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Benjamin Jowett
Plato · Benjamin Jowett
Scene: ascending from Cnossus to the cave of Zeus
The Laws, Plato's longest and final dialogue, sets out in great detail the constitution of a practicable city — a 'second-best' state for human beings as they are, where in the absence of philosopher-kings the rule of law, divinely sanctioned, must govern. It treats education, religion, marriage, property, and punishment, blending freedom and authority.
Notably, Socrates is absent; an Athenian Stranger leads the conversation. The work's concern with divine law, the soul's priority over body, and the argument that 'god is the measure of all things' made it deeply influential on later Platonist political and religious thought.
From the Plato Scroll Encyclopedia · open this entry in the reader
Athenian: Tell me, Strangers, is a God or some man supposed to be the author of your laws?
Cleinias: A God, Stranger; in very truth a God: among us Cretans he is said to have been Zeus, but in Lacedaemon, whence our friend here comes, I believe they would say that Apollo is their lawgiver: would they not, Megillus?
Megillus: Certainly.
Athenian: And do you, Cleinias, believe, as Homer tells, that every ninth year Minos went to converse with his Olympian sire, and was inspired by him to make laws for your cities?
Cleinias: Yes, that is our tradition; and there was Rhadamanthus, a brother of his, with whose name you are familiar; he is reputed to have been the justest of men, and we Cretans are of opinion that he earned this reputation from his righteous administration of justice when he was alive.
Athenian: Yes, and a noble reputation it was, worthy of a son of Zeus. As you and Megillus have been trained in these institutions, I dare say that you will not be unwilling to give an account of your government and laws; on our way we can pass the time pleasantly in talking about them, for I am told that the distance from Cnosus to the cave and temple of Zeus is considerable; and doubtless there are shady places under the lofty trees, which will protect us from this scorching sun. Being no longer young, we may often stop to rest beneath them, and get over the whole journey without difficulty, beguiling the time by conversation.
Cleinias: Yes, Stranger, and if we proceed onward we shall come to groves of cypresses, which are of rare height and beauty, and there are green meadows, in which we may repose and converse.
Athenian: Very good.
Cleinias: Very good, indeed; and still better when we see them; let us move on cheerily.
Athenian: I am willing — And first, I want to know why the law has ordained that you shall have common meals and gymnastic exercises, and wear arms.
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The Athenian who turned Socratic conversation into a written philosophy and founded the Academy.
Plato was born around 428 BCE into a wealthy and politically prominent Athenian family; through his mother Perictione the family traced kinship to the lawgiver Solon, and his relatives Critias and Charmides were among the oligarchs of the Thirty. A late tradition says his given name was Aristocles and that 'Plato' — from the word for 'broad' — was a nickname. He grew up during the long agony of the Peloponnesian War and came of age amid the violence and disillusion that followed Athens' defeat.
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