The Republic · Character
Cephalus
An aged metic garlanded from sacrifice, who greets Socrates with talk of old age and the fading of bodily pleasures.
major
First appearance: persons of the dialogue
As a major figure in The Republic, Cephalus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Elderly host; discusses the comforts of wealth and old age, and gives the first definition of justice as truth-telling and debt-paying.
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Cephalus is the wealthy old man whose house hosts the conversation, and his contentment rests on a lifetime of paying debts and telling the truth. He speaks movingly of how conversation replaces desire as the body…
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The fuller portrait of Cephalus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Cephalus in persons of the dialogueCharacter Web
9 connectionsA slice of how Cephalus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Social
- Family
Character groups
- Primary Philosophical Interlocutors
- Protagonist
- Silent or Minor Attendees
+4 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerRelationships
- Socrates
social · positive
Cephalus is the elderly host who begins the conversation with Socrates about old age and… How this plays out →
- Polemarchus
family · positive
- Thrasymachus
social · ambivalent
- Cleitophon
social · ambivalent
- Glaucon
social · positive
- Adeimantus
social · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Cephalus in persons of the dialogueIn the story
Cephalus appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Cephalus unlock in the free preview.
See Cephalus in persons of the dialogue