Plato was born around 428–423 BCE into an aristocratic Athenian family, with lineage tracing back to the statesman Solon. His birth name is believed to be Aristocles, although this is debated. He had two brothers, Glaucon and Adeimantus, and a sister, Potone. During his childhood, Athens was engaged in the Peloponnesian War. Plato received a traditional education in gymnastics and music, and initially pursued poetry before turning to philosophy after meeting Socrates.Plato became a prominent disciple of Socrates, participating in philosophical discussions that challenged the prevailing focus on natural philosophy. Socrates' method of questioning significantly influenced Plato's writings, which predominantly feature Socratic dialogues. After Socrates' trial and execution in 399 BCE, Plato remained in Athens for a few years before traveling to study with various philosophers, including Cratylus and Hermogenes, who were influenced by Heraclitus and Parmenides.In approximately 396 BCE, Plato left Athens to study in Megara and later returned to engage in military service during the Corinthian War. He studied mathematics with notable figures such as Archytas and began drafting some of his early works, including the Apology and the Republic. Following the war, he traveled to southern Italy to study with Pythagorean philosophers, which significantly impacted his thought, particularly regarding the relationship between mathematics and philosophy.Plato's first visit to Syracuse occurred around 385 BCE, where he became involved in local politics and tutored Dionysius I's brother-in-law, Dion. After founding the Academy around 383 BCE, he dedicated much of his time to teaching and writing. His Academy became a center for philosophical inquiry, where he wrote many of his dialogues. Plato returned to Syracuse multiple times, attempting to influence Dionysius II, but faced challenges due to political tensions.In his later years, Plato returned to Athens, where he continued to write and revise his works, including the Timaeus and the Laws. He died around 348/347 BCE and was buried in his Academy. His philosophical contributions, particularly the theory of Forms and the concept of the immortal soul, have had a lasting impact on Western thought. Plato's dialogues explore various subjects, including ethics, politics, and epistemology, often through the lens of Socratic questioning.Plato's philosophy posits a distinction between the material world and the realm of Forms, asserting that true knowledge comes from understanding these unchanging entities. His ethical inquiries emphasize the pursuit of the Good as central to moral and social obligations. Politically, he proposed a tripartite class structure in society, mirroring the structure of the soul, and advocated for governance by philosopher-kings. His works have been preserved and studied for over two millennia, influencing subsequent philosophical traditions, including Neoplatonism and early Christian thought.