Trial of Socrates: Context, Charges, Wisdom, Defense, Verdict

The Context and Setting of the Defense - The apology – from the Greek word “apologia” - Athenian direct democracy - Citizens directly make decisions in large bodies - Judicial branch - Potential pool of roughly 6000 jurors - Athenian juries – private suits 201, public suits 501 or more - In public case each side given three hours to state their case then these large Juries decide verdict - If verdict is guilty both those bringing the charges and the defendant have the Right to propose a potential sentence and the jury then votes on whose they Prefer Socrates on Trial - What is Socrates charged with at this trial - Corrupting the youths - Promoting supernatural forces other than accepted gods - The new charges v the old charges - Socrates notes that the legal charges above are the new charges - The old charges are that he is a criminal, a busybody, and one who inquiries into what Is below the earth and what is in the sky - Socrates is basically what we call a public nuisance The Wisdom of Socrates - The oracle at Delphi - Site/source of prophetic wisdom - Says what about Socrates - He is wisest man in all of Athens - Socrates sets out to find out why the oracle would say this – goes to respected figures of Society - Sophists/poets/craftsmen - Interrogates their wisdom The Defense of Socrates - Search for true wisdom what makes him so controversial - His defense - Obeying a divine command - Plays a vital social role The Verdict - Does Socrates convince the jury - No… he is found guilty - Suggested punishments - Accusers suggest death - Socrates suggests - Free meals at the Prytaneum - Possibility of exile - A fine