The Republic - Dover Thrift Editions Author:Plato Famous philosophical treatise of the fourth century b.c. concerns itself chiefly with the idea of justice, as well as such Platonic theories as that of ideas, the criticism of poetry, and the philosopher’s role. Source of the famous cave myth and prototype for other imaginary commonwealths, including those of Cicero, St. Augustine, and Mor... more »e. Benjamin Jowett translation.« less