THE LIFE OF PLATO BY MARSILIO.

THE LIFE OF PLATO, AND FIRST HIS GENEALOGY AND BIRTH.

Plato's parents.

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PLATO the Athenian, son of Aristo and Perictione (or Potone), derives his lineage from Neptune The Roman name for Poseidon on both sides. For Solon descended from Nereus and Neptune. Indeed, Solon’s brother Dropides fathered the elder Critias, from whom came Calescrus, who had two sons: namely, the younger Critias, who was one of the thirty governors of Athens, and Glaucon, the father of Charmides and Perictione. Perictione, married to Aristo, gave birth to Plato, Adimantus, and Glaucon; and also a daughter, Potone, who married Eurymedon and gave birth to Speusippus. Again, Aristo, Plato’s father, descended from Codrus the son of Melanthus, who also trace their origin back to Neptune just as Solon did. They say it is well known in Athens that Aristo attempted to couple with Perictione when she was at her most beautiful, but his attempts were in vain; he saw Apollo in a dream, and was commanded by him to keep her pure from conjugal union until she gave birth. Both Laertius and Polycrates write of this.

Birth, Horoscope.

He was born in Athens or in Aegina in the seven hundred and fifty-sixth year from the capture of Troy; in the three hundred and third year from the founding of the city Rome; and four hundred and twenty-three years before the coming of Christ. I have indicated what Plato's horoscope original: "Genesis" was like as a youth in my book On Love; but now I will bring forward the description by Julius Firmicus the Astronomer, whose opinion in this matter I consider more accurate. It is as follows: Mars, Mercury, and Venus in the ascending Aquarius. In the second house, the Sun in Pisces. In the fifth, the Moon in Gemini. In the seventh, Jupiter in Leo. In the ninth, Saturn in Libra. Julius Firmicus asserts that this horoscope signifies a man who prevails with marvelous eloquence and, by a heavenly genius, approaches all the secrets of divinity.

THE EDUCATION, CHARACTER, ERUDITION, AND SOBRIETY OF PLATO.

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IT IS SAID that while he was in his cradle, bees poured honey onto the infant's lips—a portent of his future eloquence. They say Socrates saw in a dream a swan chick feathering itself in his lap, which, having suddenly grown feathers and spread its wings, flew up on high and gave forth the sweetest songs. The next day, when Plato was commended to him by his father, Socrates said that this was the swan he had seen. He flourished in a poetic style in his youth. He composed elegies and two tragedies, which he himself gave to the fire as soon as he applied his mind to philosophy. He was imbued with his first letters by Dionysius his teacher, then he heard Socrates when he was twenty years of age. After the death of Socrates, he attached himself to Cratylus, the disciple of Heraclitus, and to Hermogenes, who maintained the philosophy of Parmenides.

Euclid of Megara lived in the time of Plato. Philosophers in Italy.

When he was twenty-eight years old, he betook himself to Megara to join Euclid along with other followers of Socrates. From there he set out for Cyrene and heard Theodorus the mathematician, and from there he went to Italy to the Pythagoreans Philolaus, Archytas of Tarentum, and Eurytus. From these men, he withdrew to Egypt to the prophets and priests. He had decided to proceed to the Indians and the Magi, but on account of the wars in Asia, he desisted from his purpose. Having finally returned to Athens, he spent his life in the Academy, which is said to be an unhealthy spot in Attica that he chose—as Saint Basil and Jerome also confirm—so that the excessive health of the body might be pruned back like the excessive luxury of a vine. For he was of a most beautiful and robust physical build. Whence, from his broad shoulders, wide forehead, and the excellent habit of his whole body and the richness of his speech, he was named Plato From the Greek 'platys', meaning broad, Aristocles though he had previously been named Aristocles. There was nothing deformed in him, except perhaps a somewhat thin voice; and I know not what sort of swelling under his neck deformed him slightly. Because of his residence in the Academy, he suffered a quartan fever for eighteen months; but through his sobriety and diligence, he recovered his strength even more vigorously after the fever than before.

THE MILITARY SERVICE AND THREE VOYAGES OF PLATO.

THE FIRST VOYAGE.

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HE SERVED in the military three times. First at Tanagra, second at Corinth, and third at Delos, where he even gained a victory. He sailed to Sicily three times. First, so that he might see the island and the wonders of Etna and its craters. He was then in his 40th year; at which time also Dionysius, the son of Hermocrates, urged him to speak with him. When Plato discoursed there concerning tyranny, saying that it does not provide what is useful to the ruler alone unless he also excels in virtue, they say the offended and angry tyrant said, "Your words are those of idle old men." And he replied, "And yours savor of tyranny." At this, the indignant tyrant first wished to kill him. But then, being entreated by Dion and Aristomenes, he did not do so; instead, he handed him over to Pollis the Lacedaemonian, who had come to him as an ambassador at that time, to be sold. He [took] him to Aegin—