Xenophon presents his perplexing account of the conspiracy of Kinadon and its suppression in the midst of his portrait of Spartan imperial power at its zenith in the Hellenika. While the political relevance of this conspiracy has long been assumed by scholars, the labyrinthine structure of Book III obscures the centrality of the account in Xenophon’s examination of Spartan imperialism and Spartan justice. Attention to the details in the conspiracy account and its place within the narrative reveals the source of (...) corruption and decline inherent in the Spartan regime: an unexamined, and fatally deficient, view of justice as a virtue. Imperialism is not the cause but a symptom of the corruption rooted in fundamental defects of the Spartan constitution. Thus understood, the account of Kinadon’s conspiracy in the Hellenika constitutes a compelling critique of Spartan justice and helps to establish the overarching Socratic character of Xenophon’s political thought. (shrink)

This volume, with contributions from scholars in political science, literature, and philosophy, examines the mutual influence of reason and religion at the time of the American Founding.

This volume, with contributions from scholars in political science, literature, and philosophy, examines the mutual influence of reason and religion at the time of the American Founding.

Introduction : opening reflections -- Situating the dialogue : Athenian competitions -- Setting the stage : sophistry versus philosophy -- The banquet begins : rule and the symposium -- Rival ways of life : kαλοκαγαθ̌̌̌̌̌̌iα and virtue -- Display speeches and the promise of wisdom -- Defense speeches and the Socratic way of life -- Socratic moderation in pursuit of the beautiful -- Refutations, accusations, and education -- Digression, reconciliation, and restoration -- Educating gentlemen and moderating erōs -- Performative rhetoric (...) and conjugal erotics -- Conclusion : Xenophon's Socrates and political philosophy. (shrink)