- Played by dozens of actors, most notably Ermete Zacconi, Tony Steedman, Eric Idle, James Mason, Peter Ustinov, Elliott Gould, Jean Sylvère, and John Belushi. And Eddie Izzard.
- Among his pupils was Plato, who, along with the plays of Aristophanes, is the main source of what historians know of his life.
- Born circa 470 B.C. in Athens. Executed in 399 B.C. by being forced by to drink a cup of hemlock after being found guilty of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and "corrupting the youth." Two of his students had twice briefly overthrown the government of Athens, instituting a reign of terror in which thousands of citizens were deprived of their property and either banished from the city or executed.
- Credited as the founder of Western philosophy. Subject of the Jacques Louis David painting "The Death of Socrates".
- The people who brought about his execution would themselves be driven to suicide.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content