The Seventh Letter of Plato
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The Seventh Letter of Plato is a literary and philosophical text of the mid-fourth century BC (ca. 360 BC), the authorship of which has long been disputed by classical scholars. Much contemporary scholarly opinion favors the authenticity of the text—i.e. that it was written by Plato himself, or by a student of Plato who possessed direct and intimate knowledge of the events and circumstances involved.
For readers and students of Plato and Greek philosophy, interest in the Seventh Letter lies in the text's account of Plato's involvement with Dionysius II, or Dionysius the Younger, tyrant of Syracuse. The philosopher Dion, the tyrant's uncle, convinced his nephew to invite Plato to Syracuse to serve as a tutor to the young Dionysius in philosophy and political ethics (much as Aristotle would later serve as tutor to Alexander the Great). Plato made three journeys to Syracuse, but became victimized by court intrigues, especially involving the exile of Dion. Dionysius was at times so enthusiastic about Plato that he kept the philosopher a virtual prisoner; at other times Plato feared he might be murdered by the tyrant's fractious court. Plato even had difficulties escaping from Syracuse back to Athens.
Plato's involvement with Dionysius II of Syracuse has attracted attention as the philosopher's attempt, apparently his sole attempt, to apply his idealistic political philosophy to real-world politics; and its general failure has struck some critics as a negative commentary on the practical applicability of a Platonic system.
