Diotima

Diotima plays an important role in Plato's Symposium.

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In it, Socrates says that Diotima was a Mantinean seer and priestess that had, in his youth, taught him "the philosophy of love". He said that she had also succeeded in convincing the gods to postpone the pestilence that besieged Athens by ten years.

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Although many of the figures in Plato's writings are known to be historical figures, there is no compelling reason to believe that any of them are fictitious except for Diotima. There are no other references to her outside of this dialog.

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Plato was so impressed by the intelligence and wit of Aspasia, the mistress of Pericles, that he is thought to have based his character Diotima on her.

Related Topics:
Aspasia - Pericles

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Source:

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Navia, Luis E., Socrates, the man and his philosophy, pp. 30, 171. University Press of America ISBN 0-8191-4854-7.

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