THE DIALOGUES OF PLATO – A new translation by David Horan

in 2 volumes

translation by David Horan 

foreword by Prof John Dillon
ISBN 978 1910140 505    1,320 pages (in 2 hardbacks)   25 x 18 cm

The Athenian philosopher Plato (c.428-347 BC) is one of the most important figures of the Ancient Greek world and the entire history of Western thought. He is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms.

For the last fifteen years, David Horan has been working on a new translation of the complete works of Plato from the original Greek into English. This is a remarkable achievement as not since Benjamin Jowett in the late nineteenth century has anyone taken on the challenge of translating the whole of Plato’s writings single-handedly into English. Unlike other complete works with multiple translators, this is a consistent modern translation which is true to the original and yet presented in a readable style. 

These translations are unique in another respect, being elegantly designed and typeset to enhance the reader’s experience. They present the text in a much clearer manner than other editions, making the dialogues easier to follow. Each dialogue opens with dramatis personae and carries succinct footnotes, with Stephanus numbers in the margins and running-heads. These hardback books are thread-sewn for permanence, and are printed on better-quality paper to avoid text show-through.

The Foundation for Platonic Studies is underwriting the publication of this translation of the complete works of Plato so that it is available at an affordable price to scholars, students and the general public alike. 

publ. 08.2025