Plato's Academy

Its Workings and its History

Paul Kalligas , Chloe Balla , Effie Baziotopoulou-Valavani , Vassilis Karasmanis

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English

Cambridge University Press
15 July 2021

Classical history & classical civilisation; Philosophy; Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500

The Academy was a philosophical school established by Plato that safeguarded the continuity and the evolution of Platonism over a period of about 300 years. Its contribution to the development of Hellenistic philosophical and scientific thinking was decisive, but it also had a major impact on the formation of most of the other philosophical trends emerging during this period. This volume surveys the evidence for the historical and social setting in which the Academy operated, as well as the various shifts in the philosophical outlook of Platonism during its existence. Its contribution to the evolution of special sciences such as mathematics is also examined. The book further includes the first complete annotated translation in English of Philodemus' History of the Academy, preserved on a papyrus from Herculaneum. It thus offers a comprehensive picture of one of the most prominent and influential of all educational institutions in ancient Greece.

Edited by: Paul Kalligas , Chloe Balla , Effie Baziotopoulou-Valavani, Vassilis Karasmanis
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 650g
ISBN: 9781108445153
ISBN 10: 1108445152
Pages: 446
Publication Date: 15 July 2021
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Paul Kalligas is Director of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi in Greece, and was Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens until 2015. His research interests are mainly focused on the history of Platonism. Chloe Balla is Associate Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Crete. Her research focuses on the texts of the Sophists, Plato and Aristotle, as well as on the Greek medical writers. She is currently writing a monograph on Plato's Phaedo. Effie Baziotopoulou-Valavani is an archaeologist and was Director of the Ephorate of Athens from 2009 to 2012, during which time she was responsible for renovation works in the archaeological site of the Academy of Plato, as well as for the exhibition at the Digital Museum of the site. Vassilis Karasmanis is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the National Technical University of Athens, where he specialized in ancient philosophy and science. He was Director of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi from 1994 to 2004.

Reviews for Plato's Academy: Its Workings and its History

'This extraordinary book … provides a treasure trove of fascinating information about, arguably, the most influential school of higher learning in Western history. The bibliography is excellent … Highly recommended.' P. A. Streveler, Choice '… the volume demonstrates that our understanding of ancient philosophical schools stands to gain from a better awareness of the complexities of their topography and intellectual context.' Myrthe L. Bartels, Metascience