Music and symposium in Plutarch’s Convivium Septem Sapientium: a brief note

Abstract

In a symposion, music played an important role. It was through music that the traditions were perpetuated and the young men were educated. We see this in several ancient Greek texts, from Homer to Athenaeus. Music also has a significant role in Plutarch’s Convivium Septem Sapientium. In this brief paper, my aim is to examine the use that Plutarch makes of musical themes in that dialogue. In the end, I intend to show that music marks Plutarch’s way of thinking and style.