Long regarded as the most accurate rendering ofPlato's Republic that has yet been published, this widely acclaimed work is the first strictly literal translation of a timeless classic. This second edition includes a new introduction by Professor Bloom, whose careful translation and interpretation ofThe Republic was first published in 1968. In addition to the corrected text itself there is also a rich and valuable essay?as well as indexes?which will better enable the reader to approach the heart of Plato's intention.