Abstract

The contribution examines structural and thematic parallels between three dialogic texts: Xenophon’s “Hiero”, Plutarch’s “Gryllos”, and Lucian’s “Cock”. It argues that in addition to Lucian’s dependence on Plutarch, already pointed out by scholars, both “Gryllos” and “Cock” engage with Xenophon’s “Hiero”. In all three texts a synkrisis of two types of lives, performed by an interlocutor correcting an erroneous view of his conversant, plays an important role; there is also overlap in categories around which the comparison is structured, and, occasionally, verbal reminiscences.