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Socrates and Theramenes
https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2024-2-61-76
Abstract
In Diodorus’ work, there is a piece of evidence (dating to 404–403 B.C.), which has no corroborating parallels in other sources and so is often considered not authentic. According to that author, when in Athens during the period of the Thirty regime a conflict occurred between Critias, the leader of extreme oligarchs, and Theramenes, the leader of moderate ones, and the latter was executed as a result of that conflict, Socrates tried (although without success) to come to his aid. There are no other data on friendly relations between the philosopher and the politician in the sources. The article considers the question why in one version of the narrative tradition their names appear to be brought together. Theramenes was conferred extraordinarily contradictory evaluations by ancient authors; he was frequently perceived as an unprincipled person, what is, however, unjustified. The most weighed judgment on him can be found in the Constitution of Athens by Aristotle who emphasizes the main feature in Theramenes’ political position: he was, first of all, a champion of lawfulness, which was constantly violated in late 5th century B.C. by both democrats and oligarchs. But an analogous commitment to rigorous observance of laws was characteristic also of Socrates.
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About the Author
I. E. SurikovRussian Federation
Igor E. Surikov, Dr. of Sci. (History), professor
32a, Leninsky Av., Moscow, 119334
6, Miusskaya Sq., Moscow, 125047
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Supplementary files
For citation: Surikov I.E. Socrates and Theramenes. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2024;(2):61-76. https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2024-2-61-76
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