History is full of stories of great men. Hundreds of politicians, philosophers, artists and writers have left a unique mark on humanity. But only a select few can say they have “changed history”. The legendary Athenian Socrates was one such figure. Socrates ushered in an era of philosophical inquiry that persists today. In the seventh book of Plato's Republic, Socrates outlines his perfect regime. According to Socrates, such a regime must be governed by an enlightened "philosopher king". Now suppose that this Republic actually came into being and that Socrates was asked to rule it as a philosopher king. Would he do it? Answering this question poses three important questions: Is Socrates a true philosopher? Does it have the appropriate virtues? Finally, and most importantly, if Socrates has the ability to rule, why is he silent about it? One way to decipher whether Socrates would have accepted the position of philosopher king is to examine whether he possesses the appropriate virtues. These virtues are set out in Book VI of the Republic. In passage 487a, Socrates states that the philosopher will be moderate, courageous, and just.1 Although all people possess these qualities, they are perfect in the philosopher's body. Socrates' life was the embodiment of these virtues. He was courageous because he lived in constant concern for the eternal; therefore, he was oblivious to the luxuries of life. Plato, Aristophanes, and Ameipsias all show him as a humble man whose only worldly pleasure was the pursuit of knowledge.2 This pursuit was not easy. Socrates was constantly ridiculed by the Athenians and was ostracized for his opinions. But he continued his search. He never succumbed to social prejudices against p...... middle of paper ......: accessed 17 April 2014.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SocratesNotes1 Bloom, Allan [ trans] . Plato's Republic. P. 1672 "Socrates". Encyclopedia Brittanica Online: accessed April 17, 2000.http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/0/0,5716,117549+2+109554,00.html3 Wests, Thomas G, and Grace Starr. Plato's Apology of Socrates. Taken from Texts on Socrates. P. 814 Bloom, Allan [trans.]. Plato's Republic. P. 3595 Ibid. P. 136 Hebert, Joe. Exercise notes. March 21, 20007 Extrapolated from 25c by Wests, Thomas G and Grace Starr. Plato's Apology of Socrates. Taken from Texts on Socrates. P. 758 Bloom, Allan [trans.]. Plato's Republic. P. 4999 Ibid. P. 40710 Wests, Thomas G and Grace Starr. Plato's Apology of Socrates. Taken from Texts on Socrates. P. 83