The Last Days of Socrates

'Consider just this, and give your minds to this alone: whether or not what I say is just' Plato's account of Socrates' trial and death (399 BC) is a significant moment in Classical literature and the life of Classical Athens. In these four dialogues, Plato develops the Socratic belief in responsibility for one's self and shows Socrates living and dying under his philosophy. In Euthyphro , Socrates debates goodness outside the courthouse; Apology sees him in court, rebutting all charges of impiety; in Crito , he refuses an entreaty to escape from prison; and in Phaedo , Socrates faces his impending death with calmness and skilful discussion of immortality. Christopher Rowe's introduction to his powerful new translation examines the book's themes of identity and confrontation, and explores how its content is less historical fact than a promotion of Plato's Socratic philosophy.

'Consider just this, and give your minds to this alone: whether or not what I say is just' Plato's account of Socrates' trial and death (399 BC) is a significant moment in Classical literature and the life of Classical Athens. In these four dialogues, Plato develops the Socratic belief in responsibility for one's self and shows Socrates living and dying under his philosophy. In Euthyphro , Socrates debates goodness outside the courthouse; Apology sees him in court, rebutting all charges of impiety; in Crito , he refuses an entreaty to escape from prison; and in Phaedo , Socrates faces his impending death with calmness and skilful discussion of immortality. Christopher Rowe's introduction to his powerful new translation examines the book's themes of identity and confrontation, and explores how its content is less historical fact than a promotion of Plato's Socratic philosophy.

The Last Days of Socrates presents Plato's dialogues Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo.

Euthyphro/Apology/Crito/Phaedo 'Nothing can harm a good man either in life or after death' The trial and condemnation of Socrates on charges of heresy and corrupting young minds is a defining moment in the history of classical Athens. In tracing these events through four dialogues, Plato also developed his own philosophy of a life guided by self-responsibility. Euthyphro finds Socrates outside the court-house, debating the nature of piety, while the Apology is his robust rebuttal of the charges against him. In the Crito , awaiting execution in prison, Socrates counters the arguments of friends urging him to escape. Finally, in the Phaedo , he is shown calmly confident in the face of death. Translated by HUGH TREDENNICK and HAROLD TARRANT with an Introduction and notes by HAROLD TARRANT

Euthyphro/Apology/Crito/Phaedo 'Nothing can harm a good man either in life or after death' The trial and condemnation of Socrates on charges of heresy and corrupting young minds is a defining moment in the history of classical Athens. In tracing these events through four dialogues, Plato also developed his own philosophy of a life guided by self-responsibility. Euthyphro finds Socrates outside the court-house, debating the nature of piety, while the Apology is his robust rebuttal of the charges against him. In the Crito , awaiting execution in prison, Socrates counters the arguments of friends urging him to escape. Finally, in the Phaedo , he is shown calmly confident in the face of death. Translated by HUGH TREDENNICK and HAROLD TARRANT with an Introduction and notes by HAROLD TARRANT

The Last Days of Socrates presents Plato's dialogues Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo.