Plato’s War
Reading Plato and the Tyrant by James Romm. Drawing on Plato’s rarely studied (and possibly forged letters?), Romm shows how personal failure and the turbulent politics of Syracuse helped shape The Republic. His influence, channeled through Dion, helped ignite a civil war—an unintended consequence of philosophy meeting power. Romm makes a compelling case that even uncertain texts can reveal deeper truths. Read more → Update: New Review →