The Symposium
Xenophon's Symposium, written in the fourth century B.C., describes a dinner given in Athens by the wealthy Callias in honor of the young athlete Autolycus, with Socrates among the guests. Over wine, a Syracusan entertainer's troupe performs dances and acrobatics, and the guests take turns saying what they are most proud of, which leads to playful and serious talk about beauty, wealth, friendship and love, ending with Socrates' discourse on the superiority of love of the soul to love of the body. Lighter in tone than Plato's dialogue of the same name, it gives a lively, informal portrait of Socrates among friends. This translation is by Henry Graham Dakyns. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Symposium
The Symposium by Xenophon can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Symposium online?
Yes. The Symposium opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Symposium free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Symposium is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Symposium in the public domain?
Yes. The Symposium by Xenophon is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Henry Graham Dakyns. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Symposium?
About 1 h 32 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Symposium?
The Symposium by Xenophon is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
