The Seventh Letter

*Illustrated with over a dozen pictures of Plato and other Ancient Greek philosophers.

*Includes Table of Contents


In 427 B.C., the Ancient Greek city-state of Athens was flourishing.  Approximately 80 years earlier, the Athenians had formed the first self-representative democracy in history, the Peloponnesian War against Sparta had only just started, and Socrates was only beginning to lay the foundation of what would become Western philosophy.  That year Plato was born to a wealthy family: with an uncle who was close friends with Socrates, Plato was seemingly destined to become a philosopher.  By the end of his life, Plato had indeed become the foremost philosopher of his time, and perhaps the most famous philosopher in Western history.


None of Socrates’ works survived antiquity, so most of what is known about him came from the writings of his followers, most notably Plato.  What is known about Socrates is that he seemed to make a career out of philosophy, and Plato was intent on following in his footsteps. Yet for all of the influence of Socrates’ life on Plato, it was Socrates’ death around 399 B.C. that truly shaped him.  Plato was so embittered by Socrates’ trial in Athens that he completely soured on Athenian democracy, and he began to travel around the Mediterranean, studying topics like mathematics, honing his approach to philosophical thinking, and continuing to refine his philosophical beliefs.

Of all the letters attributed to Plato, the Seventh Letter is most widely believed among classical scholars to be authentic. The letter touches upon several themes and recounts his trips to Syracuse in an attempt to educate the tyrant , Dionysius, in moderation.  Plato was unsuccessful in this attempt to create a “philosopher king.”


This edition of Plato’s Seventh Letter is specially formatted with over a dozen pictures of Plato and other famous Ancient Greek philosophers. It also includes a Table of Contents for easier navigation.