The Trial and Death of Socrates

The trial and execution of Socrates took place in 399 BCE. Socrates was tried on two charges: corrupting the youth and impiety. Socrates accusers cited that Socrates failed to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges and that he introduced new deities. Socrates death was the result of him asking philosophical questions. A majority of the Athenian citizens, known as dikasts, who were chosen by lot to serve as jurors voted to convict him. Consistent with common practice, the dikasts determined Socrates' punishment with another vote. Socrates was ultimately sentenced to death by drinking a hemlock based liquid. Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. Socrates ancient medieval and classical work has had great influence on both philosophy as well as politics & social sciences.