The Symposium is a philosophical text by Plato. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable men attending a banquet. The men include the philosopher Socrates, the general and political figure Alcibiades, and the comic playwright Aristophanes. The speeches are to be given in praise of Eros, the god of love and desire. This dialogue is one of Plato's major works, and is appreciated for both its philosophical content and its literary qualities.