2011/09/02 by Daniel Devereux · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · #Classical Philosophy and Thought
paper · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199238804.003.0007
openalex publication_date 2011/09/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01
Systematic political thought in ancient Greece begins with Plato, and quickly reaches its zenith in the rich and complex discussions in Aristotle's <italic>Politics</italic>. The political theories of both philosophers are closely tied to their ethical theories, and their interest is in questions concerning constitutions or forms of government. Herodotus sketches a fascinating debate by proponents of three forms of government: democracy, monarchy, and oligarchy. In Euripides' <italic>Suppliant Maidens</italic>, there is a debate between Theseus, champion of Athenian democracy, and a messenger from Creon, ruler of Thebes. Among Plato's predecessors there was a tradition of political thought and debate, but he was the first Greek thinker to undertake a careful, systematic analysis of fundamental questions in political philosophy. This article discusses Socrates' influence on Plato. It then looks at Plato's masterpiece, the <italic>Republic</italic>, and considers his model of an ideal constitution. It concludes with a discussion of Aristotle's complex and sophisticated analysis of political constitutions.