SAPERE VII: On the God of Socrates

On the God of Socrates, introduced, translated and provided with interpretative essays by Matthias Baltes / Marie-Luise Lakmann / John M. Dillon / Pierluigi Donini / Ralph Häfner / Lenka Karfiková, Darmstadt 2004.

The writing of the rhetor and Platonic philosopher Apuleius of Madaura (North Africa, 2nd century AD) is a publicly delivered doctrinal lecture in which the author explores the much-negotiated question in antiquity of what the so-called Daimonion is, to which Socrates so frequently refers in the Platonic dialogues and in the writings of Xenophon. In order to answer this question comprehensively, Apuleius designs an almost complete system of Middle Platonic theology. Central to this is the doctrine of the demons; for Apuleius wants to prove that the Daimonion is the personal demon (guardian spirit) of Socrates. The writing represents the most detailed and richest document on the Middle Platonists' doctrine of demons. As a doctrinal lecture, it is at the same time a spectacular testimony to the oratory of the 2nd century AD.

Reviews:

• H. FLÜCKINGER, Schweizerischer Altphilologenverband, Bulletin 65 (April 2005), 41f.
• J. HILTON, Gnomon 78 (2006), 646-649.
• New Testament Abstracts 49/1 (2005), 203.
• B. ROCHETTE, L’Antiquité Classique 74 (2005), 356f.
• R. TURCAN, Latomus LXVI (2007), 736f.

Baltes (†), Matthias; Lakmann, Marie-Luise; Dillon, John M.; Donini, Pierluigi; Häfner, Ralph; Karfíková, Lenka
Sammelband; Deutsch, Latein
Published: 2004
Publisher: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft Darmstadt: Darmstadt
ISBN: 3-534-15573-4