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Plato
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Timaeus Mass Market Paperback – January 1, 1965

3.8 out of 5 stars 27
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This text is extracted from Cornford's longer Plato's Cosmology. Timaeus (c. 360 BCE) is one of Plato's dialogs, mostly in the form of a long monologue given by the title character. The work puts forward speculation on the nature of the physical world & human beings. It's followed by the dialog Critias. Speakers are Socrates, Timaeus of Locri, Hermocrates & Critias. Some believe that it isn't the Critias of the Thirty Tyrants who appears, but his grandfather of the same name. The dialog takes place the day after Socrates described his ideal state. In Plato's works such a discussion occurs in the Republic. Socrates feels that his description of the ideal state wasn't sufficient for the purposes of entertainment & that "I'd be glad to hear some account of it engaging in transactions with other states" (19b). Hermocrates wishes to oblige & mentions that Critias knows just the account (20b) to do so. Critias proceeds to tell the story of Solon's journey to Egypt where he hears the story of Atlantis & how Athens used to be an ideal state that subsequently waged war against Atlantis (25a). Critias believes he's getting ahead of himself, & mentions that Timaeus will tell part of the account from the origin of the cosmos to man. The history of Atlantis is postponed to Critias. The main content of the dialog, Timaeus' exposition, follows.
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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Penguin
  3. Publication date
    January 1, 1965
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0013FIJP4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (January 1, 1965)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.53 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 27

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Plato

Plato

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Plato (428-348 BCE) was a philosopher and mathematician in ancient Greece. A student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle, his Academy was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely regarded as the father of modern philosophy.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Brian
5.0 out of 5 stars This IS Zeyl's translation
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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This edition of Plato's Timaeus, that says, 'translated and edited by Peter Kalkavage' (2nd edition) IS the edition translated by Donald Zeyl. It is a small grey paperback that includes Zeyl's wonderful and important 75 page introduction. I wasn't certain because the cover, with a man inside a yellow square, and the stated translator said,Kalkavage. This is Zeyl's!! Don't worry, get it. And if you wanted a different version, get this! Zeyl's is fantastic .
And, though the intro is long, it's an excellent, useful, quick read. He clearly discusses the differences between his version and the popular others - and discusses why he made his choices. You won't regret this purchase.
2 people found this helpful
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IAB
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2011
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Zeyl's translation is easy to read; for a translation that follows the Greek a little more closely (and therefore is arguably less readable) see Peter Kalkavage's translation. The two translations and their notes are complementary.
9 people found this helpful
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Ryan
4.0 out of 5 stars go for the Zeyl translation
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2008
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Amazon seems to have linked together all the comments on the Timaeus (no matter the translator). It is very possible that you are reading this under a different translation, not the Jowett translation as the commenter suggests. In any case, I recommend the Donald Zeyl translation. It DOES have Stephanus numbering -- very appropriate for class discussions and scholarly work. In my opinion, it is the best English translation available -- and I've spent years working through the text in Greek. Another translation that is nice to have around for alternative readings of key passages (all translation involves interpretation) is Peter Kalkavage's.
35 people found this helpful
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ladyjanegray
1.0 out of 5 stars Kindle Edition
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2015
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The Kindle edition contains just the text of the dialogue: no notes, no commentary, no introduction.

Even at 99 cents, it seems overpriced.
2 people found this helpful
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Daniel C. Vogt
2.0 out of 5 stars Guidance is rewuired.
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2015
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Very interesting, but definitely should be read in conjunction with a commentary.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2016
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Awesome dialogue, arguably the best translation. Would recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Lex Tech
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2016
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Great book, I enjoy it big time😃
2 people found this helpful
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Big Dog
1.0 out of 5 stars I don't think he's saying what you think he's saying.
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2014
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It seems to me that this entire book is intended to be taken as tongue in cheek.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Peter Rayfield
5.0 out of 5 stars one of the world's most important philosophical work
Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2021
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To study philosophical issues
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ogooreck
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2015
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great book
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john woodward
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2014
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Extraordinary insights described by those ancient Greek teachers of humanity.
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cruciverbalist
1.0 out of 5 stars Translation only, no introduction and no Stephanus numbering
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2013
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I downloaded this after reading a review that said the Zeyl translation was accompanied by an excellent introduction AND had the Stephanus numbering. Having downloaded it I find that neither is true. Fortunately I only wasted just over a £1, but it's annoying nevertheless. There is definitely not enough detail provided about Kindle translations of Plato!
2 people found this helpful
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killyerfaceoff
1.0 out of 5 stars He came down with something or other" Laughably bad modern translation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2015
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"Timaeus: He came down with something or other"

Zeyl's laughably bad modern English translation misses the richness Plato's text. Buy the Loeb edition instead
One person found this helpful
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