Prodikos z Keos a Cyropedia Ksenofonta

Abstract

In her study the author tries to show the influence of philosophy of Prodikos ofKeos on the Cyropedia by Xenophon. Prodikos, a sophist, held the opinion that prowess (areté) is some knowledge which can be acquired since it is the knowledge deriving from recognition of one's ovn self, that is the human nature. The knowledge of one's own self, it is of one's nature, gives the possibility of a correct behaviour which leads to success in life and secures prosperity and comfort. Prowess is an advantage for oneself and for the others. It can be gained through hard pains and strains, but prowess once attained is not lost. Cyrus, the king of Persia, the hero of Cyropedia, was provided by Xenophon with that knowledge of oneself and of the human nature. Cyrus attained prowess due to his hard and steady work on himself, and he gained knowledge of himself and of the human nature. That deep knowledge of the human nature allowed him to win success, as a result of knowledge of the motives of human behaviour. The knowledge of human nature allowed him to anticipate human behaviour in certain conditions and in certain mental attitudes, as well as to induce certain behaviour by creating proper conditions, to gain friends and allies, to defeat enemies, to recognise properly the situation and qualities of people useful for him and advantages for him which may be brought by people of proper qualifications. The character of Cyrus is in a way a practical application of Prodikos's doctrine of prowess as a knowledge of human nature, a vivid example of the doctrine.