J. Adam, A. M. Adam, Commentary on Plato, Protagoras
J. Adam & A. M. Adam, Ed.

24. ὁ Πρόδικος—ἔφη. Prodicus contrives to make his remarks an ἐπίδειξις on ὀρθότης ὀνομάτων, which was his leading subject of instruction: see Euthyd. 277E and cf. above on 314C The distinctions drawn by Prodicus are on the whole sound if somewhat wiredrawn and pedantic. The carefully balanced style of the speech finds a parallel in the story of Heracles in Xen. Mem. II. I. 21 ff.: cf. especially §§ 31-3.

26. κοινοὺς—ἀκροατάς—ἴσους. κοινός and ἴσος are found as epithets of ἀκροατής in the orators: e.g. Dem. De Cor. 7 τὰ τοῦ λέγοντος ὑστέπου δίκαια εὐνοϊκῶς ρποσδέξεται καὶ ραπασχὼν ἑαυτὸν ἴσον καὶ κοινὸν ἀμφοτέποις ἀκποατὴν οὕτω τὴν διάγνωσιν ποιήσεται περὶ πάντων, and Andoc. in Alcib. § 7 δέομαι δ᾽ ὑμῶν, τῶν λόγων ἴσους καὶ κοινοὺς ἡμῖν ἐπιστάτας γενέσθαι (Heindorf).

29. τῷ μὲν σοφωτέρῳ πλέον κτλ. In other words ἰσότης γεωμετρική and not ἰσότης ἀριθμητική should be observed by the audience (Gorg. 508A): the regard paid to the speakers should be in proportion to their merit.