{"product_id":"desmond-william-philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-9781472514783","title":"Philosopher-Kings of Antiquity","description":"One 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. In 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 unique in detailing the development of an idea through major periods of Greek and Roman history, and beyond.","brand":"Bloomsbury 3PL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53712688873814,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/5829\/5382\/files\/product_image_9781472514783_1_ffed6328-65e7-422a-bbdb-9dd78510698a.jpg?v=1781765420","url":"https:\/\/www.momoxbooks.com\/products\/desmond-william-philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-9781472514783","provider":"momoxbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}