The Laws of Plato Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Plato's "Republic" is used most often in college courses to illustrate Plato's thoughts on politics, but it does not seem to contain a serious political program. The characters in the "Republic" are mostly young men not yet entrusted with political responsibility who are, nevertheless, concerned with justice and how a city would have to be composed in order to be fully just. That such a city could never, in fact, come about becomes less important than the questions of justice and soul that the discussion raises. Obviously (and by Plato's intention) the "Republic" does not present a practical political program. Students relying on this dialogue alone to get a sense of Plato's thoughts on the best regime may be led astray, especially if they are guided by a bad teacher (of which there are many in the universities). The best corrective to this is to read Pangle's translation of Plato's "Laws". In this dialogue an Athenian Stranger discusses various proposed laws with a Cretan who is shortly to assist in the founding of the new colony of Magnesia. The laws and regulations proposed by the Stranger are concessions to the way men are, rather than idealistic portraits of how they should be. The rule of philosopher-kings is not proposed, and the fact that all three interlocutors come from cities that at one time or another were at war with one another introduces a note of distrust and seriousness that is missing in the more playful "Republic"; this seriousness befits the discussion's more practical nature. Pangle's translation is literal and trustworthy where other translations take liberties with Plato's terminology, while the notes ameliorate the limitations of the translation form. If you are unsatisfied with this, prepare to learn the Greek since a better translation is not likely to be forthcoming. If Pangle's Interpretive Essay leaves a bad taste in your mout, feel free to read "The Argument and the Action of Plato's Laws" by Leo Strauss. My impression, however, is that Pangle's essay is more appropriate for readers who may find the unfamiliar "Laws" more, well, unfamiliar than, say, the "Republic". No one can deny that the "Laws" is more complex than the "Republic" and builds on many of that dialogue's insights, coming as it does at the end of Plato's career. To my mind, however, it is as indispensable as the "Republic" and teachers do their students a great disservice by not assigning the "Laws" more often. In conclusion, I highly recommend this dialogue and translation--accept no substitutes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Laws of Plato

The Laws of Plato, written by legendary author Plato is widely considered to be one of the greatest classic and historical texts of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, The Laws of Plato is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Plato is highly recommended. Published by Classic Books International and beautifully produced, The Laws of Plato would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library.

Click here for more information about The Laws of Plato

Read More...

The Laws Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read this book as part of my research into Plato himself.
It's hard for me to see how relevant a book like this is today. Plato's world was very different than today. People owned slaves, there was no internet or mass communications, Christianity didn't even exist yet, etc..
However it did provide some of the insights I was looking for about Plato himself.
Plato's writings have a smooth quality. St. Augustine called Plato's philosophy very 'clear'. Reading his works can almost be like a sort of religious experience since he often talks about the various mythological gods and God Himself. A book carries the spirit of the author I guess.
Plato believed in reincarnation and the law of karma. For example he felt that the death penalty is a blessing in disguise for incorrigible criminals since it prevents them from contaminating their souls with even more evil.
I feel this book shows the influence of two things that were very important for Plato; his belief in Atlantis and the books in the old testament of the bible that talk about the details of those laws that were given from on high. These two things were always there deep in his thoughts.
Atlantis was a utopian society at first and it seems that for all of his life Plato was trying to recreate this ideal society. But I doubt that he could have imagined the information that came out in the 1900s from the great Edgar Cayce (Osiris). Sometimes when people see flying saucers those are our ancestors from Atlantis travelling through time.
It is not a coincidence that fate chose Plato to preserve the legend of Atlantis for future generations. He was there on Atlantis himself at the very beginning.
Interestingly the author of this translation doesn't agree that The Laws shows how Plato became more realistic when he realized that the idealistic society described in The Republic could never become a reality. That is a common theory that many people believe.
Rather he feels Plato would have known that The Republic could never beome a reality.
I think the next thing I'll read about Plato is a biography as part of my ongoing research.
Jeff Marzano
Fulcanelli: Master Alchemist: Le Mystere des Cathedrales, Esoteric Intrepretation of the Hermetic Symbols of The Great Work (Le Mystere Des Cathedrales ... of the Hermetic Symbols of Great Work)
The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past, Present, and Future
Ufo...Contact from Planet Iarga
The Giza Power Plant : Technologies of Ancient Egypt
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Reader's Edition)
Initiation
Initiation in the Great Pyramid (Astara's Library of Mystical Classics)
Edgar Cayce's Story of the Old Testament From the Birth of Souls to the Death of Moses
Forbidden History: Prehistoric Technologies, Extraterrestrial Intervention, and the Suppressed Origins of Civilization
Edgar Cayce's Atlantis and Lemuria: The Lost Civilizations in the Light of Modern Discoveries


Click Here to see more reviews about: The Laws

"The Laws", Plato's most lengthy dialogue, has longbeen regarded as the most comprehensive explanation of the possible consequences of a practical application of his philosophy.We might expect the first question Plato ponders to be "What is Law?"Instead, the question posed is "Who is given the credit for laying down your laws?"We are privy to an interaction between a powerfulstatesman and an Athenian philosopher on theisland of Crete.We watch as a plan for a new political order is worked out that embodiesmany of the issues that we still struggle withtoday, such as the status of women, the statusof homosexuals, the family, criminal law, andthe role of religion in a healthy society.We at Timeless Classic Books hope that you enjoy this ancient thought-provoking story that may change the way you think about modern day issues.(Timeless Classic Books)

Click here for more information about The Laws

Read More...

Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture (Sports and History Series) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Poliakoff gives a thorough overview of the three combat sports of the ancient Olympics (wrestling, boxing, & pankration), their rules, the training involved, and the attitudes of the Ancients towards those sports. He speaks briefly of Egyptian stick fighting, but the dearth of ancient literature on the subject means he can treat it only superficially.
In addition to describing the sports, Poliakoff gives biographies of some of the more famous practitioners and voices some opinions about the usefulness of combat sports to the body politic, especially in the field of athletics.
In his exposition, Poliakoff sometimes dismisses as fantastical legend some feats which are achievable by well trained athletes. For example, he expresses grave doubts about the tradition that the wrestler Milo of Kroton could lift and carry a bull. In the mid-20th century there was a carnival performer, H.E. Mann, who lifted and carried a bull as a part of his act. Mann's act was inspired by Milo. Poliakoff neglects to mention that Milo is credited as the father of "progressive resistance" weight training. Milo began with a calf and lifted it daily until it became full grown. H.E. Mann trained for his carnival act exactly as Milo did, beginning with a calf and lifting it daily until it became full grown. One of the USA's earliests vendors of weight training equipment was the Milo Barbell Company.
Poliakoff takes a dim view of the savagery involved in ancient combat sports and sees no correlation between the combat sports and actual military service. Although Poliakoff seeks to show that excellent combat athletes make poor soldiers, he does cite numerous counter examples to his position. It seems ancient Greek history is full of individuals who distinguished themselves both in the games and on the battlefield.
Notwithstanding Poliakoff's anti-combat-sports agenda, the book is an informative and enjoyable reading experience.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture (Sports and History Series)

A study of the practice of combat sports in the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome and the Near East. The author discusses topics such as the function of competition and violent games in ancient society, the significance of combat sport in myth and literature, and their cultic functions.

Click here for more information about Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture (Sports and History Series)

Read More...

Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A terrific book, well written and with new insight drawn from archaeology about the use of sport and spectacle in the ancient world.
Kyle traces a direct line between the games from the late Bronze age, right up through the end of the gladiatorial contests in the fall of Rome. The Minoans painted frescoes of acrobats and dancers, boxers and people leaping unto bulls--and showed the bulls occasionally goring one of the athletes.
The Olympic games brought status and glory to the winning athletes. "Pindar suggests girls and women swooned when a victor returned to Cyrene. Art and poetry show that males swooned too" (p 89).
Women were not allowed to attend the games, but maidens were. This tradition was actually for the benefit of the men. "Fathers brought eligible maidens to the male Olympics seeking marriage arrangements (p 227).
It was the Romans who would bring games to their horrifying and extravagant peak, with vast sums of money lavished upon exotic beasts, gladiatorial combats, and incredible spectacles of battles.
Kyle argues that influences on the games came from many different strands. The Greek games. 'Royal hunts" of imported animals from the Near East. Previously, many historians believes Rome "adapted gladiators from the Etruscans as a form of funerary human sacrifice turned into deadly competition" (p 279), although many scholars today disagree. From Hannibal "Rome encountered the custom of having animals abuse rebels or criminals (p 268).
Gladiators, like the winning Greek athletes, became superstars in Rome. "Death and victory were probably the only options for the first gladiators, but later gladiators metrited imiproved chances of survivl" (p 283).
Most people today tend to recall the Christians killed in the arena. However, "against the perspective of aggravated executions, the executions of Christians...seem less bizarre...They frustrated and angered crowds by accepting death bravely and calmly in the arena" (p 329).
You must have this one!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World

Click here for more information about Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World

Read More...