An essential text for understanding Socrates, Xenophon'sMemorabilia is the compelling tribute of an affectionatestudent to his teacher, providing a rare firsthand account ofSocrates' life and philosophy. The Memorabilia isinvaluable both as a work of philosophy in its own right and as acomplement to the study of Plato's dialogues. The longest ofXenophon's four Socratic works, it is particularly revealing aboutthe differences between Socrates and his philosophicalpredecessors.

Far more obviously than Plato in the dialogues, Xenophon callsattention in the Memorabilia to his own relationship withSocrates. A colorful and fully engaged writer, Xenophon aims aboveall to convince his readers of the greatness of Socrates' thoughtand the disgracefulness of his conviction on a capital charge. Inthirty-nine chapters, Xenophon presents Socrates as an ordinaryperson and as a great benefactor to those associated with him.