Plato (c. 427–347 BCE) was a towering figure in ancient Greek philosophy, instrumental in laying the foundational structures of Western philosophical thought. A student of Socrates and the mentor of Aristotle, Plato's contributions span a multitude of philosophical areas, from metaphysics and epistemology to ethics and politics. His dialogues, characterized by a distinctive blend of poetic myth and rigorous argument, have been preserved in 'The Complete Works of Plato'. These texts are not only testament to Plato's philosophical ingenuity but also serve as precious historical documents detailing the intellectual climate of Athens in the Classical period. Among his most influential works are 'The Republic', 'The Symposium', and 'Phaedrus', wherein he explores his theory of forms, the notion of justice, and the nature of love, respectively. Plato's writing style is marked by its dialectical approach, a method involving the scrutiny and cross-examination of ideas in pursuit of truth. The Academy he founded in Athens was an unprecedented institution of higher learning and research, an intellectual hub that survived for nearly a millennium. His profound impact on philosophy and the broader scope of western intellectual history is widely acknowledged and continues to be studied and celebrated to this day.