Hippias

Hippias of Elis (c. 460 – 400 BC) was a Greek sophist, a contemporary of Socrates, and known for his wide range of knowledge and impressive memory. He hailed from Elis, a city in the Peloponnese.

Hippias claimed expertise in virtually every art and science, boasting that he could speak on any subject without prior preparation. He was particularly known for his skills in rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, grammar, and music. He also reportedly made his own clothes, shoes, and jewelry, showcasing his practical skills.

Plato portrays Hippias in several dialogues, including Hippias Major, Hippias Minor, and Protagoras. In these dialogues, Hippias is often presented as arrogant and boastful, though not necessarily malicious. Socrates frequently challenges Hippias's pronouncements, revealing inconsistencies and superficiality in his understanding of complex concepts such as beauty, truth, and justice. While Plato's portrayal is likely critical, it does provide insight into Hippias's character and the nature of his sophistry.

Hippias's contributions to mathematics are debated. He is sometimes credited with discovering the quadratrix, a curve used to square the circle, although the historicity of this attribution is uncertain.

Despite Plato's critical portrayal, Hippias was clearly a significant figure in his time, attracting students and commanding respect for his breadth of knowledge. His willingness to teach a wide array of subjects, combined with his emphasis on practical skills, distinguished him from other sophists and philosophers of the period. He represents a particular type of intellectual engaged in providing useful knowledge and rhetorical training to those seeking success in public life.