Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, born around 427 BCE in Athens. He was a student of Socrates and later became the teacher of Aristotle. Plato is best known for founding the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. His writings, often in the form of dialogues, explore various topics, including ethics, politics, and metaphysics. One of Plato's most famous works is "The Republic," where he discusses justice and the ideal state. He introduced the concept of the Theory of Forms, which suggests that non-material abstract forms represent the most accurate reality. His ideas have significantly influenced Western philosophy and thought.