Philosopher-kings of antiquity : lives of an ideal

One of the most celebrated of Plato''s ideas was that if human society was ever to function successfully then philosophers would need to become kings, or kings philosophers. In a perfect state, therefore, philosophic wisdom should be wedded to political power. In antiquity, who were or aspired to be philosopher-kings? What was their understanding of wisdom and the limits of knowledge? What influence have they had on periods beyond antiquity? This volume focuses on Plato and his contemporaries; Alexander the Great and his Hellenistic successors; Marcus Aurelius and the ''good emperors''; Mose. Read more... Abstract: One of the most celebrated of Plato's ideas was that if human society was ever to function successfully then philosophers would need to become kings, or kings philosophers. In a perfect state, therefore, philosophic wisdom should be wedded to political power. This volume focuses on Plato and his contemporaries. Read more... Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Fundamental Themes: Kingship And Wisdom -- What Is A King? -- Functions Of Ancient Kings -- Kingship, Classical Greece And Republican Rome -- Philosopher-kings And Assorted Wise Rulers -- 2. Plato's Dream -- Early Dialogues And The Royal Craft Of Politics -- Guardians And Demiurges: Republic, Timaeus And Critias -- Direct Rule Of God: Statesman -- Indirect Rule By A Wise Legislator: Laws -- Plato The Activist -- 3. From Plato To Plutarch -- Plato's Contemporaries: Xenophon, Isocrates, Aristotle -- Alexander And The Hellenistic Age -- Plutarch's Philosopher-kings -- 4. Marcus Aurelius -- Marcus' Education -- Challenges Of Marcus' Reign: Plague, Wars, Revolt -- Stoicism Of Marcus' Meditations -- Assessments Of Marcus: A Philosopher-king? -- Marcus' Enduring Image -- 5. Julian The Apostate -- Julian's Education -- Julian's Ideas -- Constantinople -- Antioch -- Mesopotamia -- Assessments: A Philosopher-king -- 6. From Moses To Modernity -- Ancient Images Of Moses: Prophet, Lawgiver, Philosopher -- Lord's Anointed; Justinian And Medieval Ideals -- Freedom And System: Philosophes And Enlightened Despots -- Natural Light Of Reason: Thomas Jefferson, Philosopher-president -- Scientific Wisdom: Marx, Lenin, Stalin -- Concluding Fable: Orwell's Animal Farm. William Desmond. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [183]-247) And Index. Content: Abbreviations 1 Fundamental Themes: Kingship and Wisdom What is a king? Functions of ancient kings Kingship, Classical Greece and Republican Rome Philosopher-kings and assorted wise rulers 2 Plato's Dream Early dialogues and the "royal craft" of politics Guardians and demiurges: Republic, Timaeus and Critias The direct rule of God: Statesman Indirect rule by a wise legislator: Laws Plato the activist 3 From Plato to Plutarch Plato's contemporaries: Xenophon, Isocrates, Aristotle Alexander and the Hellenistic age Plutarch's philosopher-kings 4 Marcus Aurelius Marcus' educationChallenges of Marcus' reign: plague, wars, revolt The Stoicism of Marcus' Meditations Assessments of Marcus: a philosopher-king? Marcus' enduring image 5 Julian the Apostate Julian's education Julian's ideas Constantinople Antioch Mesopotamia Assessments: a philosopher-king 6 From Moses to Modernity Ancient images of Moses: prophet, lawgiver, philosopher The Lord's anointed: Justinian and medieval ideals Freedom and system: philosophes and enlightened despots Natural light of reason: Thomas Jefferson, philosopher-president Scientific wisdom: Marx, Lenin, StalinA concluding fable: Orwell's Animal Farm Notes Bibliography Index Annotation One of the most celebrated of Plato's ideas was that if human society was ever to function successfully then philosophers would need to become kings, or kings philosophers. In a perfect state, therefore, philosophic wisdom should be wedded to political power. In antiquity, who were or aspired to be philosopher-kings? What was their understanding of wisdom and the limits of knowledge? What influence have they had on periods beyond antiquity? This volume focuses on Plato and his contemporaries; Alexander the Great and his Hellenistic successors; Marcus Aurelius and the 'good emperors'; Moses, Solomon and early Hebrew leaders; and Julian the Apostate, the last of the pagans. In conclusion it looks at the re-emergence of the Platonic ideal in important moments of European history, such as the Enlightenment. The theme of the philosopher-king is significant for Greco-Roman antiquity as a whole, and this work is unique in detailing the development of an idea through major periods of Greek and Roman history, and beyond