The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Aeschines explained
This chapter details the life and works of Aeschines, a devoted follower of Socrates, his alleged plagiarism, his poverty, his time in Sicily with Dionysius, and his reputation as a skilled orator.
What happens
This chapter details the life and works of Aeschines, a devoted follower of Socrates, his alleged plagiarism, his poverty, his time in Sicily with Dionysius, and his reputation as a skilled orator. It also lists the seven dialogues attributed to him and discusses the controversies surrounding their authenticity.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Monimus’s feigned madness and destruction of the money is the emotional and psychological peak because it dram…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Philosopher's Life and Character
Aeschines' poverty, devotion to Socrates, and struggles for recognition illustrate the challenges of a philosopher's life.
- Wisdom vs. Sophistry
Accusations of plagiarism and the selling of lectures blur the line between genuine Socratic wisdom and sophistry.
Characters to notice
- Aeschines
Son of Charinus the sausage-maker, devoted follower of Socrates, accused of appropriating Socratic dialogues, later a paid lecturer and speechwriter.
- Socrates
Praised Aeschines as the only one who knows how to pay proper respect; advised him to borrow from himself in poverty.
- Menedemus of Eretria
Calumniated Aeschines, claiming he stole dialogues from Xanthippe.
- Aristippus of Cyrene
Supported Aeschines in Sicily and later ridiculed the genuineness of his dialogues.
- Plato
Looked down upon Aeschines in Sicily; attributed Crito's advice to Socrates in prison to Aeschines according to Idomeneus.
Key passages
“the only one who knows how to pay us proper respect is the son of the sausage-seller.”
Socrates said that Aeschines was the only one who showed him and his companions proper respect.
Socrates' praise for Aeschines' devotion.
“The speeches of Aeschines which do not convince anyone.”
Timon criticized Aeschines' speeches as unconvincing.
Timon's disparaging remark about Aeschines' rhetorical skill.
“Oh! you thief; where did you get that?”
Aristippus accused Aeschines of stealing his dialogues when he recited them at Megara.
Aristippus' accusation of plagiarism.
