Plato is the first ancient Greek philosopher (427/8-347/8 BCE) whose long, sustained philosophical writings still exist. As a student of Socrates and a mentor to Aristotle, Plato is the fulcrum upon which Western philosophy rests. He founded The Academy (Akademia) in ancient Athens, the first institute of higher learning in the West. He is remembered for his wide and varied influence across cultures, as well as a series of esteemed dialogues noted for both philosophical and literary merit. His works greatly changed the course of Greek and Roman thought. A major school of philosophy in the ancient world, now referred to as Neoplatonism, derives its central tenets from his teaching. Neoplatonism, in turn, greatly affected the course of Christian theology and the Western tradition as a whole. An important 20th-century philosopher once called the entire tradition a “footnote to Plato.” Plato’s works have remained influential to this day. Many contemporary works of fantasy and science fiction, such as The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix, are indebted to Plato.

Scholars know little about Plato’s life. He may have traveled throughout the Mediterranean world, but he spent most of his time in his home city of Athens, where he ran The Academy.