The Republic · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Republic by Plato.
Socrates
major
The narrator and main philosophical protagonist of the dialogue, who leads the discussion on justice and the ideal state.
Glaucon
major
Brother of Adeimantus and a primary interlocutor of Socrates; he is an active participant in the philosophical debate.
Adeimantus
major
Brother of Glaucon and another key participant in the dialogue, who challenges Socrates on various points.
Polemarchus
major
Son of Cephalus; he meets Socrates and Glaucon and persuades them to come to his house, initiating the dialogue.
Cephalus
major
An elderly, wealthy metic (resident alien) and father of Polemarchus; the dialogue takes place in his house.
Thrasymachus
major
A sophist from Chalcedon who aggressively argues that justice is nothing but the advantage of the stronger.
Cleitophon
minor
A minor interlocutor present at the discussion, who briefly interjects in support of Thrasymachus.
Niceratus
minor
Son of Nicias; he is among the group that joins Polemarchus and accompanies Socrates to Cephalus's house.
Lysias
minor
Brother of Polemarchus, present at the house but does not participate significantly in the philosophical discussion.
Euthydemus
minor
Brother of Polemarchus, present at the house but remains a mute auditor during the dialogue.
Charmantides
minor
A Paeanian who is present at Cephalus's house but does not speak in the dialogue.