Plato, an Ancient Greek philosopher was born into an important Athenian Family. He was well educated and at the age of 20 became a pupil of Socrates. The teachings of Socrates had an enormous influence on Plato's thinking and his writing.
When Socrates was put to death in 399 B.C., Plato went to live for a time in Megara, west of Athens. He also travelled for the next 12 years throughout Greece and to Egypt, Italy and Sicily. In 387 B.C. he returned to athens and started a school of philosophy. Most schools were held in the open air, in shady walks or under the colonnaded verandas of public buildings. His school was established in a park and gymnasium (sports ground) about 2km outside the city walls. This park was sacred to Academus, and so Plato's school became known as 'The Academy'. The academy of Plato lasted until AD 529.
Plato believed, like Socrates, that the right way to teach was to ask questions and then let the pupils discover the truth for themselves. A great deal of this teaching was published in his dialogues , which were discussions between various people. Probably Plato's most famous work was The Republic , in which he discusses the ideal state or society. Plato describes the last hours and thoughts of Socrates in a book called Phaedon.
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