Plato came from a prominent aristocratic Athenian family. His mother was a descendent of Solon, the great seventh-century B.C. poet and statesman, who initiated constitutional reforms, wrote many of Athens' laws, and celebrated Athenian democracy in popular poems. Plato received the best education available to prepare him for a great political career. He excelled in poetry, music, and wrestling. However, he grew up during the 27-year Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta and, when Athens surrendered in 404 B.C., the young Plato grew disillusioned. He spurned the idea of a life dedicated to politics. Instead, he turned to philosophy, having been influenced by the Sophist Cratylus, and having studied the Eleatics, Protagoras, and Heraclitus. Finally, he became a pupil of Socrates.
After his stay in Sicily following the death of Socrates, Plato returned to Athens and established his famous school, the Academy, a center for the advancement of wisdom and learning. At around the age of 60, Plato received an invitation to train the newly appointed king of Syracuse, Dionysius, to become a philosopher-king, following the model of Plato's work, the Republic. When the political climate of Syracuse became unfavorable, Plato was sent away. Four years later, he returned to Syracuse, but had to flee again because of political intrigues.
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