Context: Socrates was widely hated in Athens, mainly because he regularly embarrassed people by making them appear ignorant and foolish. He was also an outspoken critic of democracy, which Athenians cherished, and he was associated with some members of the Thirty Tyrants, who briefly overthrew Athens’s democratic government in 404–403 BCE. He was arguably guilty of the crimes with which he was charged, impiety and corrupting the youth, because he did reject the city’s gods and he did inspire disrespect for authority among his youthful followers (though that was not his intention). He was accordingly convicted and sentenced to death by poison.
https://www.britannica.com/question/Why-did-Athens-condemn-Socrates-to-death
by Salty_Strain3313
1 Comment
Summary leaves out critical context. (Understandably.)
From what Ive heard, their system of govt didnt have a crime on the books called “corrupting the youth.”
You could be called before the court by nearly anyone (ignoring all the slaves etc) and for nearly anything. Then you plead your case. Sort of like state enforced mediation.
A man who was looking to make a name for himself brought these charges against Socrates.
Legal custom dictated Socrates was to choose a punishment for himself if he was found guilty.
The person bringing the case would pick a punishment. And then the people hearing the case, our “mediators”, would pick between the two.
Socrates, unafraid of death, claimed his punishment should be that he should be given a high status academic position. When found guilty, the court had to choose between a death sentence or giving him a promotion.