Φαίδων vs Συμπόσιον: Which Should You Read?

Cover of Φαίδων Φαίδων Plato · 1713 ★★★★☆ 4.1 198 pages · ≈ 3 h 40 m · Demanding
“PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Phaedo, who is the narrator of the dialogue to Echecrates of Phlius.”

After an interval of some months or years, and at Phlius, a town of Peloponnesus, the tale of the last hours of Socrates is narrated to Echecrates and other Phliasians by Phaedo the 'beloved disciple.' The Dialogue…

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Cover of Συμπόσιον Συμπόσιον Plato · 1559 ★★★★☆ 4.1 125 pages · ≈ 2 h 19 m · Demanding

One of the most famous works of literature in the Western world, Plato's Symposium is also one of the most entertaining. The scene is a dinner party in Athens in 416 B.C. at which the guests - including the comic poet…

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The verdict

How to choose

Scores by source

ΦαίδωνΣυμπόσιον
Goodreads 4.1 (17232) 4.1 (94963)
Hardcover — 4.0 (1)

Reception

ΦαίδωνΣυμπόσιον
Ratings 17232 94963
Editions 291 351
Film adaptations 1 1
Want to read — 4
Written reviews 5 2
Wikipedia attention 5092 —
Pages 198 125

Side by side

ΦαίδωνΣυμπόσιονEnjoymentDifficultyInfluencePopularityClassic

Shared themes