Introduction to the Meno

Abstract

Plato was born C 427 b.c., about one year after the death of Pericles. He was first named Aristokles after his grandfather. Later he received the name Plato, so tradition has it, either because of his broad forehead or shoulders.¹ He came from noble Athenian stock. Plato’s genealogy could be traced on his mother’s side to Solon’s brother and on his father’s side to King Codrus. His deep attachment to Athens was justified. Athens was a city “that had produced Solon’s legislation, defeated the Persians, saved freedom, created tragedy, and built the Acropolis.”²