{"product_id":"9780826434753","title":"Philosopher-Kings of Antiquity","description":"\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosopher-Kings of Antiquity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): William Desmond\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9780826434753\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Continuum","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40603772813518,"sku":"9780826434753","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9780826434753","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}