The Military Character of Plato’s Republic

Abstract

This thesis examines the military character of Plato’s Republic, and is driven by two key concerns: First, to demonstrate and explain warfare’s importance as both an influence on, and factor within, the argument of the Republic; second, to explore the way in which Plato, as a fourth century BC Greek intellectual, engages with his social, cultural, military, and intellectual context with regards to warfare. I begin with an overview of the Republic’s argument, emphasising the prevalence of military content in the text. I then proceed to the question of Plato’s participation in and experience of warfare, offering a tentative account of his life to the time of the Corinthian War. Finally, I situate the Republic within its military context at the date of its composition, whilst emphasising key points of historical interest. In Chapter One I discuss the influence of warfare on the social structure of Plato’s just city. I look at the evolution of Kallipolis from Socrates’ first and second cities, and I emphasise warfare’s role as a driving force enabling the city to achieve the condition of true justice. I then discuss the three-class ordering at Kallipolis, emphasising the lifelong military participation of the guardian class generally, and the guardian-rulers particularly. In Chapter Two I look at the importance of warfare to Kallipolis’ educational system and distinguish the two forms of education conducted at Kallipolis: The first, cultural and physical training targeted at the entire guardian class; the second, mathematical and dialectical instruction targeted at the guardian-rulers. I also look at the question of the philosopher-kings’ motivation to rule, which, I suggest, is connected to the quality of selfsacrifice developed over the course of their military participation. In Chapter Three I take an explicitly historical approach to the Republic’s military content as an aid to understanding better Plato’s philosophical purposes. In this chapter I consider the following points: Plato’s largely traditional approach to military training; the operational concerns of Kallipolis’ army; the inclusion of females as warriors; and, finally, the limitations Socrates imposes on warfare in Book V.