Dialog über die Liebe

Plutarch gives Plato's philosophy of love a new direction by applying its basic ideas to marital love and by defending the significance of sexuality for personality development and human bonding. His dialogue is structured artistically. It takes place during the festival of Eros in Thespiai, a background plot has the characteristics of a comedy, and the author himself plays a newly-wed young man. This work is presented here with a literary-oriented introduction, the Greek text has been checked carefully, the German translation aims to be readable and is supplemented by detailed notes. Four essays by various authors are included: one on the Eros cult in Thespiai, one on the philosophical aspects, one on the social background of Plutarch's thoughts on sexuality and marriage, and one on the Christian concept of love.