3 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Isn't it amazing that injustice never rests? The trial and death of Socrates in 399 BC by five hundred Greek citizens was anything but fair. He was found guilty of being an outspoken nerd and telling people to their faces their faults. That, the jurors probably believed was evidence enought to get rid of this unusual person who had such high-flying notions that he thought it his right and duty to correct society. The peculiar thing about his trial, as many modern day writers tell of it, there was no actual crime committed. The crime here was hatred of him, and it was committed by his accusers. He taught young boys yet did not abuse them physically. He was, as seen by many associates, a benign teacher who insisted that his students rise above the usual Athenian thought processes of his time.

He was often ridiculed and even slapped around a little but took these insults and assaults in his stride. This was one of his way he showed his superiority to the common place. How do we know this? His famous student, Plato, in one of his monologues he presented after the death of Socrates, he pretended to be Socrates and answered for him. Plato had dual intentions here, one to further his own career as philosopher and to protect the reputation of his famous teacher.

It worked. The Greek environment in which the three teachers often associated together, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle has lived on in the writings of this free spirited time in Greek History. In fact, from them the western world found a blueprint for their ongoing academic institutions. Socrates was the older and as far as I know left little more than his teachings and his different way of looking at problems and solutions of management, education and politics.

Plato carried on his work while injecting it with his own personality and philosophical writings and monologues. One of these being the "Apology" in which he defends his former teacher. Aristotle, who learned under Plato, started a famous school in Athens. From these the Western World learned and is still learning.

As far as what is known, no one directly accused him of any specific crime and why at age seventy they decided to try him and convict him leaves us nothing to do but speculate: As in other historical incidents of great magnitude, writers never quite let any of these famous trials get cold. They keep digging for unknown facts and together with what is generally known they rearrange these into new and ever hopeful literary puzzles.

At the

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The trial and death of Socrates?
We want to hear your view. Write now!