GENERAL INDEX
Albinus, 6
Alcibiades (Plato), 209
Alcinous, 6
Alexandria, library of, 6
Altman, William H. F., 15n33
Anaxagoras, 184, 231, 232, 244
Antigone (Sophocles), 140
Apollo: Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of Dionysius’s address to, 234–39, 245, 248, 259; sculpture of, Plato helping Dionysius acquire, 261, 265
Apology of Socrates (Plato): character/authenticity of Letters and, 3n2, 19; politics and philosophy, relationship between, 131, 155, 173; Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with, 223, 224, 231, 238, 239, 245
Archedemus, 184, 189, 190, 262
Archippus, 255
Archytas of Tarentum, 22, 24, 218, 252–57, 259, 262, 265, 272
Argos, kingship in, 161
aristocracies versus oligarchies, 159
Aristophanes of Byzantium, 5, 10n19, 13n29
Aristotle, 10n19, 159, 171, 202, 269–70
Athenian brothers assassinating Dion, 23, 141
Athens/Athenians: empire created by, Plato on, 182–83; failure of Plato to serve as political adviser to, 169–70, 179; gifts sent by Plato to Dionysius from, 261; political counsel, reticence of Plato regarding, 155–56; Socrates, persecution of, 131, 148, 151, 169, 174
authorship of Plato’s Letters, 15n33, 16–17
autokratōr, Plato serving as, 11
Bacchius, 225
being, argument against writing from structure of, 199–205
Bentley, Richard, 5n3, 6–9, 11, 13n29, 16
Brandwood, Leonard, 12n25
Briefroman, Plato’s Letters as, 15n32, 16
Bryson, 260
Burnet, John, xiii
Campbell, Lewis, 12n25
Carthage, war between Syracuse and, 22
Christy, John Paul, 15n33
common good, problem of, 228–34
Coriscus, 146, 171–72, 175, 178–80, 182, 194, 265
Cornelius Nepos, 10
cosmic principles and “the nature of the first,” 184–90
Cratistolus, 220
Critias, 239
Croesus, 232
Cudworth, Ralph, 6n7
Darius (Persian ruler), 170, 182–83
De cive (Hobbes), 3n2
Delphic oracle, critique of Dionysius’s address to, 234–39, 245, 248, 259
Demetrios, 5n5
Diodorus Siculus, 10
Dion (uncle of Dionysius the Younger): Academy lands purportedly purchased with funds from, 264; as addressee of Letter Four, 219; Archytas of Tarentum and Plato’s third visit, 252–55; assassination of, 23, 129, 141–42, 242; character and behavior of, 150, 162, 229, 271–72; concept of philosophic rule and, 129–35; confiscation of property of, 253–54, 263–64, 266; coup attempt and civil war, 21, 23, 123, 129, 133, 136, 157, 162, 222, 224, 242, 264; dangerous position, Plato’s awareness of, 149–51; exile to Peloponnesus, 22–23, 150, 221, 246, 249, 258; freedom and law, relationship between, 135–41; friendship, importance of, 141–42, 169–70; Glaucon in Republic compared, 271; limits of relationship to philosophy, 141–47, 151; oligarchy, Plato’s reluctant/qualified proposal of, 157, 160, 162–63; Olympia/Olympic games, meeting Plato at, 22–23, 220–22; philosophy, “Dionean” view of, 172, 174, 175, 272; plans for ruling Syracuse, 143–44, 153; Plato’s two aspects of philosophy and, 167; political influence of Plato on Dionysius’s reign and, 246, 249–50; possibility of philosophic rule in Syracuse, Plato’s pessimism about, 147–50; religion/the gods and, 170, 240–42; reputation of philosophy and Plato’s acceptance of invitation of, 148–51; “satyr play” of Letter Four and, 224, 226–28; slander, problem of, 220–23, 246; structure/narrative of Letters and, 21–24; tyrannicidal intentions of, 221
Dionean party in Syracuse: letters addressing, 129, 135–37, 181, 196; oligarchy, Plato’s reluctant/qualified proposal of, 157, 162
Dionysius the Elder (tyrant of Syracuse), 22, 133, 138, 139, 161, 170, 223, 249, 264, 271
Dionysius the Younger (tyrant of Syracuse): accusations against Plato as political adviser, 153; Archytas of Tarentum and Plato’s third visit, 252–55; character and behavior of, 272; coup attempt and civil war, 21, 23, 123, 129, 133, 136, 157, 162, 222, 224, 242, 264; family of, 261–62; feast put on by, Plato’s recall of, 259; financial aspects of Plato’s involvement with, 261–66; the good, Dionysius versus Plato on, 237–38; Greek cities of Sicily, plan to recolonize, 153, 222–23, 245, 249, 250; honor, love of, 260–61, 272; “the little sphere” and, 184; mode of address used by Dionysius to Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of, 234–39, 245, 248, 259; “the nature of the first,” Letter Two on, 168, 184–91; password or secret sign given by Plato to, 266–68; philosophic rule, concept of, 133; philosophical friends of Plato sent to, 250–52, 260; philosophy, Plato testing Dionysius’s interest in, 196; Plato serving as autokratōr under, 11; Platonic philosophical writings claimed by, 195, 196–97, 213; Plato’s two aspects of philosophy and, 167; on revolt of Dion, 141; “satyr play” of Letter Four and, 224–26; slander, problem of, 220–23, 246; structure/narrative of Letters and, 2, 21–24; travel allowance returned by Plato to, 219; trust and common good between Plato and, problem of, 228–34.
See also education of Dionysius the Younger
Dissertation upon the Epistles of Phalaris (Bentley, 1697), 6–9
Dittenberger, W., 12n25
“Do well!” (Platonic salutation), 235
dunamis (power) and phronēsis (practical wisdom), 230–34, 243
Education of Cyrus (Xenophon), 233
education of Dionysius the Younger: dunamis (power) and phronēsis (practical wisdom), relationship between, 230–34; failure of Dion’s and Plato’s plan for, 217, 218; honor, Dionysius’s love of, 260–61, 272; liberal education, Plato on, 141–44, 146; “on the nature of the first,” Plato’s Letter Two on, 168, 183–84, 188–92; philosophical writing and, 194; political counsel of Letters and, 143, 153, 157; political influence of Plato on Dionysius’s reign and, 245–52; proliferation of misinterpretations of Platonic philosophy and, 195–96; religion and the gods, 239–45; trust and common good, problem of, 229–30; tutor to Dionysius, Plato as, 22, 123, 150, 236
Eleatic philosophy, 260
Epicurus, 10n18
Epistolai (Plato). See Letters
epistolary novel, Plato’s Letters as type of, 4, 15n33, 16, 19, 20, 223, 224
Erastus, 146, 171–72, 175, 178–80, 182, 194, 265
Eudoxus, 260
Euphraeus, 23, 155–56, 171, 173
Euthydemus (Plato), 209
Euthyphro (Plato), 209
exile of Dion, 22–23, 150, 221, 246, 249, 258
al-Farabi, 6
feast put on by Dionysius, Plato’s recall of, 259
Ficino, Marsilio, 6n7
financial aspects of Plato’s involvement with Syracuse, 218–19, 261–66; Academy lands purportedly purchased with funds from Dion, 264; confiscation of Dion’s property by Dionysius, 253–54, 263–64, 266; contempt expressed by Plato for riches, 231, 263, 265; dedication of Plato to promoting philosophy and, 265–66; expenses, documentation of, 262–63; gifts sent by Plato to Dionysius, 261–62, 265; poor management of funds by Dionysius, 264, 266; travel allowance returned by Plato to Dionysius, 219
forms, theory of, 21, 146, 152, 171, 178, 202
founding of new colonies, 149, 154, 164–66, 178
“the four,” 203, 207–9, 211–13, 215
“the fourth,” 200, 203–4, 207, 208, 213, 215
freedom: law, relationship to, 135–41; liberal education as truest form of, 141–44, 146
friendship: philosophy in Letters and, 169–70, 172, 175–76, 178, 183; Plato’s involvement with Syracuse and, 218, 221, 224, 226–29, 231, 233–34, 242, 246, 249–52, 254–56, 258, 259–60, 262–66, 271, 272; political counsel in Letters and, 141–42, 146–47, 149, 183; safeguarding philosophers in alliances with political powers and, 177–83; xenia (guest-friendship), 148, 150, 240, 254
Galen, 7n9
Glaucon, 271
gods. See religion; specific gods
the good, Dionysius versus Plato on, 237–38
Gorgias (Plato), 173
Greater Hippias (Plato), 209, 231
Greek cities of Sicily, Dionysius’s plan to recolonize, 153, 222–23, 245, 249, 250
guest-friendship (xenia), 148, 150, 240, 254
Gulley, Norman, 10n19
Guthrie, W. K. C., 13
Hackforth, R., 9n15
Harward, J., xiv, 5–6n5, 8, 9, 15n32, 17
Hegesippus, 252
Heraclides, 227
Hermias of Atarneus, 146, 171–73, 175, 177–82, 189
Hesiod, 240
Hiero (tyrant of Syracuse), 231
Hobbes, Thomas, 3n2
Holzberg, Niklas, 16
honor, Dionysius’s love of, 260–61, 272
human knowledge, limits of, 206–13
human nature, 176, 179, 186, 203, 213, 230
humor, in Plato’s writings, 226, 227
illness of Plato, 262
image and scientific knowledge, 200–202, 203
In Hippocratis De natura hominis comm. III (Galen), 7n9
justice, seeking knowledge of, 211–12 “the king of all things,” 185, 186, 187 kingship versus monarchy, 160–61
Laodamas, 24, 149, 154, 164, 165
Laomedon (king of Troy), 257
Latte, K., 12n25
law: freedom, relationship to, 135–41; Letters Three and Seven, on legislation, 248; preludes to, 246–47, 272
Laws (Plato): character/authenticity of Letters and, 4, 5n3, 6n7, 12n25, 13n27, 16–17, 18; as partial antidote to Republic, 272; philosophical writing and, 216; political counsel in Letters and, 133, 143, 161, 162, 165; preludes to the laws in, 246–47, 272; on tyranny, 247–48
Leon of Salamis, 131
Leptines, 262
Letters (Plato), 1–24, 269–73; authorship of, 15n33, 16–17; English translations of, xiv; enumeration and identification of, 5n3; goal of Republic differing from, 266; Greek editions of, xiii; internal inconsistencies of, 14, 258; literary unity thesis of, ix–x, 3–5, 13–20; manuscripts of, xiii, 6n7; philosophy and politics, relationship between, 1–3, 13 (see also philosophy in Letters; political counsel in Letters); posture of candor in, 235–36; pre-modern scholars on, 5–9; provenance and authenticity, arguments based on, 9–13; scholarly disagreement about, ix, 3, 6–9; Socrates, near-absence of, 127–28, 131; structure and narrative of, 20–24; Syracuse, Plato in, 2, 217–68 (see also Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with); as type of epistolary novel, 4, 15n33, 16, 19, 20, 223, 224; voice of Plato, expectations about hearing, 127
Letter One: authenticity of, 11n22, 14n30, 18n41; length of, 21; Letter Thirteen compared, 258; in narrative arc of Letters, 170; riches, contempt by Plato expressed for, 263; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 219–20, 222, 224, 246; on trust, 229
Letter Two: authenticity of, 12n25; burning of, urged by Plato, 190–91, 195, 198, 257; follower of own reason, Plato’s claim of greatness based on status as, 141; on honor, 261; inconsistency with other letters, 14n30; length of, 21; Letter Thirteen compared, 257, 262; Letter Three compared, 248–49; on “the little sphere,” 183–84; on “the nature of the first,” 168, 184–91, 205, 215; on philosophy/philosophical writing, 190–99, 205; on Plato’s reasons for coming to Syracuse, 150–51; postscript, 257; religion and the gods, education of Dionysius in, 240, 243; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 152; riches, contempt by Plato expressed for, 263; secrecy, insistence on, 191, 235; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 218, 219, 220–22, 224, 227, 228–34, 249, 250–52; on trust and common good, 228–34; on writings as belonging to Socrates, 128
Letter Three: authenticity of, 12n25, 17; inconsistency with other letters, 11n22, 14n30; on legislation, 248; length of, 21; Letter Two compared, 248–49; mode of address used by Dionysius to Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of, 234–39, 245, 248, 259; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 153; riches, contempt by Plato expressed for, 263; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 218, 222–27, 234–39, 249–50, 253–54
Letter Four: Dion as addressee of, 219, 226; on Dion’s character and behavior, 150, 162; length of, 21; as satyr play, 224–28; “speaking with god” in, 245; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 224–28
Letter Five: as digression from narrative arc of Letters, 170–71; on failure of Plato to serve as political adviser to Athenians, 179; length of, 21; philosophy as solution to challenge of politics and, 170–73; on regimes, 155–56; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 155; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23, 24
Letter Six: as digression from narrative arc of Letters, 170–71; financial needs of philosophers in, 265; on friendship, 146–47; intended readership of, 181; length of, 21; “the nature of the first” in Letter Two and, 186, 188, 189; on philosophy, 146–47, 168, 170–73, 175–77, 205; proposed triumvirate in Letter Eight compared to partnership in, 177–78; on religion, 240; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 152; on safeguarding philosophers in alliances with political powers, 177–83; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23, 24; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 228
Letter Seven: on Athenian persecution of Socrates, 174; authenticity of, 12n25; autobiographical section of, 17n37, 21, 127, 130–31, 168, 169–70; awe and fear, on compelling obedience to laws by, 181; Dionean party in Syracuse, purportedly addressing, 129, 135, 181; Dion’s plans for rule of Syracuse and limits of his relationship to philosophy, 141–47; on friendship, 170, 178; inconsistency of other letters with, 11n22, 14n30; intended audience of, 20, 135, 136, 252–53; on legislation, 248; length of, 21; Letter Thirteen compared, 259, 263; on liberal education, 141–44, 146; oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 157, 158, 160, 162, 164; philosophic digression in, 168, 183, 195–99, 203, 205, 213; on philosophic rule, 129–35, 148, 171–73, 182; on Plato’s reasons for coming to Syracuse, 151; political counsel in, 129; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 152, 153, 154–55; on Socrates, 128, 131; on squandering of Dion’s assets by Dionysius, 266; in structure and narrative of Letters, 21, 22–23; structure of being, argument against writing from, 199–205; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 218, 220–22, 224, 228, 249–50, 252–54; on trust, 228; voice of Plato, expectations about hearing, 127; Zeus, invocations of, 240–41
Letter Eight: authenticity of, 12n25; Dionean party in Syracuse, addressing, 135–37, 181; freedom and law, on relationship of, 135–41; length of, 21; in narrative arc of Letters, 170; oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 157, 158, 160, 162; partnership in Letter Six compared to proposed triumvirate in, 177–78; in structure and narrative of Letters, 23–24; Syracuse, on Plato’s involvement with, 226–28, 249
Letter Nine: length of, 21; in structure and narrative of Letters, 24; Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with, 218, 255–57
Letter Ten: length of, 21, 24; on philosophy, 168, 169–70, 172–74, 175, 178; in structure and narrative of Letters, 24
Letter Eleven: on founding of new colony, 149, 154, 164–66, 178; length of, 21; reticence of Plato regarding political counsel in, 154; on Socrates, 128; in structure and narrative of Letters, 24
Letter Twelve: authenticity of, 6n7, 13n29; length of, 21; in structure and narrative of Letters, 24; Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with, 218, 255, 257
Letter Thirteen: authenticity of, 6n7, 12n25, 14n30, 257–59, 266–67; on financial aspects of Plato in Syracuse, 261–66; length of, 21; password or secret sign in, 266–68; in structure and narrative of Letters, 24; Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with, 219, 257–66
Lewis, V. Bradley, 10n18
liberal education, 141–44, 146
literary unity thesis, ix–x, 3–5, 13–20
Lloyd, G. E. R., 14n29
logos/logoi and scientific knowledge, 200, 203, 204
Lucian, 5n5
Lycophron, 250
Lysiclides, 251
Machiavelli, Niccolo, 163, 165
manuscripts of Plato’s Letters, xiii, 6n7
Memorabilia (Xenophon), 19, 136, 140
mercenaries, wages of, 264
Messene, kingship in, 161
Metaphysics (Aristotle), 202
Minos, 232
Momigliano, Arnaldo, 12n25, 17n37, 19–20
monarchy versus kingship, 160–61
monotheistic secret signal, 267
moral character, philosophy as, 173–74
Morrow, Glenn R., xiv, 5n5, 11n20, 13n29
names and scientific knowledge, 200, 203, 204
“the nature of the first,” 168, 184–91, 205, 215
oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 156–64
Olympia/Olympic games, Dion and Plato meeting at, 22–23, 220–22
Olympiodorus, 12n26
Parisinus Graecus 1807, xiii
participation in scientific knowledge, 200–203
Perdiccas of Macedon, 23, 155–56, 171, 172, 173, 226–27
Pergamum, library of, 6
Periander, 231
Phaedo (Plato), 19, 202, 241, 266
Phaedrus (Plato), 203, 205, 215, 231, 257
Phalaris (Sicilian tyrant), 6–8
Philistion, 251
Philonides, 255
philosophic rule: concept of, 129–35; Dion’s plans for rule of Syracuse and limits of his relationship to philosophy, 141–47, 151; [in]ability of philosophers to apply, 171–73, 182; as means of defending philosophy, 270; oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 157; possibility of in Syracuse, Plato’s pessimism about, 147–50; virtue, importance of, 173–75
philosophy in Letters, 167–216; Archytas of Tarentum’s visit to Syracuse and, 254; clarity, understanding, and individual fulfillment, as means of, 167; “Dionean” view of, 172, 174, 175, 272; financial needs of Plato in dedication to promoting, 265–66; friendship and, 169–70, 172, 175–76, 178, 183; human knowledge, limits of, 206–13; as moral character versus activity, 173–74; “the nature of the first,” 168, 184–91, 205, 215; politics, philosophy as solution to challenge of, 167, 169–77; promotion and defense of philosophy, as goal of Letters, 269–73; relationship between philosophy and politics, 1–3, 13 (see also political counsel in Letters); religious cast of, 176–77, 179–80, 183, 244–45; reputation of, Plato’s concern for, 148–51, 167–68; safeguarding philosophers in alliances with political powers, 177–83; two approaches of Plato to, 167–68; virtue, as possession of, 173–75, 210. See also writing, philosophical
phronēsis (practical wisdom): dunamis (power) and, 230–34, 243; sophia (theoretical wisdom) versus, 213
piety. See religion
Plato, works: Alcibiades, 209; Charmides, 237, 239; Euthydemus, 209; Euthyphro, 209; Gorgias, 173; Greater Hippias, 209, 231; Meno, 173, 174, 233; Parmenides, 202; Phaedo, 19, 202, 241, 266; Phaedrus, 203, 205, 215, 231, 257; Philebus, 173, 209; Protagoras, 13n26, 173, 174, 209, 237–38; Second Alcibiades, 13n26, 166, 238; Statesman, 140; Symposium, 174, 210, 238; Theaetetus, 209, 231; Timaeus, 202. See also Apology of Socrates; Laws; Letters; Republic
“Platons Buch ‘Briefe’” (Dornseiff), 14
playfulness, in Plato’s writings, 180, 209, 216
political counsel in Letters, 127–66; concept of philosophic rule, 129–35; Dion’s plans for rule of Syracuse and limits of his relationship to philosophy, 141–47; founding of new colonies, 149, 154, 164–66; freedom and law, relationship of, 135–41; friendship and, 141–42, 146–47, 149, 183; influence of Plato on Dionysius’s political reign, 245–52; liberal education and, 141–44, 146; oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 156–64; philosophy as solution to challenge of politics, 167, 169–77; possibility of philosophic rule in Syracuse, Plato’s pessimism about, 147–50; relationship between philosophy and politics, 1–3 (see also philosophy in Letters); reputation of philosophy, Plato’s concern for, 148–51; reticence of Plato to provide, 151–56; safeguarding philosophers in alliances with political powers, 177–83; tyranny, Plato’s treatment of, 245–49
Politics (Aristotle), 159
Poseidon, 257
power (dunamis) and practical wisdom (phronēsis), 230–34, 243
preludes to the laws, 246–47, 272
Proclus, 6n7
Prolegomena to Platonic Philosophy, 6n7
Protagoras (Plato), 13n26, 173, 174, 209, 237–38
Pythagorean philosophy, 254–55, 259–60
refutations, Socratic, 128, 208–9, 211–12, 214–15
regimes/regime change, 155–56, 159–64, 226–27
“Rejoice!” (as salutation), 235–39
religion: Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of Dionysius’s address to, 234–39, 245, 248, 259; Dion’s trust in, 170; dunamis (power) and phronēsis (practical wisdom), relationship between, 233; education of Dionysius and, 239–45; heterodoxy of Plato’s views on gods, 240, 245; monotheistic secret signal, 267; philosophy and, 176–77, 179–80, 183, 244–45; soul, immortality of, 242–43; “speaking with god,” 244–45; xenia (guest-friendship), as religious duty, 149
Republic (Plato): character/authenticity of Letters and, 1–2, 4, 5n3, 6n7, 13n27, 17; contempt for riches in, 231; on duties and obligations, 256; goal of Letters differing from, 266; on the good, 237, 238; Ideas, doctrine of, 202; justice, on seeking knowledge of, 211–12; philosophical writing and, 205, 209; political counsel in Letters and, 129, 132, 133, 136, 143, 147–48, 150, 151, 152, 156, 160, 256; on popular resistance to philosophic rule, 150; on religion and the gods, 240; utopianism of, 270–72; on virtue, 173, 174, 210
Richards, Herbert, 10n17
Ritter, Conrad, 12n25
Sallust, 12n25
satyr play, Letter Four as, 224–28
Sauppe, Hermann, 15n32
scientific knowledge, acquisition of, 200–213
Second Alcibiades (Plato), 13n26, 166, 238
seriousness, in Plato’s writings, 2, 180, 197, 199, 206, 214, 215, 216, 246, 248, 267–68, 272
Sicily, Plato’s visits to. See Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with
Simmias the Socratic, 12n26
slander, problem of, 220–23, 246
Socrates: Athenian persecution of, 131, 148, 151, 169, 174; contextual interpretation of utterances of, 18, 134; highest refutations not contained in dialogues, 215; justice, on seeking knowledge of, 211–12; near-absence from Letters, 127–28, 131; on piety, in Phaedo, 241; on writings attributed to Plato, 128, 192–93, 195, 198, 234, 268; as Platonic fiction, 192–93; true philosophy, as personification of, in Republic, 1, 270; on virtue as knowledge, 173, 174, 210; “What Is?” questions framed by, 209, 270. See also Apology of Socrates
Solon, 232
sophia (theoretical wisdom) versus phronēsis (practical wisdom), 213
Sophocles, 140
Sparta, political system of, 161
Statesman (Plato), 140
structure of being, argument against writing from, 199–205
stylometry, 12n25
Susemihl, Franz, 15n32
Symposium (Plato), 174, 210, 238
Syracuse, Plato’s involvement with, 2, 217–68; Archytas of Tarentum and Plato’s third visit, 252–57; Carthage, war between Syracuse and, 22; as core story of Letters, 217; coup attempt and civil war, 21, 23, 123, 129, 133, 136, 157, 162, 222, 224, 242, 264; democracy preceding rule of Dionysian tyrants, 139; Dionysius the Elder, 22, 133, 138, 139, 161, 170, 223, 249, 264, 271; dunamis (power) and phronēsis (practical wisdom), relationship between, 230–34; friendship and, 218, 221, 224, 226–29, 231, 233–34, 242, 246, 249–52, 254–56, 258, 259–60, 262–66, 271, 272; Greek cities of Sicily, Dionysius’s plan to recolonize, 153, 222–23, 245, 249, 250; hedonism and licentiousness of Sicilian Greeks, 132, 148; intentions of Plato regarding, 217–19; kingship, proposal to transform tyranny into, 160–61; mode of address used by Dionysius to Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of, 234–39, 245, 248, 259; oligarchy, reluctant/qualified proposal of, 156–64; password or secret sign, 266–68; political influence of Plato on Dionysius’s reign, 245–52; possibility of philosophic rule in Syracuse, Plato’s pessimism about, 147–50; religion and education of Dionysius, 239–45; “satyr play” of Letter Four and, 224–28; Sicily, Plato’s three visits to, 22–23, 196; slander, problem of, 220–23, 246; structure of Plato’s Letters and, 15n33, 23–24; trust and common good, problem of, 228–34. See also Dion; Dionean party in Syracuse; Dionysius the Younger; education of Dionysius the Younger; financial aspects of Plato’s involvement with Syracuse
Taylor, A. E., 5n3
Temple, William, 8
Theodotes, 227
theology. See religion
Thirty Tyrants, 131
Thrasymmachus, 1
Timaeus (Plato), 202
tragedy, Letters as form of, 224–28
tyranny: dangers of dealing with tyrants, 251–52; Delphic oracle, Plato’s critique of Dionysius’s address to, 234–39, 245, 248; kingship versus, 161–62; Plato’s Laws on, 247–48; Plato’s treatment of, 245–49
virtue, philosophy as possession of, 173–75, 210
wisdom: phronēsis (practical wisdom) and dunamis (power), 230–34, 243; sophia (theoretical wisdom) versus phronēsis (practical wisdom), 213
Wohl, Victoria, 15n33
writing, philosophical: claimed by Dionysius the Younger, 195, 196–97, 213; difficulties of, 269–70; “highest and first things,” impossibility of writing about, 213–16; human knowledge, limits of, 206–13; Letter Seven on, 196–99; Letter Two on, 190–99; Plato’s denial of written works by Plato, 128, 192–93, 198, 234, 268; proliferation of misinterpretations of Platonic philosophy and, 195–96; secret signal passed by Plato to Dionysius and, 268; seriousness and playfulness in, 216; significance of Plato seeking to stop Dionysius from undertaking, 236–37; structure of being, argument against writing from, 199–205
xenia (guest-friendship), 148, 150, 240, 254
Xenophon, 19, 136, 140, 173, 233
Zeno, 202