Only deciphered lines of text from an ancient papyrus scroll, which was buried under layers of volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, may reveal what happened in the last hours of Greek philosopher Plato's life.
The ancient scroll contains previously unknown details about how the Greek philosopher spent his last evening, listening to music on a flute played by a slave girl from Thrace.
Despite battling a fever and near death, the student of Socrates and mentor of Aristotle, who died in Athens in 348 BC, retained enough lucidity to criticize the musician for her lack of rhythm.
The deciphered lines of the text indicate that Plato's grave was located in a garden of the Academy, the first university in the world that he founded, right next to the museum, reports RTS.
Previously, it was only known that he was buried somewhere on the Academy property.
During a presentation of the study's findings at the National Library of Naples, Professor Graziano Ranocchia of the University of Pisa, who found the charred scroll with his team, described the discovery as "an extraordinary outcome that enriches our understanding of ancient history."
"Thanks to the most advanced photo diagnostic technique, we are finally able to read and decipher new sections of text, which previously seemed impossible," Ranokija pointed out.
The text also reveals that Plato was sold into slavery on the island of Aegina, at the earliest in 404 BC when the Spartans conquered it, or in 399, shortly after Socrates' death.
"Until now, we believed that Plato was sold into slavery in 387 BC during his stay in Sicily at the court of Dionysius I of Syracuse," Ranocchia added.
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