Plato’s Protagoras, written in the 5th century BC, unfolds around the encounter between Socrates and the Sophist Protagoras. Other figures such as Hippias, Alcibiades, and Critias also take part in the dialogue, which questions the nature of virtue and whether it can be taught. The story begins when Hippocrates approaches Socrates, eager to study under Protagoras, whom he believes holds the key to political wisdom. Socrates, however, advises caution, warning against blindly committing to a Sophist without understanding his teachings. At Callias’ house, they finally engage in a spirited debate about virtue, citizenship, and the role of education, highlighting the tension between Socratic inquiry and Protagoras’ confident claims.
