What are Xenophon's Socratic dialogues?

Xenophon's Memorabilia is a lengthiest and most famous collection of Socratic writings, dating around 371 BCE. Written by Xenophon, a student of Socrates, it serves as an apologia or defense of Socrates by presenting edifying examples of his conversations, activities, and commentary. The work was especially influential in later Cynic and Stoic philosophy.

What we know

• The Memorabilia is a collection of Socratic dialogues written by Xenophon around 371 BCE. [1, 2]
• It is the lengthiest and most famous of Xenophon's Socratic writings and functions as a defense of Socrates. [2]
• The work provides examples of Socrates' conversations and activities, supplemented by Xenophon's own commentary. [2]
• Memorabilia was particularly influential on the development of Cynic and later Stoic philosophy. [2]

Where to go next

• whoWho was the historical Socrates?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the Socratic problem in history?
• compared withHow do Plato's dialogues compare to Xenophon's?
• what followedWhat influence did Memorabilia have on Stoic philosophy?
• a case in pointHow did Aristophanes satirize Socrates?
• an unexpected connectionHow did ancient comedy shape our view of Socrates?Plays like Aristophanes's The Clouds serve as a primary, albeit satirical, source alongside serious philosophical dialogues for reconstructing the life of Socrates.

Sources

• [1]Memorabilia (Wikidata Q1373343) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Memorabilia (Xenophon) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Socratic problem · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Pre-Socratic philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Socrates · CC BY-SA 4.0