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20a sharing as it does in the nature and nurture of both. This Timaeus here, being of Locris in Italy, the best-ordered of cities, second to none there in wealth and birth, has held the greatest offices and honors of his city, and philosophy, in my judgment, he has brought to the very summit of them all. And Critias, everyone here knows, is no amateur in any of the things we speak of. As for Hermocrates' nature and nurture, 20b the many who can testify make it right to believe him equal to all this. That is why yesterday, when you asked me to go through the constitution, I consented gladly, knowing that the next speech none of you, even willing, could deliver more adequately—for you alone of men today, having set the city forth as equipped for war, could render her all that befits her—and so, when I had said what was laid upon me, I charged you in turn with what I say now. You agreed, then, after taking common counsel with one another, 20c to repay me today the guest-gifts of my speeches; and here I stand, adorned for the feast, of all men most ready to receive.

Hermocrates: And indeed, Socrates, as this Timaeus has said, we shall fall short in no eagerness, and there is no sort of excuse before us for not doing this; so much so that yesterday, as soon as we left here and came back with Critias to the guest-house where we lodge, and even before that, on the way, we were considering just these things. 20d This tale, then, he set before us, from an account handed down from of old: tell it now, Critias, to our friend here, so that he may join in judging whether it fits the charge laid on us or does not.

Critias: That we must do, if the third partner, Timaeus, agrees too.

Timaeus: He does, of course.

Critias: Listen, then, Socrates, to a tale that is very strange, yet altogether true, as the wisest of the Seven, 20e Solon, once said. He was, in fact, a kinsman and very great friend of our great-grandfather Dropides, as he himself says in many places in his poems;

Critias: and to Critias, our grandfather, he told it—as the old man in turn reported to us—that there had been great and marvelous deeds of this city long ago, blotted out by time and the destruction of men, and that one of them, the greatest of all,

20a who have a share in both, in nature and in upbringing. For Timaeus here comes from Locri in Italy, a city with excellent laws, and in wealth and family he is second to no one there; he has held the highest offices and honors in his city, and he has, in my judgment, reached the top of the whole of philosophy. And all of us here know that Critias is no layman in any of the things we talk about. As for Hermocrates, many people bear witness 20b that he is up to all of this in nature and upbringing, and so we should trust it. That is why yesterday, when you asked me to go through the subject of the state, I gladly did you the favor, with this in mind: I knew that no one could give a better account of what comes next than you, if you were willing. For you alone of the people of today could set the state up for a fitting war and give back to it everything that belongs with that. So after I said what I was told to say, I set you the task that I am setting you now. You agreed together, after considering it among yourselves, 20c to pay me back now with the guest-gift of speeches. So here I am, all decked out for them and readier than anyone to receive them.

Hermocrates: Indeed, just as Timaeus here said, Socrates, we will lack nothing in eagerness, and we have no excuse for not doing this. In fact, yesterday, as soon as we left here and came to Critias's guest quarters where we are staying—and even earlier, on the road—we were considering this very thing. 20d So he brought us a story from an old report. Tell it to him now, Critias, so that he can judge along with us whether it is suitable for the task or not.

Critias: That is what must be done, if our third partner Timaeus agrees too.

Timaeus: He does agree.

Critias: Listen, then, Socrates, to a story that is very strange but absolutely true, as Solon, the wisest of the seven, 20e once said. He was a relative and a close friend of our great-grandfather Dropides, as he himself says in many places in his poetry:

Critias: And he spoke to our grandfather Critias, as the old man in turn used to recall to us, of how this city in ancient times had done great and wonderful deeds that had been lost through time and through the death of the people who did them, and that one of them was the greatest of all,

20a a class which, alike by nature and nurture, shares the qualities of both the others. For our friend is a native of a most well-governed State, Italian Locris, and inferior to none of its citizens either in property or in rank; and not only has he occupied the highest offices and posts of honor in his State, but he has also attained, in my opinion, the very summit of eminence in all branches of philosophy. As to Critias, all of us here know that he is no novice in any of the subjects we are discussing. As regards Hermocrates, we must believe the many witnesses who assert that both by nature and by nurture 20b he is competent for all these inquiries. So, with this in my mind, when you requested me yesterday to expound my views of the polity I gratified you most willingly, since I knew that none could deal more adequately than you (if you were willing) with the next subject of discourse; for you alone, of men now living, could show our State engaged in a suitable war and exhibiting all the qualities which belong to it. Accordingly, when I had spoken upon my prescribed theme, I in turn prescribed for you this theme which I am now explaining. And you, after consulting together among yourselves, 20c agreed to pay me back today with a feast of words; so here I am, ready for that feast in festal garb, and eager above all men to begin.

Hermocrates: Of a truth, Socrates, as our friend has said, we will show no lack of zeal, nor have we any excuse for refusing to do as you say. Yesterday, in fact, immediately after our return from you to the guest-chamber at Critias where we are lodging—aye, and earlier still, on our way there—we were considering these very subjects. 20d Critias here mentioned to us a story derived from ancient tradition; and now, Critias, pray tell it again to our friend here, so that he may help us to decide whether or not it is pertinent to our prescribed theme.

Critias: That I must certainly do, if our third partner, also approves.

Timaeus: Assuredly I approve.

Critias: Listen then, Socrates, to a tale which, though passing strange, is yet wholly true, as Solon, 20e the wisest of the Seven, once upon a time declared. Now Solon—as indeed he often says himself in his poems—was a relative and very dear friend of our great-grandfather Dropides;

and Dropides told our grandfather Critias as the old man himself, in turn, related to us—that the exploits of this city in olden days, the record of which had perished through time and the destruction of its inhabitants, were great and marvellous, the greatest of all being one which it would be proper