From the Publisher
“Plato the constitutionalist is an unfamiliar figure. In Melissa Lane’s major new contribution to the understanding of ancient Greek political thought, however, even the Republic’s philosopher kings and queens turn out not to be self-certifying absolute rulers, but principally custodians of safeguarding processes for the rigorous selection and training of other officers that they themselves have successfully undergone. Of Rule and Office makes Plato’s explorations of the accountability of government in Republic, Statesman, and Laws weighty contenders, in searching scholarly debate of exemplary courtesy, with those current in contemporary political theorizing.”—Malcolm Schofield, author of Plato: Political Philosophy“This compelling and contributive work revises the early history of constitutionalism through theoretically bold and analytically careful explorations of the centrality of rule as office to a wide array of antique philosophical, historical, dramatic, and oratorical sources, with special focus on Plato's Republic, Statesman, and Laws.”—Jill Frank, Cornell University“This is a stimulating and engagingly written work that offers a new understanding of Greek ideas of public offices and ruling. A significant contribution to the field.”—Sara Forsdyke, University of Michigan
