PLATO. PLATO, the most illustrious of the disciples of Socrates, expounded and developed the doctrines of his master, and such was his influence in antiquity, and such the transcendental character of his teaching, that he came to be regarded as divine. During the long struggle between rising Christianity and expiring Paganism his authority was enlisted on both sides, and had effect on both. During the Middle Ages it fell into abeyance, but it revived with the renewal of the study of Greek. In modern times it has animated various schools of philosophy, and stimulated independent thinkers. Plato was born of noble Athenian parents, in the island of Ægina, probably in May, 427 B.C., though some authorities. assign an earlier year. His father, Ariston, traced his ancestry to Codrus, the last King of Athens, and his mother, Perictyone, was of the family of Solon. His name was originally Aristocles, but from the width of his shoulders or of his forehead he was surnamed Plato ("broad"). In youth he wrote poems and tragedies, but after he came under the influence of Socrates, in his twentieth year, he destroyed most of them. He appears to have served as a soldier before the destruction of the Athenian fleet at Egospotamos, 405 B. C. Athens then fell under the control of the aristocracy, who sought support from Sparta. Critias, the leader of the Thirty Tyrants, being a cousin of Plato, and other leaders being his friends, the path to political preferment was open. But Plato was disgusted at the violence of the new masters, and especially at their harsh treatment of Socrates. After Critias was killed and the Thirty driven from power, he again sought an entrance to political life, as the restored democracy showed unexpected moderation. But, 'finally, his hopes were crushed by the accusation and conviction of Socrates, whom he attended during his trial, and till the sage drank the fatal hemlock. The tragic fate of Socrates drove his disciples from Athens. Plato, now twenty-eight years old, found refuge at Megara, and then set out on distant voyages. He spent some ten years in visiting Egypt and parts of Asia, and then turned to Syracuse and Tarentum, where the followers of Pythagoras flourished. He had passed the age of forty when he returned to Athens, and opened a school of philosophy in the suburbs, in the grove of Academus, a name which he has rendered immortal. Here for nearly forty years, except for two visits to Sicily, he pursued his high vocation, and numbered among his pupils the ablest men of Greece, including Demosthenes and other orators, Aristotle and other philosophers. Though he charged no fee, he was rewarded with handsome gifts. He was consulted by foreign states and kings. When Dionysius the younger became ruler of Syracuse, he followed the suggestion of his uncle Dion, a man of liberal spirit, and invited Plato to his court. For a time the guest, who was eager to introduce reforms, was generously treated; but he soon found that his advice in matters of government was distasteful to the despot, who was determined to follow the practice of his father, the notorious tyrant. Dion was banished, and Plato was treated as a captive. The latter wished to return to Athens, but Dionysius detained him under various pretences. Yet, after waiting two years, he got back safely. Scarcely four years had elapsed when the philosopher was induced again to visit Syracuse, in the hope of reconciling the tyrant and his uncle Dion, and procuring the latter's restoration. But nothing was accomplished. Plato found himself in greater danger than before, and is said to have escaped through the intervention of Archytas of Tarentum. Dion, however, afterward drove out his nephew; but, not governing wisely, was assassinated, and Dionysius recovered his power. |