The curriculum for the education of statesmen at the time of Plato included arithmetic, geometry, solid geometry, astronomy, and music-all of which, the Pythagorean Archytas tells us, fell under the general definition of mathematics. According to legend, when Alexander the Great asked his teacher Menaechmus {who is reputed to have discovered the curves of the ellipse, the parabola, and the hyperbola} for a shortcut to geometry, he got the reply: O King, for traveling over the country there are royal roads and roads for common citizens; but in geometry there is one road for all.
The education of statesmen in Plato's time encompassed various subjects, including arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music, all classified under mathematics according to Pythagorean teachings. These subjects were considered essential for developing the skills necessary for leadership and governance.
Anecdotes from history illustrate the value placed on learning; for example, when Alexander the Great sought an easier method of learning geometry from Menaechmus, he was reminded that, unlike other pursuits, geometry offers a single, universal path to understanding. This highlights the importance of dedication to learning complex subjects without shortcuts.
