# Megillus — Dialogues character guide

> Megillus in Dialogues by Plato.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Megillus O Athenian Stranger, O Megillus, Megillus Stranger, the Lacedaemonian Megillus, Megillus Heaven, Megillus Impossible, Megillus Good, Megillus Dear Cleinias

**First appearance:** 0097-laws

## Snapshot

A Spartan elder whose loyalty to Lycurgus runs deep, he listens to the Athenian's radical proposals with a mixture of admiration and quiet resistance.

## Who they are

Megillus represents the Spartan way of life at its most dignified: terse, disciplined, and suspicious of long speeches, yet willing to hear them when the occasion demands. His instinct is to defend his ancestral lawgiver against criticism, and he bristles when the Athenian questions Spartan institutions, especially regarding women. He matters because his resistance tests the Athenian's arguments in real time, showing how hard it is to move a good man from the laws he was raised to revere.

## Relationships

### [Cleinias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/cleinias)

_friendship_

Cleinias and Megillus are fellow lawgivers in the Laws, collaborating with the Athenian Stranger on the new constitution.

## In the story

### [Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/laws)

Spartan interlocutor who contributes to the conversation on law and custom.

### [Introduction and Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/introduction-and-analysis)

Mentioned as a potential companion to join the Cnosian founders in the colony.

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-i)

Contributes from the Spartan viewpoint, describing Spartan practices like the Crypteia and endurance training.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-iii)

Engages with the Athenian Stranger, responding to questions about courage, temperance, and Spartan governance.

### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-iv)

Present in the dialogue, addressed by Cleinias as a silent participant in the conversation.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-v)

Addressed by the Athenian Stranger as 'O Megillus' during the discussion on the influence of place on character.

### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-vi)

Present as a listener in the dialogue, though not directly quoted in the excerpts.

### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-vii)

The Spartan interlocutor who comments on the Athenian's view of mankind.

### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-viii)

Assents to the Athenian Stranger's views on love and the need for virtuous laws.

### [Book XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-xii)

Present as a silent participant in the dialogue.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/megillus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters