ABSTRACT
Perhaps more than any other dialogue, Plato's Laws demands a reading that is at once historical and philosophical. It is generally agreed that the constitution outlined in the Laws is characterized by a blend of Spartan and Athenian elements, with Athens making the largest contribution to the mixture. The citizens of Magnesia, then, will be compelled to really learn the law. This will involve reading and re-reading the actual text of the lawcode, as well as learning poems and prose writings which contain exactly the same message as the laws. Plato's view, a true lawgiver must have the philosophic knowledge which will enable him to create a unified lawcode in accordance with the principles of reason. Does Plato's turn toward written law signal a rapprochement with democratic ideology? To what extent is the conception of written law in the Laws modelled on the Athenian use of written law? Let consider, finally, the role of the dikastai in the Athenian courts.
