The Republic is a philosophical dialogue written by Ancient Greek philosopher Plato, presumably written in 380 BC. In it, Plato analyzes the concept of justice and its social, political, psychological, and cultural properties; he presents his ideas and theories on the topic through a series of dialogues between Socrates and various other Greeks and foreigners, who create several hypothetical scenarios and societies, in order to examine justice and fairness as sociopolitical ideals. Furthermore, Plato also describes the ideal State, as well as the ideal ruler or leader.

The dialogue is divided into ten books in which, aside from presenting his arguments about justice, Plato also ponders on the meaning of integrity, morality, ethics, the complexity of human nature and the soul, immortality, leadership, politics, democracy and tyranny as opposing systems of government, psychology, and poetry.

It is difficult to determine when exactly Plato wrote The Republic, but many scholars and literary analysts agree that the dialogue was both written and completed around 380 BC. The text is considered to be the most important and most influential Socratic dialogue and political treatise in Western literature, philosophy, and history. It has inspired numerous other authors and philosophers, and it is commonly regarded as one of the first texts on political philosophy ever written. You can read Plato's Republic here.