Plato
427–347 BCPlato, the great Athenian philosopher, was born in 427 B.C., and lived to the age of eighty. He is still one of the most famous and influential philosophers of all time, and much of what is known of the great Socrates, who was a teacher of Plato, is known through his writings. He was descended from old Athenian families on both his mother and father's side. He was born near the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, and in his youth was a devoted student and friend of Socrates. As a young man he witnessed some of the worst excesses of the democratic government of Athens, and the thirty tyrants who ruled after the war. After the war, he founded a philosophical school at a grove called Academus, and which came to be called the Academy. Aristotle was his most famous student, but his works and writings soon became well known within the ancient world.
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Most of what is known about Plato however, is that of his interior life, as depicted in his writings. He is most famous for his dialogues, in which characters from Ancient Athens discuss important issues of the day, both political, and philosophical. The primary character in many of his dialogues is Socrates, but other famous Athenians are often present. In most of his dialogues, he is not a participant however, but an observer, yet scholars are fond of trying to discern from this writing, which character represents his position. Another of his famous works is The Republic in which he postulates what a perfect government, run by philosopher-kings, might be like. In addition to this, there are many philosophical tracts in which he ruminates on the political and moral philosophy, ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. The dating of most of his works however, is uncertain, and there is much speculation about the order and dates at which they were written.
Key events during the life of Plato:
| Student of Socrates. | |
| Reign of the thirty tyrants in Athens begins. | |
| Trial and death of Socrates. | |
| Traveled for twelve years in Egypt, Cyrene, Italy and Sicily. | |
| Returned to Athens and founded the "Academy". | |
| Aristotle arrives at Plato's Academy and remains for 20 years. | |
| Second and Third Trips to Syracuse at behest of Dion. | |
| Death of Plato. |
Other Resources
| Willing Prisoner in | Pictures from Greek Life and Story by Alfred J. Church |
| Death of Socrates in | The Story of the Greeks by H. A. Guerber |
| Dion and Dionysius in | The Story of the Greeks by H. A. Guerber |
| Socrates in | Famous Men of Greece by John H. Haaren and A. B. Poland |
| Plato in | Back Matter by books/horne/artists/_back.html |
| Alcibiades Praises Socrates in | The Story of Greece by Mary Macgregor |
| The Man Called "The Broad" in | Stories of the Ancient Greeks by Charles D. Shaw |
| When Sparta Ruled in | The Story of the Greek People by Eva March Tappan |
| Two Philosophers, Socrates and Plato in | Old World Hero Stories by Eva March Tappan |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Plato: From a bronze bust at Naples. in Pictures from Greek Life and Story |
The School of Plato, Knille in Famous Men of Greece |
 Philosophers of Athens, Raphael in Famous Men of Greece |
 Celebrated Greeks—I. in Greatest Nations - Greece |
 School of Athens (Plato with Aristotle beside him is lecturing) in The Story of the Greek People |
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| First moral philosopher, immortalized by Plato. | |
| Renowned scientist and philosopher. Cataloged all types of knowledge. Tutor to Alexander the Great. | |
| Brother-in-law of the Tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse; helped to overthrow him. | |
| From humble origins, arose to become Tyrant of the city of Syracuse. | |
| Dionysius the Younger | Continued tyrannical reign in Syracuse after the death of his father; student of Plato, overthrown by Dion. |
| Athenian statesmen who tried to avoid war between Athens and Macedonia. Sometimes opposed Demosthenes. | |
| Xenocrates | Follower of Plato, and teacher at the Academy. |
| Critias | A relative of Plato, who was the leader of the thirty Tyrants of Athens. |