Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume 2

In this vivid Platonic dialogue, the seasoned philosopher Socrates finally turns his attention to the striking young Alcibiades, a man of striking beauty, wealth, and restless ambition on the brink of his civic career. The scene is set in the bustling streets of Athens, where the charismatic youth has just left the carefree world of adolescence and faces the responsibilities of public office. Socrates, long a silent observer, now steps forward to offer guidance, hoping to shape the raw talent into wise leadership.

The conversation unfolds through a series of sharp, Socratic questions that probe Alcibiades' motives, his education in letters, music, and athletics, and his conception of honor. As the young man articulates his lofty aspirations—to rival the great leaders of his age and even the monarchs of Persia—Socrates gently challenges him to examine what he truly knows and why he seeks power. Listeners are drawn into a timeless exploration of ambition, self‑knowledge, and the role of philosophy in public life.