The Symposium of Plato  (2nd Edition)

This dialogue is one of the literary masterpieces of the world and a philosophic treatise which has few equals.  In this translation by Floyer Sydenham and extensively revised by Thomas Taylor the profundities of Plato’s mystical system are faithfully transmitted to the reader.  The student will find a treasury of notes concerning the background to the dialogue as well as the mystical symbolism hidden within it.  No translator so deeply imbibed the spirit of Plato as did Thomas Taylor, and his beautiful Poetical Paraphrase of  Diotima’s Speech is included here.  Plotinus’ Ennead (III, 5) On Love, translated by Stephen Mackenna is included, as are four modern essays which it is hoped will throw further light upon this all important dialogue: Tim Addey contributes Diotima’s Continuum of Love, The Place of the Symposium in the Writings of Plato, and Socrates the Lover, while Guy Wyndham-Jones  contributes The Beauty of Truth.