Plato and Aristotle
Diachronic symbols of the Greek philosophical thought

Portrait of Plato
Provenance: Athens. Height: 0.18 m. Marble: pentelic.
Chronology: Roman copy of an original dating about 360 BC.
EAM 3735

The figure is depicted with wrinkles on the forehead and knitted eyebrows suggesting thoughtfulness. The original portrait probably derives from the head of a renowned statue, carved by the Athenian sculptor Silanion. The statue was erected in the Gymnasium of Academy, where the great philosopher, who brought the Athenian philosophy to its peak, taught.