The Trials of Socrates: Six Classic Texts

by Plato, Aristophanes, Xenophon

Lampooned in 406 B.C.E. in a blistering Aristophanic satire, Socrates was tried in 399 B.C.E. on a charge of corrupting the youth, convicted by a jury of about five hundred of his peers, and condemned to death. Glimpsed today through the extant writings of his contemporaries and near-contemporaries, he remains for us as compelling, enigmatic, and elusive a figure as Jesus or Buddha. Although present-day (like ancient Greek) opinion on "the real Socrates" diverges widely, six classic texts that any informed judgment of him must take into account appear together, for the first time, in this volume. Those of Plato and Xenophon appear in new, previously unpublished translations that combine accuracy, accessibility, and readability; that of Aristophanes' Clouds offers these same qualities in an unbowdlerized translation that captures brilliantly the bite of Aristophanes' wit. An Introduction to each text and judicious footnotes provide crucial background information and important cross-references.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Nonfiction, College, Plays, History, Read For School

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Plato (Greek: Πλάτων), born Aristocles (c. 427 – 348 BC), was an ancient Greek philosopher of the Classical period who is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms. He raised problems for what became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy, and was the founder of the Platonic Academy, a philosophical school in Athens where Plato taught the doctrines that would later become known as Platonism.
Plato's most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He was decisively influenced by the pre-Socratic thinkers Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although much of what is known about them is derived from Plato himself.
Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy. Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries. Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages. Through Neoplatonism, he also greatly influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy. In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato."

Reviews

[Samara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, classic texts with amazing and mind boggling philosophical discussions...

But I couldn't help but notice how much Sherlock Holmes was based on Socrates. The more I read, the more I concluded that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was at least somewhat inspired by the great, but annoying philosopher who sarcastically proved that everyone around him was an idiot and his best friend who recorded all the stories. Further evidence, Doyle paraphrases Plato.

After Socrates' forced suicide: "Such was the end of our friend, Socrates, a man who, we would say, was the best of all those we've experienced and, generally speaking, the wisest and the most just"

After Sherlock's faked suicide, John writes of the end of "him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known."

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

what is pious what is impious

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about Socrates and his teachings was rather thought provoking for me. I find it so interesting that what a philosopher struggled with 2500 years ago is still relevant today. Even so many years later, we are still asking ourselves what is a good life, what it means to be virtuous and just and wise. IN his own way, Socrates helps us to answer these questions: “For my part, I thought to myself as I left, "I’m wiser than that person. For it’s likely that neither of us knows anything fine and good, but he thinks he knows something he doesn’t know, whereas I, since I don’t in fact know, don’t think that I do either. At any rate, it seems that I’m wiser than he in just this one small way: that what I don’t know, I don’t think I know.”

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plato's Socratic dialogues included here are well worth reading, and Xenophon's account of the trial is a nice work to end this short collection on. Aristophane's play, while funny, strikes me as rather reactionary.

[vaishnave]

"What a way to treat me, my friend! Going off like that and dashing the high hopes I had that I'd learn from you what things are pious and what aren't."

plato's socrates > xenophon's socrates


read for intellectual heritage i

[Joshua Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great translation! Really well done. Recommended.

[Skyler Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much worth a read. Plato's "The Apology of Socrates" especially. It should never be considered illegal or even immoral to question the beliefs and actions of any society, even to one you belong. As long as you are not advocating unwarranted violence, open dialogue and discussion only serves to strengthen humanity and its many cultures. This stands as one of the oldest written records where fear of the new pushed back against dialogue. Unfortunately, history has provided many more such examples since this one. I give this book a "liked it" as its importance is only somewhat drowned out by the dryness of the stories included. This is more of an academic book of interest rather than an masterfully written source of literature. Socrates and his followers were considered masters of spoken dialogue anyways.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six texts by three authors.

Plato paints a picture of the philosopher. Socrates fights circular reasoning and unfounded belief. He doesn't ever give answers to his questioning, which is frustrating but honest. "I don't know anything beyond the fact that I don't know anything," thus Socrates is the wisest man in Athens. His death scene from the Phaedo was very affecting for me, especially reading it sleep-deprived on a plane.

Aristophanes's comedy is full of dick jokes and banter about gay sex, so I'm not sure why it isn't a primary text for teaching the Greeks. Socrates makes an appearance as someone who mostly talks for the sake of it.

Xenophon gives a Cliff's Notes version of the trial. It's good if you only want to read five pages.

[Tom K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having looked at translations of Euthyphro, Apologia, and Crito by Grube, Rouse, and Jowett, I think the Reeve ones are the most readable, conveying both the philosophical content and the drama of these dialogues best. The Meineck translation of Clouds is great too.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read! I struggled with reading through Socratic philosophy during undergrad, but this translation makes it far more accessible. You also can't go wrong with including one of Aristophanes's comedies; it may be immature, but he was a master of crude jokes and I love them every time.

[Lucas R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This specific version was really useful because there are a lot of cross references between texts. The footnotes and introductions made it an extremely easy read.

That being said this is a compilation so I will have notes about each:


Euthyphro:
This is my second time reading Euthyphro, and it has added a lot of the subtleties often found in Plato rereadings. On my first read, I didn't appreciate how much Socrates positions in the book mirror what men on the verge of their death bed are bound to think about. Socrates is certain that he is on the way to his grave when he stumbles upon Euthyphro. I find that Euthyphro, the man, represents religion meeting the rational mind (Socrates) when it is unfortunate enough to be in a situation of certain death.
But Socrates has trained his whole life for this moment, and one thing that becomes clear after you read Xenophon's account is this: Socrates not only didn't fear death, he embraced and clamored for it.
Another interesting parallel I found is that Euthyphro doesn't concede that Socrates is right at the end (which is fairly uncommon in Platonic dialogues). I think this speaks to the

[Alexander Segatta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat dry, took me a long time to get through. Good as a side book while reading something more interesting.

[Rene' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating how the more things change the more they're the same!

[Elsie DiLisio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second to last text, the play “Clouds”,
was HILARIOUS.

[Eunsu Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to reread because whiplash. Why did all of them give Socrates such comically different personalities

[Ladiebug · Rating 4 out of 5]

He doesn’t stop talking

[Thomas Sibilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read for those first getting into Greek philosophy and Athenian history. This compilation of texts allows for readers to view all the different ways Socrates was perceived in his life and after his death. This book is made to be read at home, preferably within a week. Reading this over the course of a month and a half during school made it increasingly boring over time, especially during the Clouds text.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. It helps to have some background knowledge of the Peloponnesian War to fully appreciate the trial I think. Also a general knowledge of Homer and Greek mythology couldn't hurt. I really, REALLY like that Clouds is included in this collection though. All in all, certainly a text I intend to reread.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this translation very much. I think Thomas West's translation of Plato is significantly more clear and meaningful.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trial of Socrates, as depicted by the writings of Plato, Aristophanes, and Xenophon.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of those volumes everyone should read, period. Even if you hate it.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't get philosophy and I don't get this book. I mean I understand its importance, but I needed a cliff note's version to get through it.