The Republic of Plato - An Ideal Commonwealth #220294

The question arises whether Plato intended his ideal state to be a Cloudcuckootown or Utopia of theory, or wished to establish it in actuality. Plato himself says that though difficult of creation, such a state would be by no means im possible, could any place be found suitable for the habitation of philosophers and the growth of philosophy: and this place, he says, would be found if some monarch should apply himself to practical philosophy and find his people willing to obey. It seems beyond doubt that Plato had hopes of founding such a state in Syracuse, with the aid of his friend and pupil, Dion, the brother-in-law of Dionysius the younger, the tyrant of Syracuse. But though Dionysius for a time was glad of Plato's teaching.