{"product_id":"philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-paperback","title":"Philosopher-Kings of Antiquity - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDesmond William\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eWilliam Desmond\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam Desmond\u003c\/b\u003e is a Professor of Philosophy at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. His book The Greek Praise of Poverty: Origins of Ancient Cynicism (Notre Dame University Press) won the National University of Ireland Centennial Prize in 2008.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 272\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.57 x 9.21 x 6.14 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 20, 2013\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42168773673095,"sku":"9781472514783","price":95.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/85b8f3ae22f5f7ce0c79718cb1698d99.webp?v=1733337274","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/philosopher-kings-of-antiquity-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}