Socrates

Sokrates was the son of the sculptor Sophroniscos and the midwife Fainareté. In his youth he received a compulsory Athenian education (gymnastics, music, grammar). He married Xanthippe, with whom he had three sons. His hobbies included attending symposia, i.e. drinking parties.

Socrates left no writings. The main sources of information about him are the writings of his pupils, especially Xenophon and Plato. Further information can also be found in the works of Plato's pupil Aristotle.

During the first phase of the Peloponnesian War, he participated in the Battle of Potidaea, the Battle of Delius and the Battle of Amphipolis. He was close to being decorated for bravery. He is said to have gone barefoot in war. Sometimes he is said to have stood motionless in a military camp all day, absorbed in his thoughts.

After 422 BC, young political reformers gained power in Athens, which gave rise to the next phase of the Peloponnesian War. In that, Athens fell, ending its golden age. The administration of Athens was eventually taken over by the so-called government of the Thirty Tyrants, headed by Critias (a disciple of Socrates).

After the fall of this government, Socrates was accused of having given birth to the philosophy that led to the defeat of Athens. He was further investigated for impiety and corrupting the Athenian youth. Plato writes about this trial in his work The Defence of Socrates. In the first part of this dialogue by Plato, Socrates defends himself against the prosecution, but more importantly against the accusers. He says that God has commissioned him to devote himself to philosophy. The second part of the dialogue is from the time when he has been found guilty and has to choose an alternative punishment to the prosecution's proposal, which was death. For this he chose life-long boarding at the expense of the municipality in the so-called prytaneum, an honour shown to Olympic champions. He considered his action commendable, although he accepted a fine. The third part is from when the court sided with the prosecution's motion, and therefore the death penalty.

Socrates was offered to escape from prison with the help of Crito, but he refused this help. At the end of the dialogue, Sokrates drinks a cup of hemlock and dies.

Socrates was the first in philosophy to concentrate on matters of man and society. He also laid the foundations for critical thinking. The most famous statement attributed to Socrates is: "I know that I know nothing".