The Life of the Sophist Prodicus

Prodicus, born in Ceos, was a Greek humanist, sent to Athens as an ambassador. It was here that he became a well known speaker and teacher. He was contemporary with Democritus and Gorgias, while being discipled by Protagoras (where he was trained for domestic and civic affairs). Unlike Protagoras’s use of rhetoric and style as his chief instruments in education, Prodicus made ethics prominent in his curriculum. He was a pessimist, emphasizing the sorrows of life and advocating no hope less resignation (Alexandros). He went as far as to say that

Prodicus was famous for his contributions to the philosophy of religion (Barrett). He was usually ranked as an atheist, which helped explain the wide-spread inaccurate information about him being put to death for corrupting the youth of Athens. This many also be the explanation to the words of Epicurean that were put in his mouth, “Where I am, death is not. And where death it, I am not (White, 47).” Regarding his atheism, the argument was equally weak. In the remaining fragments of his own words, he didn’t speak strongly on the matter. He clearly stated that “at least some gods were human inventions.” The sentiment of Prodicus, in any case, seemed to point toward a serious doubt as to the existence of anything divine. He argued that at the most primitive stage of development, people worshiped what was useful for immediate survival (sun, rain, rivers, etc.). At a later stage, they worshipped the inventors of various arts (agriculture, the forge, etc). These unorthodox views got him into trouble in Athens with the traditionally pious. Despite this, he was one of the more popular sophists and was able to demand large fees for his services (Alexandros).

Although he was a well-known teacher, philosopher, and speaker, Prodicus couldn’t talk his way out of his own death. He was put to death by the Athenians on the charge of corrupting their youth. “Sextus Empiricus ranked him among the atheists, and Cicero remarked that some of his doctrines were subversive of all religion (Barrett).”

"such are the evils of this life that death is a desirable alternative (Alexandros).” Combining public service with personal

Some topics in this essay:
Alexandros” Combining, Choice Heracles, Aristophanes Clouds, Peggy Noonan, Unlike Protagoras’s, Seasons Nature, Whenever Athens, Choice Heracles”, Propriety Language”, Ceos Greek, virtue vice, death death, corrupting youth, precise definitions,