In this episode of the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Daniel Shields discuss the significance of Plato's First Alcibiades, particularly in the context of its use at Wyoming Catholic College.

They explore the themes of self-knowledge, the relationship between philosophy and politics, and the importance of mentorship in education. The conversation delves into the character of Alcibiades as a reflection of the student experience, the role of spiritedness in the pursuit of wisdom, and the communal nature of the philosophical life.

Dr. Shields shares insights from his teaching experience, emphasizing the need for students to recognize their ignorance and the transformative power of philosophy as a way of life.

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Check out our collection of WRITTEN GUIDES!

From our guide:

First Alcibiades is both the beginning and a summation of Platonic philosophy. The dialogue “held pride of place in later antiquity as the ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy.”[1] Its traditional subtitle was "on the nature of man,” and it was said First Alcibiades “contains the whole philosophy of Plato, as in a seed.”[2] The Islamic commentator, Al-Farabi, said that in First Alcibiades “all the Platonic questions are raised as if for the first time.”

At the heart of the dialogue is the maxim “know thyself,” which is in turn at the heart of the philosophic life. Plato uses a dialogue between a young Alcibiades, age twenty, and an older Socrates, age forty, to explore the Delphic maxim within the context of a teacher and student.[3] The relationship of the teacher as a lover of the soul of the student gave rise to the term "Platonic love," an intense, but non-sexual love in pursuit of excellence.[4]

The dramatic date of the dialogue is approximately 433 BC.[5] The composition date is a complicated question. First Alcibiades is considered by many to be a spurious dialogue or rather a dialogue written later by Platonists and not Plato. The dialogue sometimes has an earlier date around 390s BC and a later date in the 350s BC.[6] Some also hold the dialogue is a composite text with some being written by Plato and some being written by a later Platonist.

It should be noted, however, that antiquity held that the dialogue was written by Plato, and the idea that it was not originated recently in nineteenth century German scholarship.[7] For our purposes, we will side with antiquity and default to Plato as the authentic author.

Keywords: #Plato #Catholic #FirstAlcibiades #Philosophy #KnowThyself #GreatBooks

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[1] Plato, Complete Works, ed. John M. Cooper and D. S. Hutchinson (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1997), 557.

[2] Plato, The Roots of Political Philosophy: Ten Forgotten Socratic Dialogues, ed. Thomas L. Pangle Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1987), 222.

[3] Pangle, 222, fn.2.

[4] Id.

[5] Id.

[6] Cooper, 558.

[7] Cooper, 557-8.

KNOW THYSELF. Today, we have the second part of the excellent conversation on First Alcibiades with Dcn. Garlick, Alec Bianco, and Athenian Stranger. The conversation starts at 124(b)!

First Alcibiades is one of the BEST PLACES you could start with Plato.

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Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to First Alcibiades.

From the guide:

14. What does Socrates teach Alcibiades about the body (129b)?

Plato teaches that the body is subordinate to the soul, viewing it as a possession rather than the essence of man. If one is to “know thyself” then one must know what the “self” is. Dcn. Garlick contrasts this with the Christian tradition’s composite view of man as body and soul, influenced by Aristotle and Aquinas, yet argues Plato’s stance merits seriously consideration. Dcn. Garlick argues that Plato seems to intuit the Christian teaching of man in his glorified state. For example, in the Christian tradition, there is never a time you are just a body—but there will be a time you are just a soul (after death and before the general resurrection). Moreover, even after you are united with your body for all eternity in heaven, the body, in Catholic thought, does not mediate the glory of God to the soul; rather, the soul receives God directly—not only does glorified man not use a body to know God but his body would be a hinderance, as he would then hold in his soul his thought of God and not God himself. In contrast, Aristotle seems right that our knowledge in this life comes through our senses, but this is not true in heaven—the latter is much more Platonic.

As such, though Plato does not see man as essentially soul and body, his philosophical insights into who man is and why he is a soul should be taken seriously by any Christian who wants to understand his or her own tradition better. Alec stresses that Socrates downplaying the body here also has a pedagogical purpose in humbling Alcibiades’ pride, which is very much rooted in his body and appearance. Athenian Stranger comments that First Alcibiades is the first discovering of “the self,” the soul; and, moreover, that an antecedent to this discovery is seen in Odysseus speaking to his own thumos in the Odyssey. Moreover, Athenian Stranger offers the trenchant observation that while a person may never be a body without a soul, that is how many people live—a life dedicated to the lower appetites, the pleasure of the body.

15.      What is the mirror of the soul (132d)?

The eyes of lover are a mirror for the soul. The idea that we must look into the eyes of one who loves us to see ourselves is presented by Socrates as a profound method for self-knowledge. Dcn. Garlick explains: “if the body is going to know itself, what do you do? Well, I look into a mirror… clearly what we need then is a mirror to our soul… the first… mirror of the soul is the eyes of the lover, the one who loves you.” As Dcn. Garlick suggests, the dynamic goes beyond that of student-teacher and extends to other relations, like husband-wife and parent-child. Another profound aspect of this Platonic teacher is that it makes the pursuit of virtue, wisdom, and the good life a communal one. It is a stark contrast from Descartes’ solitary introspection. We are social creatures—even in our pursuit of wisdom and ultimately of the divine.

Athenian Stranger comments on the role of eros in philosophy and how it works on two planes: the eros between lovers, and the eros between the philosopher and wisdom. On the eyes of the lover as a mirror, Athenian Stranger shares a passage from the poetry of A.E. Houseman that echoes this Platonic sentiment: “look not in my eyes for fear they mirror true the sight I see. And there you find your face to clear and love it and be lost like me.” Dcn. Garlick holds that the lessons in First Alcibiades help comment on Diotima’s ladder of love in the Symposium, especially in how the body of the beloved can help stir self-reflection in the lover.

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PLATO IS PHILOSOPHY - and there is no better place to start with Plato than First Alcibiades. Today, we are discussing First Alcibiades with Alec Bianco of the Circe Institute and with the Athenian Stranger. Go check out their X accounts.

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We also have a NEW COMMUNITY CHAT on Plato to discuss with other people reading along.

First Alcibiades is both the beginning and a summation of Platonic philosophy. The dialogue “held pride of place in later antiquity as the ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy.”[1] Its traditional subtitle was "on the nature of man,” and it was said First Alcibiades “contains the whole philosophy of Plato, as in a seed.”[2] The Islamic commentator, Al-Farabi, said that in First Alcibiades “all the Platonic questions are raised as if for the first time.”

At the heart of the dialogue is the maxim “know thyself,” which is in turn at the heart of the philosophic life. Plato uses a dialogue between a young Alcibiades, age twenty, and an older Socrates, age forty, to explore the Delphic maxim within the context of a teacher and student.[3] The relationship of the teacher as a lover of the soul of the student gave rise to the term "Platonic love," an intense, but non-sexual love in pursuit of excellence.[4]

The dramatic date of the dialogue is approximately 433 BC.[5] The composition date is a complicated question. First Alcibiades is considered by many to be a spurious dialogue or rather a dialogue written later by Platonists and not Plato. The dialogue sometimes has an earlier date around 390s BC and a later date in the 350s BC.[6] Some also hold the dialogue is a composite text with some being written by Plato and some being written by a later Platonist.

It should be noted, however, that antiquity held that the dialogue was written by Plato, and the idea that it was not originated recently in nineteenth century German scholarship.[7] For our purposes, we will side with antiquity and default to Plato as the authentic author.

CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO FIRST ALCIBIADES.

CHECK OUT OUR COMMUNITY CHAT ON PLATO.

Keywords: Plato, First Alcibiades, Socratic Method, Philosophy, Education, Rhetoric, Classical Education, Moral Formation, Athenian Politics, Self-Knowledge, Socrates, Alcibiades, virtue, self-knowledge, teaching, community, philosophy, myths, education.

#plato #philosophy #christian #catholic #greatbooks

[1] Plato, Complete Works, ed. John M. Cooper and D. S. Hutchinson (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1997), 557.

[2] Plato, The Roots of Political Philosophy: Ten Forgotten Socratic Dialogues, ed. Thomas L. Pangle Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1987), 222.

[3] Pangle, 222, fn.2.

[4] Id.

[5] Id.

[6] Cooper, 558.

[7] Cooper, 557-8.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are continuing our study of Plato by diving into the Life of Alcibiades by Plutarch with Alex from the Cost of Glory podcast.

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Visit our PATREON page for written guides and to chat with others!

Alex is fantastic. Alex and Dcn. Garlick discuss a few preliminaries on why you should read about Alcibiades before studying Plato and why you should read Plutarch in general.

If you are not familiar with the life of Alcibiades, you are in for a treat. This man is a real-life Odysseus with all the twists and turns and unbelievable plots to merit that title. Alex will help us navigate Alcibiades’ life and pull out some important lessons, like the inherent dangers of democracy.

Also, THANK YOU for such a successful launch into Plato. We really appreciate it. Go check out our Patreon page for written guides on the great books AND a new community chat for all those who are reading Plato with us.

So join us as we prepare for our Platonic studies by examining the life of Alcibiades by Plutarch.

Keywords

Alcibiades, Plutarch, Socrates, Classics, Ancient Greece, Democracy, Philosophy, Cost of Glory, Antigone Journal, Human Nature, Alcibiades, Plutarch, Athenian politics, democracy, betrayal, piety, Spartan war, Socrates, ancient history, political strategy

#Plato #greatbooks #philosophy #christian #catholic #classics #ancientgreece #Socrates

WE ARE STARTING PLATO! Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast we are launching into our studies on Plato. We are kicking off with a roundtable of friends—a lawyer, two Phds, and an independent scholar—discussing the preliminary questions on Plato.

Questions:

1. Who was Plato?
2. Why should we read Plato?
3. Why should Christians read Plato?
4. How should we read Plato?
5. What Plato will we be reading?

We’ll also have a brief opening chat on the great books in general and why they are worth reading—which is at the heart of our mission here at Ascend. We’ll end by mapping out the next 8-9 months of episodes on Plato, which includes some of the best university professors and online voices you can find. So join us today for an excellent conversation on who is Plato and why should we read him.

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more resources!

Visit our PATREON PAGE for written guides and a community chat on Plato.

Keywords: Plato, Great Books, Socrates, Philosophy, Dialogues, Education, Christian Thought, Classical Education, Literature, Intellectual Tradition

Hashtags: #Plato #Greatbooks #Socrates #Christian

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

00:55 Introducing Plato and the Panel

05:32 The Purpose of Reading Great Books

12:05 Understanding Socrates and His Influence

21:14 Exploring Plato's Life and Philosophy

30:04 The Importance of Reading Plato

30:49 Socratic Questions and Universal Truths

33:53 Plato's Philosophical Legacy

36:15 Plato and the Spiritual Dimension

41:09 Plato's Role in Christian Thought

44:24 Philosophy and Faith: A Christian Perspective

51:19 How to Read Plato's Dialogues

01:03:49 Understanding Plato in Context

01:04:16 The Challenges of the Philosophical Life

01:05:42 The Hazards of Philosophy

01:07:18 The Demands of Knowledge

01:09:42 The Cost of Philosophical Inquiry

01:10:21 Upcoming Dialogues and Their Importance

01:13:14 Exploring First Alcibiades

01:13:44 The Euthyphro Dilemma

01:17:05 Socrates' Defense in the Apology

01:17:53 The Crito: Laws and Justice

01:18:58 The Phaedo: Death and Immortality

01:19:28 The Mino: Education and Knowledge

01:21:05 The Gorgias: Rhetoric and Morality

01:23:03 The Republic: Justice and Society

01:24:40 Reading Recommendations and Translations

01:26:04 Final Thoughts on Reading Plato

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Check out our new COMMUNITY CHAT where supporters can discuss Plato together.

In this episode of the Ascend to the Great Books podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick welcomes back Grayson Quay to discuss his new book, 'The Transhumanist Temptation.'

The conversation delves into the ideological roots of transhumanism, its implications for humanity, and the historical context that has led to its rise. Quay emphasizes the importance of teleology in understanding human nature and critiques the modern conception of freedom as it relates to technology. The discussion also touches on the challenges posed by technology, the influence of Nietzsche, and the need for a moral framework to navigate the complexities of modern life. Join us for a great conversation!

BOOK: The Transhumanist Temptation by Grayson Quay

You can read the great books with Ascend! Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule.

NEXT WEEK we start our study on Plato!

Summary of Book

From the dawn of creation, the serpent’s whispered lie—“ye shall be as gods”—has echoed through history, and today it manifests itself in the growing transhumanist movement.

Our world stands at a crossroads with commercial surrogacy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and “gender-affirming care” threatening to radically reshape human nature. Will we stand firm on ancient wisdom or risk losing our humanity altogether?

Grayson Quay deftly overturns the lies of transhumanism and cautions readers about the dystopian brave new world that has already arrived and will only get worse. And yet, he argues, transhumanism has more to do with philosophy than technology. The seeds of transhumanism were all there in the various isms of centuries past, but, under the harsh light of twenty-first-century science, they’re growing as never before.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

01:06 Exploring Transhumanism: The Book Introduction

02:54 Inspiration Behind the Book

04:31 Defining Transhumanism and Its Ideological Roots

06:40 Target Audience and the Purpose of the Book

09:40 Historical Context of Humanism and Transhumanism

12:15 Understanding Teleology and Its Importance

17:41 The Ethics of Medicine and Technology

19:45 The Concept of Freedom in Modernity

23:47 Technology's Role in Transhumanism

27:42 The Moral Framework for Technology

30:02 The Impact of Technology on Humanity

35:40 Transhumanism and the Nature of Man

42:34 The Asymmetrical Warfare of Parenting in a Digital Age

46:44 Theological Implications of Transhumanism

54:34 Two Competing Visions of Transhumanism

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Today on Ascend the Greek Books Podcast, we wrap up our exploration of the Greek plays with a lively roundtable discussion. Our panel of friends delves into the key themes of the tragic plays, including divinity, eros, fate, justice, the cosmos, virtue, and suffering.

We explore plays such as the Oresteia, Prometheus Bound, the Theban plays, and the Bacchae, with insights from Homer, Hesiod, and Aristophanes. Don't miss this engaging conversation as we prepare to embark on our next journey with Plato.

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Visit our Patreon page for written guides and a community chat on Plato!

Summary

In this episode of the Great Books Podcast, the hosts and guests engage in a round table discussion about key themes in Greek plays, including divinity, Eros, fate, and free will. They share their favorite plays and insights gained from their readings, exploring how these themes evolve from Homer to later playwrights. The conversation highlights the complexity of Eros as both a binding force and a source of mania, as well as the characters' limited agency in the face of divine intervention.

The discussion culminates in a reflection on the implications of these themes for understanding Greek literature and philosophy. The conversation explores the themes of fatalism versus determinism, agency in Greek tragedy, the role of the gods, the evolution of justice, the nature of the cosmos, virtue, and the purpose of suffering. The speakers discuss how these themes are interwoven in the works of Homer and Aeschylus, highlighting the complexity of human actions, moral order, and the divine influence in Greek thought.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

06:38 Favorite Plays and Surprising Discoveries

12:25 The Maturation of Thought on Divinity

19:40 The Splintering and Obsessive Qualities of the Gods

23:57 The Tension Between the Divine and Natural Phenomena

25:47 Exploring the Concept of Divinity

43:00 The Dual Nature of Eros

55:54 Debating Fate and Free Will

59:39 Plato's Symposium: Eros as Ascent

01:01:30 The Interplay of Fate and Human Agency

01:14:53 Justice and Retribution in Homer's Epics

01:32:13 The Maturation of Justice in Aeschylus' Plays

01:39:14 The Challenge of Justice in the Story of Oedipus

01:44:40 The Redemptive Power of Suffering

01:50:55 The Influence of the Cosmos on Virtue and Piety

01:59:58 The Crucifixion: Suffering and Redemption

02:09:28 Sharing the Wisdom: Importance of Discussion

02:17:07 Insights into Justice, the Cosmos, Virtue, and Suffering

Keywords: Greek plays, divinity, Eros, fate, free will, themes, literature, philosophy, podcast, discussion, fatalism, determinism, agency, Greek tragedy, justice, cosmos, virtue, suffering, Homer, Aeschylus

Hashtags: #GreekPlays #Tragedy #Philosophy #GreatBooks

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are joined by Tsh Oxenreider to discuss The Frogs by Aristophanes. The play tells the comedic story of Dionysus deciding all the new tragic poets are terrible, so he travels to Hades to bring back Euripides to help save Athen’s from her moral decay. Once in Hades, Dionysus has several adventures, which includes hosting a poetry contest between Aeschylus and Euripides to see who is the best tragedian.

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For those who do not know Tsh Oxenreider, she is wonderful. She’s an author, blogger, and podcaster. I was on her podcast a while back to discuss acedia and love of eros. Great conversation. And today, we have a high-level, friendly chat about this The Frongs and our love of the great books in general.

So join us today for a enjoyable conversation on Aristophanes’ the Frogs.

ALSO: We start PLATO on 7.22.25! Check out our website for our reading schedule. Join us!

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Tish Oxenreider's Background and Love for the Great Books

07:07 Introduction to Aristophanes and 'The Frogs'

09:17 Appreciating Aristophanes' Comedy

18:14 The Role of Comedy in Teaching Lessons

21:59 The Humor and Juxtaposition in 'The Frogs'

27:18 Comparing Aristophanes and Euripides

30:26 The Title 'The Frogs' and its Significance

32:51 The Impact of Translation on the Reading Experience

34:29 The Power of Lightness

34:55 The Relief of Small Pleasures

35:54 Remembering the Power of Truth and Beauty

37:43 The Transformative Power of Great Works

39:00 Dionysus as the Go-Between

40:18 Poets as Teachers

In this episode, Dcn. Harrison Garlick, Chancellor and General Counsel of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, welcomes Dr. Zena Hitz, a tutor at St. John’s College and founder of the Catherine Project, to discuss Aristophanes’ comedic masterpiece, The Clouds.

The episode dives into the play’s biting humor, its critique of Athenian society, and its timeless questions about education, piety, and moral decay. From the Thinkery’s absurd teachings to the mysterious Clouds, Dcn. Garlick and Zena unpack the play’s relevance to modern audiences, exploring themes of social ambition, familial breakdown, and the consequences of abandoning traditional values.

Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more!

Check out our Patreon page for our library of written guides!

Key Discussion Points

• Aristophanes and The Clouds: Born around 446 BC, Aristophanes, the father of comedy, wrote The Clouds in 423 BC, nearly a decade into the Peloponnesian War. The play, a revised version not performed but circulated for reading, critiques Athenian decadence and intellectual trends through the story of Strepsiades, a debt-ridden father, and his son Phidippides. “Aristophanes in general is interested in portraying through this kind of ridiculous, sometimes slapstick, sometimes obscene comedy, certain truths” – Dr. Zena Hitz (16:47).
• The Thinkery and Education: The Thinkery, led by Socrates, teaches deceptive rhetoric and speculative inquiries, parodying new intellectual movements. It raises questions about education’s societal role. “The question about what an education is for and whether it helps the community or hurts it is a very basic fundamental question” – Dr. Zena Hitz (19:53).
• Piety and Political Stability: The play links reverence for traditional gods to social cohesion, showing how the Thinkery’s impiety destabilizes family and polis. “Belief in the gods is standing in for… sticking to the moral code that’s keeping the whole society together” – Dr. Zena Hitz (31:08).
• Socrates’ Portrayal: Socrates is depicted as a buffoonish sophist, but his role is ambiguous—possibly a stand-in for broader trends rather than the historical figure. “Strepsiades is the target… Socrates in a way is just being used to show something up about Strepsiades” – Dr. Zena Hitz (44:01).
• The Clouds’ Role: The personified Clouds, worshipped in the Thinkery, symbolize deceptive speech and align with comic poets, adding complexity. “Clouds cover things up. So there’s some kind of image for deceptive speech” – Dr. Zena Hitz (49:20).
• Socio-Economic Context: Set in a wealthy but decadent Athens, the play critiques social ambition and debt, mirroring modern struggles. “It’s in a way a very American story” – Dr. Zena Hitz (24:00).
• Moral Precedent and Human Nature: Strepsiades’ attempt to bend moral standards for gain backfires, reflecting universal human flaws. “You never want the full consequences of that one piece of wrongdoing… It never works out that way” – Dr. Zena Hitz (33:47).
• Translation Challenges: The episode highlights the importance of choosing a translation that preserves Aristophanes’ puns and humor, with recommendations for Arrowsmith and Sommerstein. “The translation on the Aristophanes actually matters a lot” – Dcn. Harrison Garlick (54:58).

About Our Guest

Dr. Zena Hitz is a tutor at St. John’s College and the founder and president of the Catherine Project, a nonprofit offering free, open-access reading groups and tutorials on great books (CatherineProject.org). Her work spans classical philosophy, focusing on law, character, and the human good, while her popular writings explore freedom, education, happiness, and faith. She is the author of A Philosopher Looks at the Religious Life, which examines the paradox of total renunciation in pursuit of happiness. Find her at ZenaHitz.net or on Twitter/X.

COMING UP

Next week we discuss The Frogs by Aristophanes with Tsh Oxenreider and then we'll circle up for a round table on the Greek plays as whole. AND THEN we launch into PLATO with an introductory episode and then two episodes on our first dialogue: First Alcibiades. Join us!

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we plunge into the second part of Euripides’ The Bacchae—a harrowing yet gripping Greek tragedy that leads us deeper into the mystery of Dionysian eros.

We’ll observe the tragic descent of King Pentheus, the Bacchae as a parasite upon society, and the haunting themes of eros, justice, and the question of piety under an evil god.

Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading SCHEDULE.

Check out our Patreon page for our 25 Q&A GUIDE to the Bacchae.

From the guide:

Why should you read The Bacchae?

The Bacchae challenges readers to explore religion, erotics, piety, cosmic order, and human nature in a controversial and unsettling landscape. Euripides’ intent is not clear; thus, the reader is left to interpret a drama that seems to test longstanding Greek concepts, like piety and the gods.

Dr. Grabowski acknowledges the play as an integral part of the “great conversation” in the Western canon, and Dcn. Garlick agrees by highlighting the play as an important antecedent to Plato’s Euthyphro and Symposium. Though the work includes disturbing imagery, it is within those images that Euripides is wrestling with erotics, piety, and the cosmos. Somewhat shockingly, the play presents several parallels to Jesus Christ and invites the reader into challenging comparisons. Overall, The Bacchae stands as an important—though controversial—work in exploring the nature of man and his relation to the divine.

How is Agave’s death indicative of the destructive eros of Dionysus?

The disordered eros of the Dionysian cult manifests as an anti-logos mania that is corrosive to the family and the natural political order. It brings societal instability. Dcn. Garlick explains that this Dionysian eros, unlike Plato’s ordered ascent through the ladder of love in the Symposium, is a “disordered erotics” that “spirals down to bestial releases.” It is notable that the first group affected by the Dionysian cult are women, and the first act of these crazed women is to abandon their husbands and children—and then run wild in the woods nursing animals and engaging in orgies. Euripides presents a scene of perversion, a perverted femininity and motherhood. The Bacchae also adopt masculine traits, like strength, a desire to hunt, and acts of violence—like tearing animals apart with their bare hands. Dr. Grabowski observes this all leads to the destruction of the polis, as “if you pervert women… there will be no children… no future generations, and… no polis.” The women’s rejection of domestic roles, driven by Dionysus’ “erotic mania,” fractures the social fabric, leading to a “complete and utter collapse… of a polis.”

The climax of this societal destruction is Agave’s horrific act of killing her son, Pentheus, which Dcn. Garlick describes as the “zenith of this Dionysian madness,” epitomizing the cult’s perversion of natural relationships. Under Dionysus’ influence, Agave, “foaming at the mouth and her crazed eyes rolling with frenzy,” dismembers Pentheus, unaware he is her son until Cadmus restores her sanity. Dr. Grabowski calls this “sadistic” and “hideously perverse,” arguing it ensures “no polis… can survive if the Dionysian cult wins.” The murder of Thebes’ king by his mother symbolizes the ultimate collapse of political authority and familial bonds. This disordered eros, which Dcn. Garlick notes “robs you of your true identity,” transforms Thebes into a chaotic, sterile society.

Check out more on the podcast and the guide!