Socrates - Trial and Death

Here we have two books: Plato’s The Last Days of Socrates and Xenophon’s Conversations of Socrates. Together offer a full surviving portrait of the philosopher’s life, ideas, and death.

Plato’s volume presents a dramatic and philosophical narrative of Socrates’ final days through four dialogues — Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo — tracing his calm reasoning before trial, his fearless defence in court, his moral refusal to escape prison, and his serene discussion of the soul before drinking the hemlock.

Xenophon’s collection complements this by portraying a more practical, down-to-earth Socrates in conversation with friends and students. Through Memorabilia and his own Apology, we see a man devoted to virtue, self-discipline, and rational living rather than mystical speculation. Reading both, you learn not only why Socrates was condemned but what made his way of thinking — the examined life, ethical integrity, and courage in the face of death — the foundation of Western philosophy.

The Last days of Socrates - Plato

Plato's "The Last days of Socrates" consists of four dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo. These dialogues provide a detailed account of Socrates' trial, his defense against the charges brought against him, and his final moments before execution.

Euthyphro - Plato - 144pg

Awaiting his trial on charges of impiety and heresy, Socrates encounters Euthyphro, a self-proclaimed authority on matters of piety and the will of the gods. Socrates, desiring instruction in these matters, converses with Euthyphro, but as usual, the man who professes to know nothing fares better than the man who claims to be an expert.
One of Plato’s well-known Socratic Dialogues, Euthyphro probes the nature of piety, and notably poses the so-called Euthyphro Dilemma: Do the gods love a thing because it is holy, or is a thing holy because it is loved by the gods?

Apology - Plato - 127pg

The Apology of Socrates is Plato's version of the speech given by Socrates as he unsuccessfully defended himself in 399BCE against the charges of "corrupting the young, and by not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel" (24b). "Apology" here has its earlier meaning (now usually expressed by the word "apologia") of speaking in defense of a cause or of one's beliefs or actions.

Crito - Plato - 200pg

Plato's Socrates, in prison and being urged to flee execution, raises in acute form, and for the first time in European thought, a central question: is it right to disobey the state? Socrates' controversial answer in "Crito" has generated much contemporary literature, but no English commentary of the Greek text for seventy-five years. This new edition aims to provide an up-to-date literary and philosophical analysis suitable for a wide range of readers, including those with post-beginners Greek. It represents an ideal introduction, not only to the social and philosophical world of Classical Greece, but also to the personality of one of its greatest thinkers

Phaedo - Plato - 144pg

Plato's Phaedo is one of the great dialogues of his middle period, along with the Republic and the Symposium. The Phaedo, which depicts the death of Socrates, is also Plato's seventh and last dialogue to detail the philosopher's final days, following Theaetetus, Euthyphro, Sophist, Statesman, Apology, and Crito.

Conversations of Socrates - Xenephon

Conversations of Socrates (also known as Memorabilia) - Xenophon

Is a collection of dialogues and recollections that defend Socrates against the accusations that led to his trial and execution. Through a series of discussions with friends, critics, and students, Xenophon portrays Socrates as a wise, practical, and deeply moral teacher devoted to self-knowledge, virtue, and the improvement of others. The work emphasizes Socrates’ piety, rational approach to ethics, and his belief that knowledge and virtue are inseparable. Rather than focusing on abstract philosophy, Xenophon presents a more down-to-earth Socrates who offers guidance on everyday conduct, leadership, friendship, and the pursuit of the good life.

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