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The Roles of Solon in Plato’s Dialogues

Flores, Samuel Ortencio
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1371638577

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Greek and Latin.
This dissertation is a study of Plato’s use and adaptation of an earlier model and tradition of wisdom based on the thought and legacy of the sixth-century archon, legislator, and poet Solon. Solon is cited and/or quoted thirty-four times in Plato’s dialogues, and alluded to many more times. My study shows that these references and allusions have deeper meaning when contextualized within the reception of Solon in the classical period. For Plato, Solon is a rhetorically powerful figure in advancing the relatively new practice of philosophy in Athens. While Solon himself did not adequately establish justice in the city, his legacy provided a model upon which Platonic philosophy could improve. Chapter One surveys the passing references to Solon in the dialogues as an introduction to my chapters on the dialogues in which Solon is a very prominent figure, Timaeus-Critias, Republic, and Laws. Chapter Two examines Critias’ use of his ancestor Solon to establish his own philosophic credentials. Chapter Three suggests that Socrates re-appropriates the aims and themes of Solon’s political poetry for Socratic philosophy. Chapter Four suggests that Solon provides a legislative model which Plato reconstructs in the Laws for the philosopher to supplant the role of legislator in Greek thought. The Athenian Stranger orients legislation towards virtue. I conclude that figure of Solon provides a basis for Plato to redirect the aims of politics towards philosophy and cultivation of virtue in the soul.
Bruce Heiden (Advisor)
Anthony Kaldellis (Committee Member)
Richard Fletcher (Committee Member)
Greg Anderson (Committee Member)
258 p.
Ancient History; Classical Studies; Philosophy
Plato; Solon; ancient philosophy; classics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Flores, S. O. (2013). The Roles of Solon in Plato’s Dialogues [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1371638577

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Flores, Samuel. The Roles of Solon in Plato’s Dialogues. 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1371638577.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Flores, Samuel. "The Roles of Solon in Plato’s Dialogues." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1371638577

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1371638577
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.