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Socrates in conversation with Diotima by Franz Caucig  (1755–1828)

Socrates’ Philosophy of Love Inspired by Diotima Princess, Priestess and Philosopher

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Symposium, Plato’s philosophical text dated at circa 385 to 370 BC, depicts a friendly contest of speeches delivered by a group of notable men attending a banquet. During the discussion, Socrates mentions that, in his youth, he was taught ‘the philosophy of love’ by a woman named Diotima, a priestess from Mantinea. Socrates also claims that Diotima delayed the Plague of Athens, an epidemic that devastated the city-state of Athens in ancient Greece during the second year of the Peloponnesian War (430 BC). Apart from these little facts, not much is mentioned about Diotima as a person.

The Symposium (Second Version) by Anselm Feuerbach  (1829–1880)(Public Domain)

The Symposium (Second Version) by Anselm Feuerbach  (1829–1880)(Public Domain)

Diotima, Originator of Platonic Love

Despite these little bits of information, Diotima played an important role in the Symposium without even having attended the banquet. She taught Socrates the concept of love as a means of ascent to contemplation of the divine, arguing that the goal of love is immortality, either through the creation of children or beautiful things. The concept of Platonic love, an affection that is not based in bodily pleasure, which has been familiar to us for thousands of years, was derived from this argument.

Although this concept ended up being named after Plato instead of Diotima, there was never any question about Diotima’s existence in the ancient world. A first century bronze relief found in Pompeii depicts Diotima and Socrates with the figure of Eros between the two. This relief shows her in the middle of an animated discourse while Socrates listens attentively. Writings from the second through the fifth centuries AD also referred to Diotima as a real person. However, centuries later Diotima’s existence became the subject of much debate.

Catholic Priest Who Doubted Women Philosophers

The suggestion that Diotima was a fictional creation was introduced in 1485 with the publication of Oratio Septima II (The Seventh Address II) written by Maresilio Ficino (1433 - 1499), an Italian scholar and Catholic priest who was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance. Ficino’s remark on the absurdity of considering that a woman could be a philosopher, effectively took away Diotima’s voice and identity, reducing the priestess to a fictional character and she retained the status of this doctrine for the next 500 years.

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Martini Fisher is a Mythographer and author of many books, including "Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”  | Check out MartiniFisher.com

Top Image: Socrates in conversation with Diotima by Franz Caucig  (1755–1828) ( National Gallery of Slovenia) (Public Domain)

By Martini Fisher

 
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Martini

Martini Fisher comes from a family of history and culture buffs. She graduated from Macquarie University, Australia, with a degree in Ancient History. Although her interest in history is diverse, Martini is especially interested in  mythologies, folklores and ancient funerary... Read More

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