Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 3. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1921.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This satirical dialogue humorously explores the true essence of philosophy and delivers a sharp critique of hypocritical false philosophers. The story begins when the ghosts of ancient philosophical founders, furious at being insulted, capture the protagonist Parrhesiades ("the frank speaker") and threaten to execute him. Parrhesiades protests his innocence and proposes a formal trial on the Acropolis, overseen by the personified figures of Philosophy and Truth. During the trial, he defends himself by arguing that his criticisms were never directed at the great masters themselves, but at the impostors who abuse their names for wealth and pleasure, successfully winning an acquittal. In the second half, Parrhesiades exposes the greedy pretenders through a bizarre fishing expedition from the Acropolis, using gold coins and figs as bait to catch the hypocrites. Ultimately, he is tasked with distinguishing the genuine philosophers from the fakes, concluding the work with a blend of brilliant comedy and biting satire.