Zeno’s Πολιτεία and the Socratic Tradition

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the pedagogical and political role played by ἔρως (love) and φιλία (friendship) in Zeno’s Πολιτεία and to throw new light on the exact meaning of these concepts in the framework of the various doctrines defended in this work and in early Stoic political thought. This will be done by studying the Socratic background of these themes and by comparing the characteristics of erotic παιδεία (education) as they are outlined in Socratic literature, especially in the works of Xenophon. The first part of the work intends to clarify the nature of Zeno’s notion of ἔρως by examining the testimonies of his Πολιτεία and those relating to the conception of love and friendship among later Stoics. In the second phase of the research I will study the Socratic sources of Zeno’s thought, by analysing the Socratic dialogues that deal with erotic issues. In particular, I will focus on Xenophon’s work, which will be read from various angles, in order to highlight affinities and differences with the accounts of Plato, Aeschines and Antisthenes.