Writing a biography of perhaps the most important ancient philosopher is a challenge, and many would judge it to be an impossible task. The information about Plato's life in ancient sources is scarce and unreliable. We cannot precisely determine the dates of his works, no official Athenian document mentioning his name has survived, and he himself makes almost no references to himself in his works. Both during his life and afterward, Plato was considered almost a god. This perception led to the invention of many stories about him, both by those who adored him and by his critics.

However, as this first extensive biography of Plato proves, a thorough examination of his life is both possible and valuable. Robin Waterfield reviews all the stories about the philosopher and the relevant ancient sources, dismissing some and accepting kernels of truth in others. In addition to attempting to uncover biographical details, the author answers a series of pertinent questions such as: What kind of writer was Plato? How should we read the Platonic dialogues? Why did Plato choose to write dialogues and not treatises? What is the relationship between Plato’s ideas and so-called “Platonism”?

“A thoroughly researched and enjoyable book, which fully achieves its aim, making us understand why Plato invented philosophy not as a doctrine but as an open and insatiable quest.” JANE O’GRADY, The Telegraph

“Writing a biography of Plato is a very big risk. Robin Waterfield succeeded and delivers us a fascinating, revealing, and well-substantiated portrait.” IAKOVOS VASILEIOU

“A complete biography, excellently written, which presents the whole, the man, his ideas, his legacy.” TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT