detail from School of Athens by Raphael See all mediaKey People: AntiphonHerodes AtticusAlcidamasGorgias of LeontiniRelated Topics: pre-Socratic philosophysophismSee all related content →Sophist, any of certain Greek lecturers, writers, and teachers in the 5th and 4th centuries bce, most of whom traveled about the Greek-speaking world giving instruction in a wide range of subjects in return for fees. History of the name The term sophist (Greek sophistes) had earlier applications. It is sometimes said to have meant originally simply “clever” or “skilled man,” but the list of those to whom Greek authors applied the term in its earlier sense makes it probable that it was rather more restricted in meaning. Seers, diviners, and poets predominate, and the earliest Sophists probably were the “sages” in early Greek societies. This would explain the subsequent application of the term to the Seven Wise Men (7th–6th century bce), who typified the highest early practical wisdom, and to pre-Socrati...
