Abstract

The paper offers a brief outline of the general characteristics of the Socratesʼ comic portrayal. It is argued, that Aristophanesʼ portrait of Socrates is based on earlier writings and that there is a certain unity of all preserved comic portraits of Socrates. This unity is linguistically analysed and further characterised as a peculiar merging of physiological and mystical features, which can be found also in the philosophical sects of the southern Italy. The conclusion is that Socrates was in these comedies portrayed as pythagorizing mystic.