Plato Phaedo
Translated with Notes by
David Gallop
CLARENDON PLATO SERIES General Editor: M.J.Woods
PLATO Phaedo
Translated with Notes by
DAVID GALLOP
PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY TRENT UNIVERSITY, ONTARIO
CLARENDON PRESS • OXFORD
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PREFACE
This book is designed for philosophical study of the Phaedo. Like other volumes in the present series, it is intended primarily for those who do not read Greek. The translation is based on J. Burnet's Oxford Classical Text (1900), except where indicated in the Notes, or Notes on the Text and Translation. Notes in the latter series are referred to by indices in the translation, and deal with linguistic and textual problems. They are inessential for grasp of the philosophical issues which occupy the main Notes.
The Phaedo is one of the most frequently translated, edited, and discussed of all Plato's dialogues. To take full account of the literature in English alone would need a book far larger than this one. As far as space allows, however, I have used existing studies as a spring-board for my own comments, and as a guide on problems that remain unsolved or lie beyond the scope of this work.
Earlier translations and editions have been referred to by author's name only. Abbreviations have been used for the titles of certain other books, and for most periodicals. A key to these will be found in the list of Works and Periodicals Cited. The Bibliography contains only a minimum of works necessary for detailed study.
The numbers and letters in the margin of the translation are the Stephanus page numbers and section markings used in most modern editions of Plato's works. The marginal line numbers, and the line numbers used for references in the Notes, are those of Burnet's text. They correspond closely, but not always exactly, with the division of lines in the translation. Cross-references of the form 'see on 64c2—9' are to the main Notes. Those of the form 'see note 27' are to the Notes on the Text and Translation. Parenthetical references in the form '(b3—cl)' are to places within the passage covered by the note in which they appear.
I have made frequent use of other translations, and have taken ideas from them wherever they served my purpose. This has been to render Plato's text as accurately and naturally as possible. When, as often, these criteria conflict, I have aimed for accuracy where philosophical questions are at stake. I have also tried, as far as possible, to avoid prejudging questions of interpretation in the translation itself. The intrusive 'he said', which is often awkward in translation, has frequently been omitted.
My cordial thanks are due to Mr. M. J. Woods, the General Editor of this series, for his advice and encouragement, and for the many improvements which his penetrating comments have led me to make. Professor T. M. Robinson kindly read a draft of the translation and made many valuable suggestions. I am indebted to members of the University of Toronto Ancient Philosophy seminar, whose discussions advanced my understanding of the dialogue; to Professors G. Vlastos and M. T. Thornton for correspondence; to Professor J. L. Ackrill and Mr. M. D. Reeve for helpful discussion; to Professor C. V. Boundas for advice on individual passages; and to many other friends and colleagues, who have contributed more often, and in more ways, than brief acknowledgements can convey.
The manuscript was prepared with the help of Mrs. Gillian Sparrow, for whose assiduous and careful typing I am most grateful, and Mr. K. E. Inwood, whose checking of the final draft saved me from many mistakes.
I am also grateful to Trent University for leaves of absence in 1970 and 1973—4, during which much of the book was written, and to the Canada Council and Nuffield Foundation for generous support. Finally, it is a pleasure to thank the Principal and Fellows of Brasenose College, Oxford, for their kindness in electing me to Senior Common Room membership in 1973—4, and for the hospitality of the College on several occasions while the work was in progress.
Trent University, DAVID GALLOP
Peterborough,
Ontario
In the 1983 impression some typographical errors have been corrected and a supplement added to the Bibliography.
CONTENTS
TRANSLATION j
NOTES 74
NOTES ON THE TEXT AND TRANSLATION 226
SELECT AND ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES 239
ABBREVIATIONS 242
INDEX 244
PHAEDO
Echecrates. Were you there with Socrates yourself, Phaedo, on 57 the day he drank the poison in the prison, or did you hear of it from someone else?
Phaedo. I was there myself, Echecrates.
Echecrates. Then what was it that he said before his death? And 5 how did he meet his end? I'd like to hear about it. You see, hardly anyone from Phlius goes to stay at Athens nowadays, and no visitor has come from there for a long time who could give us any definite b report of these events, beyond the fact that he died by drinking poison; there was nothing more they could tell us.
Phaedo. Didn't you even learn, then, about how the trial went? 58 Echecrates. Yes, someone did report that to us, and we were surprised that it was evidently long after it was over that he died. Why was that, Phaedo? 5
Phaedo. It was chance in his case, Echecrates: it just chanced that on the day before the trial the stern of the ship that Athenians send to Delos had been wreathed. Echecrates. What ship is that?