The Republic and Other Works

Plato

Plato, alongside Socrates and Aristotle, is considered a founder of the Western intellectual tradition. Like his mentor Socrates, he was a practical philosopher who viewed the abstract theories and visionary schemes of many contemporary thinkers as misguided and sterile. Born in Athens around 429 BCE into a prominent family with a history in city politics, Plato’s youth unfolded under the shadow of the Peloponnesian War. This experience likely influenced his decision to reject a political career and instead become a follower of the unorthodox Socrates, famously known as the “gadfly” of Athens.

Socrates’ execution in 399 BCE solidified Plato’s renunciation of politics. In the decade that followed, he penned his initial dialogues, including Apology and Euthyphro. At the age of 40, Plato journeyed to Italy and Syracuse. Upon his return, he established the Academy in a sacred grove on the outskirts of Athens, marking it as Europe’s first university. The Academy endured for a thousand years until its closure by Emperor Justinian in 529 CE. Plato’s aim for his school was to cultivate pupils dedicated to a life of service and the pursuit of knowledge in science and mathematics. His later years were likely dedicated to teaching and writing. Plato died in Athens in 348 BCE.

Benjamin Jowett

Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893) was a distinguished English classical scholar, theologian, and translator. He held the esteemed position of Regius Professor of Greek and served as Master of Balliol College at the University of Oxford. Renowned as an exceptional tutor, Jowett is primarily remembered today for his influential translations of Plato and Thucydides.

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