Plato and the TyrantPlato is one of history's most influential thinkers, the "sublime philosopher" whose writings remain foundational to Western culture. He is known for the brilliant dialogues in which he depicted his teacher, Socrates, discussing ethical truths with prominent citizens of Athens. Yet the image we have of Plato an ethereal figure far removed from society and politics, who conjured abstract ideas in peaceful groves is a fiction, created by Plato's