S8 Ep1283: James Romm — Multi-Part, Part Two: Professor James Romm details the violent collapse of the Dionysian dynasty and its influence on Plato's writing. Following a falling out and exile, Dion launched an invasion to liberate Syracuse. However, his rule descen
Podcast: The John Batchelor ShowPublished On: Sun Aug 16 2026
Description: James Romm — Multi-Part, Part Two: Professor James Romm details the violent collapse of the Dionysian dynasty and its influence on Plato's writing. Following a falling out and exile, Dion launched an invasion to liberate Syracuse. However, his rule descended into factionalism, culminating in the assassination of his rival Heraclides and Dion's own eventual murder by his soldiers. The chaos ended when Timoleon of Corinth forced Dionysius the Younger to abdicate; the former tyrant famously spent his final years in Corinth as a humble music teacher. Romm explains that these political failures directly informed the Republic, specifically the allegory of the cave and the concept of the philosopher king. While Plato's letters and Plutarch's accounts attempted to whitewash Dion as a virtuous leader, Romm suggests Plato was often politically naive regarding the brutal realities of Syracusan power. (2)
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