The Republic

is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato around 380 BC, concerning justice, the order and character of the just city-state, and the just man. It is a landmark achievement in Ancient Greek philosophy. Presented in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and three different interlocutors, it is an enquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it. They also discuss the theory of forms, the immortality of the soul, and the role of the philosopher and of poetry in society.