of Hippias’ rule. The lexicon should therefore report the political argument without certifying its summary as precise history.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
The contextual note explicitly supplies the historical qualification. Pausanias’ geographical and motivational generalizations remain his claims, not a modern description of whole peoples.
Ἀριστογείτων (Aristogeitōn)
Aristogeitōn — Aristogiton, the lover named in Pausanias’ political example.
- 182c — Ἀριστογείτονος. His love is paired with Harmodius’ friendship.
Read: Tyranny and friendship.
Ἁρμόδιος (Harmodios)
Harmodios — Harmodius, named as the friend whose firm attachment contributes to overthrow in Pausanias’ compressed account.
- 182c — Ἁρμοδίου. The friendship becomes politically consequential.
Read: Tyranny and friendship.
τυραννίς (tyrannis)
tyrannis — Tyranny, which Pausanias presents as threatened by strong friendships, elevated aspirations and shared pursuits.
- 182b — τὰς τυραννίδας. The proposed reason for hostile customs under foreign rule.
Read: Tyranny and friendship.