Introductory Notes on the Background of The Republic

Socrates: 469 - 399 BCE

Plato: C. 429(?)- 347 BCE

Aristotle: 384 – 322 BCE

Republic: Not just a philosophical work, but also dramatic and literary work as well. Please notice the interplay among these three elements as we work our way through the dialogue.

Where does the Republic take place?: Evening at the house of Cephalus at Pireaus, a port city approximately 5-7 miles from Athens.

What is the chronological setting of Republic? 416 BCE (the Inaugural Festival of Bendis, goddess of the moon and hunt – similar to Artemis)

When was the Republic actually written? Roughly 380 BCE.

Why the anachronism?

By the time Plato actually wrote the Republic, many of the characters in it were already dead or scattered. An audience would know this, and it would add to the dramatic effect of his work.

What dramatic events transpired between the dramatic setting of the Republic (416 BCE) and the time it was actually written (380 BCE)?

Peloponnesian War: 431-404 BCE (setting aside various lulls in the fighting) between Athens and Sparta.

Sparta destroyed Pireaus and tore down the long walls that connected it to Athens. Sparta installed the infamous “Thirty Tyrants” in 404 BCE. During their (approximately) 1-year reign, the house of Cephalus (and many others) was destroyed. They ransacked his business and killed his son, Polemarchus. They didn’t permit a funeral for Polemarchus. Who was Cephalus? A metic, or wealthy businessman. He was a shield maker who supplied Athens during the war. (Notice Socrates’ rejoinder to him about returning a knife owed to a man in rage).

The so-called “Restoration of the Athenian Democracy” came about in 403 BCE.

How does Socrates figure in this? Socrates was executed in 399 BCE. He had certain friend (Alcibiades) and family connections with Sparta and the 30 Tyrants (though no disloyalty to Athens was likely) and so had political enemies who figured in his ultimate demise. Interestingly, Plato’s uncle, Charmides (the same as in the dialogue, Charmides), was one of the 30 Tyrants, and was executed with the Restoration in 403 BCE.

Thrasymachus – a Sophist.

Glaucon and Adeimantus – Plato’s brothers (sons of “Ariston” – which means “the best”).