Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

​It is thought that Plato was also the first to bring to Athens the neglected books of Sophron the mime-writer, and to model his characterizations after him; and these books were even said to have been found beneath his head. He sailed to Sicily three times: the first time for the sight of the island and the craters, on which occasion Dionysius, the son of Hermocrates, being tyrant, compelled him to converse with him. But when Plato discourse upon tyranny and asserted that the advantage of the stronger is not alone sufficient in itself unless one also excel in virtue, he gave offense to him. For Dionysius, growing angry, said: "Your words smell of dotage," and he replied: "And yours smell of tyranny."

​Indignant at this, the tyrant at first made an impulse to put him to death; then, being dissuaded by Dion and Aristomenes, he refrained from this, but handed him over to Pollis the Spartan, who had arrived opportunely on an embassy, to be sold into slavery. And Pollis, bringing him to Aegina, put him up for sale. Thereupon Charmandrus, the son of Charmandrides, brought a capital indictment against him in accordance with the law enacted among them, that the first of the Athenians to set foot on the island should die without trial. And he was himself the one who had instituted the law, as Favorinus says in his Miscellaneous History. But when someone said, though in jest, that the one who had set foot was a philosopher, they released him. Some, however, say that he was brought before the assembly, and under close guard uttered not a single word, but readily awaited whatever should happen; and they resolved not to put him to death, but decided to sell him after the manner of prisoners of war.

​Then Anniceris of Cyrene, who happened to be present, ransomed him for twenty minas—others say thirty—and sent him back to Athens to his companions. They immediately dispatched the money; which he did not accept, saying that they were not the only ones worthy to care for Plato. Some say that Dion also sent the money and that Anniceris would not accept it, but rather bought for Plato the little garden in the Academy. Pollis, however, is reported to have been defeated by Chabrias, and afterward to have drowned at Helice, the divinity having grown wrathful on account of the philosopher, as Favorinus also states in the first book of his Memorabilia.

​Dionysius, however, would not keep quiet; upon learning of this, he wrote to Plato not to speak ill of him. And Plato wrote back that he did not have so much leisure as to remember Dionysius. For the second time he went to the younger Dionysius, asking for land and people who would live according to his constitution; but the tyrant, though having promised, did not do so. Some say that he also ran into danger on the charge of inciting Dion and Theodotes toward the freedom of the island; at which time Archytas the Pythagorean, having written a letter to Dionysius, interceded for him and brought him safely to Athens. And the letter is as follows: "Archytas to Dionysius, greetings.

​We, all the friends of Plato, have sent to you Lamiscus and Photidas and their party, in order to receive the man back in accordance with the agreement made with you. You would do well to recall that eager zeal of yours, when you urged all of us regarding Plato's arrival, requesting us to persuade him and undertaking, among other things, the responsibility for his safety both while remaining and upon his departure. Remember also this, that you valued his arrival highly and loved him from that time as no one else among those about you. If any harshness has arisen, you ought to act humanely and restore the man to us unharmed. For by doing these things you will act justly and do us a favor."