{"product_id":"philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-9781472514783","title":"Philosopher-Kings of Antiquity","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): William Desmond\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Ancient - General\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most celebrated of Plato's ideas was that if human society was ever to function successfully then philosophers would need to become kings, or kings philosophers. In a perfect state, therefore, philosophic wisdom should be wedded to political power. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn antiquity, who were or aspired to be philosopher-kings? What was their understanding of wisdom and the limits of knowledge? What influence have they had on periods beyond antiquity? This volume focuses on Plato and his contemporaries; Alexander the Great and his Hellenistic successors; Marcus Aurelius and the 'good emperors'; Moses, Solomon and early Hebrew leaders; and Julian the Apostate, the last of the pagans. In conclusion it looks at the re-emergence of the Platonic ideal in important moments of European history, such as the Enlightenment. The theme of the philosopher-king is significant for Greco-Roman antiquity as a whole, and this work is \u003cbr\u003eunique in detailing the development of an idea through major periods of Greek and Roman history, and beyond.","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45085735420055,"sku":"9781472514783","price":4981.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9781472514783.webp?v=1767265350","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-9781472514783","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}