He
shunned no society, and was on equally intimate terms with Pericles,
the head of the state, and with the licentious Alcibiades. He sat
down to table with tradesmen and artisans, drank with sailors in the
Piraeus, and lived himself with his family in the suburb Ceramicus.
When it was asked why Socrates was always out of doors, his friends
answered, "because he was not comfortable at home." And when his
more intimate friends asked how he could be on intimate terms with
seamen and tax-gatherers, Socrates himself answered, "They are
also men!"
At the philosopher's side, and when he sat, standing behind him, was
always to be seen a youth, whose broad brow attracted attention.
This was his best disciple, whose real name was Aristokles, but who,
on account of his forehead, had the nickname Plato.
Vying with him in an almost jealous rivalry to appear by the
Master's side, stood the beautiful Alcibiades.
The third after them was the stately austere Euripides, the tragic
dramatist. Turning his back to the company, absorbed in thought and
tracing designs on the ground, as though he were always at work,
stood Phidias, the man "who made gods for Athens." On the edge of
the fountain sat a man with his legs dangling and his mouth
perpetually moving, as though he were sharpening his tongue for
thrust and counter-thrust; his brow was furrowed and worn as though with
fruitless thought, his eyes glowered like those of a serpent
watching for its prey.
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