# Dialogues — Character guide

> Key figures in Dialogues by Plato.

- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/socrates.md): Central figure in most dialogues; drives philosophical inquiry through questioning.
- [Plato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/plato.md): Author and narrator; appears as a character in some dialogues.
- [Glaucon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/glaucon.md): Brother of Plato and key interlocutor in the Republic.
- [Adeimantus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/adeimantus.md): Brother of Plato and participant in the Republic.
- [Phaedrus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/phaedrus.md): Lover of rhetoric and Socrates' companion in the Phaedrus.
- [Callicles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/callicles.md): Brash Athenian who champions might-makes-right in Gorgias.
- [Protagoras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/protagoras.md): Famous sophist who debates virtue with Socrates.
- [Gorgias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/gorgias.md): Renowned rhetorician from Leontini, featured in the Gorgias.
- [Thrasymachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/thrasymachus.md): Sophist who argues that justice is the advantage of the stronger.
- [Crito](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/crito.md): Loyal friend of Socrates who offers to help him escape prison.
- [Phaedo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/phaedo.md): Narrator of the Phaedo and devoted follower of Socrates.
- [Theaetetus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/theaetetus.md): Young mathematician who defines knowledge in the Theaetetus.
- [Theodorus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/theodorus.md): Cyrenean mathematician and teacher of Theaetetus.
- [Parmenides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/parmenides.md): Eleatic philosopher who instructs a young Socrates.
- [Timaeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/timaeus.md): Locrian philosopher who narrates the creation myth in Timaeus.
- [Critias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/critias.md): Athenian politician and narrator of the story of Atlantis.
- [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/alcibiades.md): Charismatic Athenian general and former student of Socrates.
- [Aristophanes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/aristophanes.md): Comic playwright who gives a speech on love in the Symposium.
- [Eryximachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/eryximachus.md): Physician who speaks about love in the Symposium.
- [Pausanias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/pausanias.md): Lover of Agathon who gives a speech on love in the Symposium.
- [Meno](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/meno.md): Thessalian nobleman who questions Socrates about virtue.
- [Euthyphro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/euthyphro.md): Religious expert who Socrates questions about piety.
- [Ion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/ion.md): Rhapsode who performs Homer and discusses inspiration.
- [Hippias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/hippias.md): Polymathic sophist from Elis who debates with Socrates.
- [Euthydemus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/euthydemus.md): Sophist who uses eristic arguments in the Euthydemus.
- [Dionysodorus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/dionysodorus.md): Sophist and brother of Euthydemus, skilled in verbal trickery.
- [Ctesippus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/ctesippus.md): Young friend of Socrates who challenges the sophists.
- [Cleinias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cleinias.md): Young student in the Euthydemus and a main speaker in the Laws.
- [Cratylus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cratylus.md): Heraclitean philosopher who argues names are natural.
- [Hermogenes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/hermogenes.md): Brother of Callias who debates naming with Socrates.
- [Lysimachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/lysimachus.md): Father of Aristides who seeks advice on education.
- [Melesias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/melesias.md): Father of Thucydides who joins Lysimachus in seeking advice.
- [Nicias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/nicias.md): Athenian general who discusses courage in the Laches.
- [Laches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/laches.md): Athenian general who defines courage in the Laches.
- [Charmides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/charmides.md): Young Athenian known for beauty and temperance.
- [Critias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/critias_charmides.md): Uncle of Plato and participant in the Charmides and Protagoras.
- [Chaerephon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/chaerephon.md): Loyal friend of Socrates who consulted the Delphic oracle.
- [Apollodorus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/apollodorus.md): Devoted follower of Socrates who narrates the Symposium.
- [Simmias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/simmias.md): Theban philosopher who debates the soul's immortality.
- [Cebes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cebes.md): Theban philosopher and companion of Simmias in the Phaedo.
- [Echecrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/echecrates.md): Pythagorean philosopher who hears the account of Socrates' death.
- [Xenophon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/xenophon.md): Historian and soldier who wrote about Socrates.
- [Aristotle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/aristotle.md): Philosopher frequently cited in the introductory material.
- [Homer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/homer.md): Epic poet frequently quoted and discussed by Socrates.
- [Hesiod](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/hesiod.md): Poet and contemporary of Homer, cited in dialogues.
- [Pindar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/pindar.md): Lyric poet whose works are referenced in the dialogues.
- [Anaxagoras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/anaxagoras.md): Pre-Socratic philosopher whose ideas are discussed by Socrates.
- [Heracleitus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/heraclitus.md): Pre-Socratic philosopher known for the doctrine of flux.
- [Empedocles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/empedocles.md): Pre-Socratic philosopher and poet cited in the dialogues.
- [Democritus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/democritus.md): Atomist philosopher mentioned in the introductory material.
- [Protagoras](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/protagoras_old.md): Famous sophist who debates virtue with Socrates.
- [Prodicus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/prodicus.md): Sophist known for precise linguistic distinctions.
- [Hippocrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/hippocrates.md): Young Athenian who wishes to study with Protagoras.
- [Polus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/polus.md): Young rhetorician who argues with Socrates in the Gorgias.
- [Cephalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cepalus.md): Wealthy elder who discusses justice in Republic Book I.
- [Polemarchus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/polemarchus.md): Son of Cephalus who inherits the discussion on justice.
- [Cleitophon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cleitophon.md): Minor interlocutor who challenges Socrates in the Republic.
- [Thrasymachus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/thrasymachus_republic.md): Sophist who argues that justice is the advantage of the stronger.
- [Glaucon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/glaucon_republic.md): Brother of Plato and key interlocutor in the Republic.
- [Adeimantus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/adeimantus_republic.md): Brother of Plato and participant in the Republic.
- [Protarchus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/protarchus.md): Main interlocutor in the Philebus, defending pleasure.
- [Philebus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/philebus.md): Hedonist whose views are debated in the Philebus.
- [Athenian Stranger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/the_athenian_stranger.md): Main speaker in the Laws and Sophist, possibly Socrates.
- [Cleinias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cleinias_laws.md): Cretan interlocutor and main legislator in the Laws.
- [Euclid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/euclid.md): Megarian philosopher who narrates the Theaetetus.
- [Terpsion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/terpsion.md): Friend of Euclid who hears the Theaetetus narrative.
- [Diotima](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/diotima.md): Priestess who teaches Socrates about love in the Symposium.
- [Aristodemus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/aristodemus.md): Follower of Socrates who attends the Symposium.
- [Menexenus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/menexenus.md): Young friend of Socrates featured in the Menexenus and Lysis.
- [Lysis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/lysis.md): Young boy who discusses friendship with Socrates.
- [Hippothales](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/hippothales.md): Lover of Lysis who sets up the conversation.
- [Anytus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/anytus.md): Powerful Athenian who prosecutes Socrates.
- [Lycon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/lycon.md): One of Socrates' accusers in the Apology.
- [Xanthippe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/xanthippe.md): Socrates' wife, mentioned in the Phaedo.
- [Simonides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/simonides.md): Poet whose sayings are analyzed in the Protagoras.
- [Theages](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/theages.md): Young man who seeks to study with Socrates.
- [Eryxias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/eryxias.md): Character in the spurious dialogue Eryxias.
- [Erasistratus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/erasistratus.md): Character in the spurious dialogue Eryxias.
- [Antiphon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/antiphon.md): Brother of Plato who recounts the Parmenides.
- [Pythodorus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/pythodorus.md): Follower of Zeno who narrates the Parmenides.
- [Zeno](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/zeno.md): Eleatic philosopher known for paradoxes, appears in Parmenides.
- [Young Socrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters/the_young_socrates.md): Younger version of Socrates in the Statesman and Parmenides.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/characters