Plato Founds the Academy

What happened

Socrates' student Plato founded the Academy on the outskirts of Athens — a school of philosophy, mathematics, and science often called the first university of the Western world. There he developed his Theory of Forms and taught, among others, Aristotle.

Why it matters

Through the Academy and his dialogues, Plato became one of the most influential thinkers in history, shaping Western philosophy for over two thousand years.

Sources

• World History Encyclopedia. Plato · Reputable source