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 work is a satirical dialogue depicting a comical lawsuit over the succession to a lucrative imperial chair of philosophy. The story is framed as a conversation between Pamphilus and Lycinus, in which Lycinus recounts a bizarre dispute he witnessed in the Agora between Diocles, a Peripatetic philosopher, and Bagoas, a eunuch. Diocles attacks Bagoas, arguing that as a eunuch, he should be disqualified from both holding a philosophical position and participating in public life. In response, Bagoas defends himself by arguing that philosophy is an examination of the soul, not the body, citing historical precedents of female philosophers and notable eunuchs. However, the debate takes a farcical turn when it is revealed that Bagoas was once accused of adultery, leading to an absurd discussion among the judges about subjecting him to a physical examination to prove his manhood. Ultimately, unable to reach a decision, the judges resolve to refer this ridiculous case to the emperor in Italy.