Plato founded the Academy in Athens around 387 B.C. However, historical scholarship often cites a range between 387 and 385 B.C. The provided answer of 385 B.C. is a commonly accepted date in many academic texts, though some historians prefer 387 B.C. as the precise year of establishment.

This statement reflects Plato's concern with the power of rhetoric and false appearances, which he frequently discussed in his dialogues. He often warned against the 'enchantment' of sophistry and deceptive speech, which could lead citizens away from the truth. By comparing deception to magic, Plato highlights the dangerous influence that persuasive but untruthful arguments can have on the public mind and the political health of the state.

'The Republic' is one of the most influential works in political philosophy, written by Plato. It explores the nature of justice, the structure of an ideal city-state, and the role of the philosopher-king. Through the character of Socrates, Plato examines the human soul and the ideal governance required to achieve a harmonious and virtuous society.

Plato was deeply critical of Athenian democracy, which he viewed as unstable and prone to demagoguery. In his seminal work, 'The Republic,' he proposed an ideal state governed by 'Philosopher Kings.' He argued that only those who possess true knowledge and wisdom are fit to rule, as they prioritize the common good over personal gain, ensuring justice and stability within the political order.

In 'The Symposium', Aristophanes provides a famous speech explaining the origin of love. He recounts a myth where humans were originally spherical beings with two faces and four limbs, who were split in half by Zeus. Consequently, humans spend their lives searching for their other half to restore their original wholeness, illustrating the nature of human desire.

Plato was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He founded the Academy in Athens around 387 BC. His dialogues, such as 'The Republic', remain foundational texts in political science, exploring justice, the ideal state, and the role of the philosopher-king in governance.

Socrates argues that the ideal state must be governed by 'philosopher-kings'. He posits that because these individuals possess true knowledge, wisdom, and a grasp of the 'Form of the Good', they are the only ones capable of ruling justly and prioritizing the common good over personal or factional interests, thereby ensuring the stability and virtue of the state.

Raphael Sanzio painted 'The School of Athens' between 1509 and 1511 as part of his commission to decorate the rooms now known as the Stanze di Raffaello in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The fresco is a masterpiece of the High Renaissance, depicting the greatest philosophers of antiquity, with Plato and Aristotle positioned at the center of the composition to represent the synthesis of different philosophical traditions.

In the context of classical Greek political thought, particularly in Plato's 'Republic', the ideal ruler is defined as a 'philosopher-king'. This ruler is expected to possess deep wisdom, moral integrity, and a commitment to justice, ensuring that the state is governed by reason rather than personal ambition or arbitrary power. This concept emphasizes the necessity of intellectual and moral excellence in leadership.

Plato's social justice is defined by functional specialization. He argues that justice is achieved when every individual and class within the state performs the specific role for which they are best suited by nature. This harmony, where the ruling, warrior, and producing classes fulfill their duties without interference, creates a stable and just society.