Paideia and mastropeia: a political reading of Xen. Symp. IV, 56-64

The main focus of this paper is Socrates’ depiction of the art of μαστροπεία in chapter IV of Xenophon’s Symposium and its (possible) political implications. In the very first section of the paper, I will analyze some passages from this chapter, where Socrates explains what μαστροπεία precisely consists in (IV 57) and then ascribes to Antisthenes a similar art, that of προαγωγεία (IV 64). Secondly, the paper aims to deepen our understanding of these two arts and their distinction, by examining a number of passages both from other Socratic writings of Xenophon, such as the Oeconomicus and the Memorabilia, and from Plato’s Theaetetus. These texts provide parallel and complementary expositions of the two notions and their role in Socrates’ pedagogical activity – as well as a third τέχνη, that of προμνήστρια – which can help clarify Xenophon’s passage. The final section of the paper aims to show that Socrates' speech in Symposium VIII can be read as a political application of the art of μαστροπεία depicted in chapter IV, as shown particularly by the protreptic section addressed to Callias (VIII 39-40).