Instead of the simple, naked, self-introducing, conversation, which we read in the Menon, Hipparchus, Minos, &c. Sokrates recounts a scene and colloquy, which occurred when he went into the house of Dionysius the grammatist or school-master,[1] frequented by many elegant and high-born youths as pupils. Two of these youths were engaged in animated debate upon some geometrical or astronomical problem, in the presence of various spectators; and especially of two young men, rivals for the affection of one of them. Of these rivals, the one is a person devoted to music, letters, discourse, philosophy:--the other hates and despises these pursuits, devoting himself to gymnastic exercise, and bent on acquiring the maximum of athletic force.[2] It is much the same contrast as that between the brothers Amphion and Zethus in the Antiopê of Euripides--which is beautifully employed as an illustration by Plato in the Gorgias.[3] [Footnote 1: Plato, Erastæ, 132. [Greek: ei)s Dionusi/ou tou= grammatistou= ei)sê=lthon, kai\ ei)=don au)to/thi tô=n te ne/ôn tou\s e)pieikesta/tous dokou=ntas ei)=nai tê\n i)de/an kai\ pate/rôn eu)doki/môn kai\ tou/tôn e)rasta/s.]] [Footnote 2: Plato, Erast. 132 E.] [Footnote 3: Plato, Gorgias, 485-486. Compare Cicero De Oratore, ii. 37, 156.] [Side-note: Two rival Erastæ--one of them literary, devoted to philosophy--the other gymnastic, hating philosophy.] As soon as Sokrates begins his interrogatories, the two youths relinquish[4] their geometrical talk, and turn to him as attentive listeners. Their approach affects his emotions hardly less than those of the Erastes. He first enquires from the athletic Erastes, What is it that these two youths are so intently engaged upon? It must surely be something very fine, to judge by the eagerness which they display? How do you mean _fine_ (replies the athlete)? They are only prosing about astronomical matters--talking nonsense--philosophising! The literary rival, on the contrary, treats this athlete as unworthy of attention, speaks with enthusiastic admiration of philosophy, and declares that all those to whom it is repugnant are degraded specimens of humanity. [Footnote 4: The powerful sentiment of admiration ascribed to Sokrates in the presence of these beautiful youths deserves notice as a point in his character. Compare the beginning of the Charmidês and the Lysis.] [Side-note: Question put by Sokrates--What is philosophy? It is the perpetual accumulation of knowledge, so as to make the largest sum total.]