History: Platos Republic

400 BCE

Plato's work entitled The Republic explained Plato's views on Government. The Republic describes an ideal, or utopian, state, and is considered to be one of the first works of utopian literature. The public in Plato's Republic is divided into three groups, a ruling elite of serving philosopher kings, the courageous or warriors, and the masses, farmers, artisans, laborers, and tradesmen. In Plato's ideal, each group fulfills its assigned role and contributes to the unity and stability of the state.