Aristodemus of Cydathenaeum (Greek: Ἀριστόδημος Κυδαθηναιεύς Aristódēmos Kudathēnaieύs; fl. c. 5th century BCE) was an ancient Athenian follower of the philosopher Socrates. He is best remembered as a character and narrative source in Plato's Symposium, and is also preserved in Xenophon's Memorabilia and a fragment from Aristophanes.
Life Aristodemus is described as a barefooted runt of low birth in Plato's Symposium,Plato, Symposium, 173b while Xenophon refers to him as Aristodemus the dwarf ("Ἀριστόδημον τὸν μικρόν Aristódēmon tón mikrón"). He was a citizen of the same deme as that of the comedian Aristophanes, with whom he appears in the Symposium. Although little is known of his life, his depiction as a member of an earlier generation of Socratic followers places his birth in the early-mid 5th century BCE,Debra Nails, The People of Plato, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2002, pp. 52–53 a theory supported by his apparent inclusion in Aristophanes' comedy BanquetersAristophanes, Banqueters, fr. 242 (K 231) of 427. Scholars assume that his death preceded the end of the 5th century, since he was not present during Socrates' final days in 399 despite being a devoted student.Xenophon, Memorabilia, 1.4.2–19
Thought and depiction in literature His own philosophy is obscure. It is best preserved through his depiction in Xenophon as an admirer of artists who neither prays nor sacrifices due to what he perceives as the gods' lack of need, leading some commentators to accredit Aristodemus with a potential brand of Socratic proto-atheism.Marie-Odile Goulet-Cazé, "Religion and the Early Cynics". The Cynics. Ed. R. B. Branham, M. Goulet-Cazé. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1996, p. 54 R.D.C. Robbins states that Aristodemus both despised the gods and ridiculed those who worshiped them.Xenophon, with Notes by R.D.C. Robbins (Librarian, Andover Theological Seminary) – Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates: With English Notes, Critical and Explanatory, the Prolegomena of Kühner, Wiggers' Life of Socrates, Etc. (c.f. CHAPTER IV – p.24) Harper & brothers, 1848 [Retrieved 27 March 2015]
Aristodemus' representation in Plato's Symposium has given rise to debate, as scholars have interpreted his character as hubristic,Leo Strauss, Plato's Symposium. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001, p. 21 or instead humble and pathetic.Allan Bloom, "The Ladder of Love", in Seth Benardete, Plato's Symposium. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993, p. 76 Although the drinking party depicted in the Symposium involved each guest discoursing on the nature of Eros, Aristodemus' own speech was either passed over unreported or never given, perhaps due to his perceived insignificance.Plato, Symposium, 180c
Generally believed to be the follower of Socrates,Thomas L. Cooksey, Plato's Symposium: A Reader's Guide. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2010, p. 34 the Aristodemus mentioned in the Banqueters is mocked for his sexual promiscuity.
See also List of speakers in Plato's dialogues
References