The transformation of Athens into a main center of Greek intellectual life was mainly caused by the presence of sophists. The word sophist derives from the Greek word sophists which refers to a teacher specialized in the fields of philosophy and rhetoric. Sophists educated the citizens by debating the culture and traditions Athens. They advocated the idea that the norms of a society had to be changed according to a particular situation. Such great ideals can be seen in Aristophanes’ “Clouds” and Plato’s “The Trial and Death of Socrates”. Both Socrates and Pheidippides do not identify with the conventional traditions of Athens. However, even though both use specious argument to support their reasoning, Socrates only manages to initiate a change
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Organized sports and theatrical festivals were a result of public interest in games and competitions. Festivals, such as the ones celebrated for Athena and Dionysus were often conducted in nude without any exception (Clouds 987-989). Physical beauty was the heart of conventional Athenian tradition. Socrates challenged it by emphasizing the mind and the soul. For him one’s beauty was not directed in the physical appearance but in the intellectual and immaterial pursuits. Most important of all, his own physical appearance deviated from an ideal Athenian beauty. It was his unattractiveness that attracted others to his inner beauty, beauty that manifested itself in exceptional arguments and revolutionizing ideas.
In “Clouds”, Strepsiades enrolls Pheidippides in Socrates’ Thinkery hoping for him to learn oratory that might help him get away with his debts. Upon his return, Pheidippides becomes a totally different personality. Being influenced by Socrates’ philosophical ideas, Pheidippides instantly starts questioning the notion that a day could be both old and new (1180-1200). The “old and new” notion recalls the theme of old and new
Organized sports and theatrical festivals were a result of public interest in games and competitions. Festivals, such as the ones celebrated for Athena and Dionysus were often conducted in nude without any exception (Clouds 987-989). Physical beauty was the heart of conventional Athenian tradition. Socrates challenged it by emphasizing the mind and the soul. For him one’s beauty was not directed in the physical appearance but in the intellectual and immaterial pursuits. Most important of all, his own physical appearance deviated from an ideal Athenian beauty. It was his unattractiveness that attracted others to his inner beauty, beauty that manifested itself in exceptional arguments and revolutionizing ideas.
In “Clouds”, Strepsiades enrolls Pheidippides in Socrates’ Thinkery hoping for him to learn oratory that might help him get away with his debts. Upon his return, Pheidippides becomes a totally different personality. Being influenced by Socrates’ philosophical ideas, Pheidippides instantly starts questioning the notion that a day could be both old and new (1180-1200). The “old and new” notion recalls the theme of old and new