Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Major(s)
Classics
Document Type
Immediate Open Access
Abstract
This paper undertakes a discussion of the Sisyphus fragment and Critias of Athens, examining the question of authorship and arguing that, ultimately, the attribution to Critias is more important than whether or not his authorship of the fragment is historical fact, though it is also likely that he did indeed write it. The attribution to Critias is supported by the consistencies between the views present in the fragment and Critias’ character and actions as reported by contemporaries and later biographers. Moreover, those views are a natural extension of pre-Socratic thought and share some commonalities with Plato’s own philosophy; by establishing the philosophical context of the fragment, this paper cements Critias’ relevancy as a philosopher, not just a ruthless politician.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.54718/MFQX5017
Date Defended
5-1-2018
Thesis Director
Clark, Mark
Second Committee Member
DiGiulio, Scott
Third Committee Member
Snyder, Christopher
Recommended Citation
Phillips, Sarah Adison, "Critias of Athens and the Sisyphus Fragment" (2018). Honors Theses. 32.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/honorstheses/32
