Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 5. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1936 (printing).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This satirical dialogue exposes the hypocrisy of "pseudo-philosophers" who impersonate true philosophers for personal gain, depicting their judgment by the gods. The story begins with the personified "Philosophia" (Philosophy) fleeing to Apollo and Zeus in tears, complaining of the unjust treatment she has suffered among humans. She recounts her arduous journey from India to Greece and fiercely denounces the immoral impostors, particularly those pretending to be Cynic philosophers to lead lazy lives. Deeply concerned, Zeus dispatches Hermes and Heracles, along with Philosophia, to the mortal world to punish these frauds. Descending to Thrace, the divine delegation hunts down the runaway impostors, exposes them as runaway slaves and low-born laborers, and ultimately sentences them to return to their original menial occupations.