Agathon

Playwright

Born: c. 445 b. c.e.; place unknown Died: c. 400 b. c.e.; Macedonia Category: Theater and drama

Life Although none of the works of Agathon (AG-uh-thahn) are extant, he is described by Plato, Aristotle, and Aristophanes as a tragic playwright. Plato’s Symposion (388-368 b. c.e.; Symposium, 1701) depicts a celebration that takes place in Athens after the victory of one of Agathon’s plays in 416 b. c.e. Plato portrays Agathon as a gentleman, well versed in the duties of hospitality. In this dialogue, Agathon joins his guests in eulogizing the god Eros. In a speech that Socrates compares to those of the Sophist

The politician Alcibiades (left) interrupts the banquet of Agathon (right), as related in Plato's Symposium. (F. R. Niglutsch)

Gorgias, Agathon initially describes Eros as both the most beautiful and the most virtuous among gods. However, like many of Socrates’ interlocutors, after speaking with Socrates, Agathon admits to knowing nothing definite about the topic. In De poetica (c. 335-323 b. c.e.; Poetics, 1705), Aristotle says that Agathon’s tragedies are among the first to be composed of fictitious characters and events. He also attributes to Agathon the inclusion of choral songs that are not connected to the plots of his plays. In Aristophanes’ Thesmophoriazousai (411 b. c.e.; Thesmophoriazusae, 1837), Agathon is comedically depicted as delicate and effeminate. However, in Aristophanes’ Batrachoi (405 b. c.e.; The Frogs, 1780), Dionysus describes him as a decent poet who, in death, is lamented by his friends.

Influence Because none of his works survives, it is difficult to attribute to Agathon any lasting influence. However, Aristotle’s descriptions of his works suggest that he had an impact on the poetry of ancient Greece.

Further Reading

Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by S. H. Butcher. New York: Hill & Wang, 1989.

Plato. “Symposium.” In The Dialogues of Plato. New York: Bantam Classics, 1986.

Storey, Ian Christopher, and Arlene Allan. A Guide to Ancient Greek Drama. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2005.

Sara MacDonald

See also: Aristophanes; Aristotle; Literature; Performing Arts; Plato; Socrates; Sports and Entertainment.