Chaerephon, Telephus, and Diagnosis in the Gorgias

This paper argues for Olympiodorus's heretofore unsupported claim that the Gorgias begins with an allusion to the myth of Telephus, sets out systematic parallels between the two stories, and shows how this background indicates the place of diagnosis in distinguishing philosophers from rhetoricians and the importance of finding people with whom to talk about how to live. Chaerephon in saying: "I'll also cure it," referring to whatever harm he may have caused Socrates through their lateness at Gorgias's presentation, references the oracle stating that Telephus's wound—caused by Achilles mistaking the Greek for a Trojan—will be cured only by Achilles himself.