Plato's Republic

The Ancients

History Hit

History

4.7 • 3.5K Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today we journey into the creation of Plato's Republic. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. James Romm to discover how Plato's encounters with the tyrant-ruled city of Syracuse and its rulers, Dionysius the Elder and Dionysius the Younger, deeply influenced his philosophical masterpiece.

Plato's involvement in a civil war, Syracuse's power struggles and Plato's own missteps contributed to the timeless ideas of justice and governance in 'The Republic.'

Tristan and James demystify the divine image of Plato to reveal a profoundly human philosopher shaped by real-world political intrigue and conflict.

Atlantis

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XdAg3rreBhW6Od4WIUne7

Watch Tristan and Roel argue over Ancient Greek Theories:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd7-guKlr40

Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Tristan Hughes, and if you would like the ancient ad-free, get early access and bonus episodes, sign up to History Hit.
0:08.1	With a History Hit subscription, you can also watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries, including my recent documentary all about Petra and the Nabatans, and enjoy a new release every week.
0:19.3	Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com slash subscribe.
0:25.4	Fulump here is.
0:26.5	Being sport for choice in a riverside food hall
0:28.8	and playing with interactive art.
0:30.4	Tree pose with river views.
0:32.0	Ferry laughing at local comedians.
0:33.7	Kids dancing at a toddler disco.
0:35.7	Claring checkmate with a nigroney.
0:37.4	Flat whites and river strolls.
0:38.9	Sampling chef Adam Bayat's seasonal menus.
0:41.4	Watching rowers go head to head.
0:43.2	Recharging with a luxurious riverside staycation.
0:46.3	Slowing down to enjoy what matters most.
0:49.7	London's most exciting new riverside destination is now open.
0:53.3	Visit full and peer.com.
0:59.5	Hey guys, I hope you're doing well. Welcome to the ancients. I am just on my way to work.
1:04.7	Now, today's episode is all about Plato's Republic and the real life experiences that likely
1:09.9	inspired Plato to create his masterpiece.
1:13.6	Guys, I found this chap fascinating. It pushes aside this portrayal of Plato is almost kind of
1:17.9	ethereal and divine-like and reveals a much more human character, something which I found
	...

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