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The gravity and verisimilitude with which the tale is told, and

the analogy of Greek tradition, are a sufficient verification of

the 'monstrous falsehood.' Ancient poetry had spoken of a gold

and silver and brass and iron age succeeding one another, but

Plato supposes these differences in the natures of men to exist

together in a single state. Mythology supplies a figure under

which the lesson may be taught (as Protagoras says, 'the myth is

more interesting'), and also enables Plato to touch lightly on

new principles without going into details. In this passage he

shadows forth a general truth, but he does not tell us by what

steps the transposition of ranks is to be effected. Indeed

throughout the Republic he allows the lower ranks to fade into

the distance. We do not know whether they are to carry arms, and

whether in the fifth book they are or are not included in the

communistic regulations respecting property and marriage.