Plato

Plato (about 427-about 347 bc), Greek thinker.

Plato's real name was Aristocles. He was nicknamed Plato, which means 'broad-shouldered', and is always known by that name.

Plato spent his life trying to understand the world around him. He was born in Athens and studied under Socrates.

When Socrates was put to death, Plato left his home to travel and study in Greece, Italy, Sicily and North Africa.

Afterwards he went back to Athens in 387 bc and started a school. It was built in a park called the Grove of Academus and came to be called the Academy.

Plato's Academy was the first university in Europe. Plato set down his ideas in a series of books called his Dialogues (Conversations).

One of his books, The Republic, described what it would be like to live in a perfect state. In the book he explained how the people would be taught to be good and just.

Plato's ideas on education are still studied by teachers today.