The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Plato explained
This chapter recounts the life, travels, and philosophical contributions of Plato, including his three visits to Sicily, his interactions with Dionysius, his escape aided by Archytas, his refusal to engage in state politics, his pioneering
What happens
This chapter recounts the life, travels, and philosophical contributions of Plato, including his three visits to Sicily, his interactions with Dionysius, his escape aided by Archytas, his refusal to engage in state politics, his pioneering work in dialogue and dialectics, his will, death, and the epigrams on his tomb.
Themes in this chapter
Political Engagement and Tyranny
Plato's attempts to influence the tyrant Dionysius and his refusal to engage in Athenian politics due to differing constitutions.
Death and Legacy
Detailed account of Plato's will, burial in the Academy, and the epigrams commemorating his life and wisdom.
Origins and Succession of Philosophical Schools
Plato's role as founder of the Academic school and his disciples, including Aristotle and Xenocrates.
Characters to notice
- Plato
Central figure; his life, travels to Sicily, philosophical innovations, and death are detailed.
- Archytas
Pythagorean who wrote to Dionysius to secure Plato's safe return from Sicily.
- Periander of Corinth
Younger Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, who promised but failed to grant Plato land for his constitution.
- Socrates
Referenced in the context of hemlock and as Plato's teacher.
- Aristotle
Listed as a disciple of Plato.
- Xenocrates
Mentioned as a disciple and in an anecdote about scolding a slave.
Key passages
“And some say that he was in danger himself, having been suspected of exciting Dion and Theotas to attempt the deliverance of the island; but that Archytas the Pythagorean wrote a letter to Dionysius, and begged Plato off and sent him back safe to Athens.”
Plato was suspected of inciting rebellion in Sicily, but Archytas intervened with a letter to Dionysius, securing his safe return to Athens.
Highlights the political danger Plato faced and the intervention of Archytas.
“He was the first author who wrote treatises in the form of dialogues, as Phavorinus tells us in the eighth book of his Universal History.”
According to Phavorinus, Plato was the first to write philosophical works as dialogues.
Emphasizes Plato's innovation in philosophical writing.
“And he died in the manner we have already mentioned, in the thirteenth year of the reign of Philip of Macedon, as Phavorinus mentions in the third book of his Commentaries.”
Plato died in the thirteenth year of Philip of Macedon's reign, as recorded by Phavorinus.
Provides a historical marker for Plato's death.