Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 6.1 Retreat of the SocraticsWhat happened after the death of Socrates? Diogenes Laertius, writing in the third century AD gives a rather breathless synopsis of Plato’s…3 min read·3 days ago----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.9 Farewell to SocratesOn the 6th of Thargelion, the eleventh month of the Athenian year, roughly May-June, Socrates’ reprieve ended. The sacred galley had…3 min read·6 days ago----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.8 Prisoner of ConscienceNormally a condemned prisoner in Athens had to drink the hemlock soon after his trial. There was no appeals process, no review, no lengthy…3 min read·May 10, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.7 Socrates’ Trial: The EvidenceFor the third time in his life, Socrates had done what he saw as his duty in the public forum, without regard to his personal welfare. He…5 min read·May 6, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.6 Socrates’ Trial: The SentenceWhen the trial was over, the jurors stood up by rows and went to the “lampstand” where each juror exchanged the token he was given for two…3 min read·May 3, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.5 Socrates’ Trial: The ChallengeNow Socrates turns the tables. Reminding the jurors of his endorsement by the Oracle at Delphi, he says:4 min read·Apr 30, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.4 Socrates’ Trial: The DefenseThe trial took place on the 7th of Munychiōn (the tenth lunar month of the Athenian calendar, counting from the summer solstice, so in…4 min read·Apr 26, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.3: Socrates’ Trial: The AccusationMeletus accused Socrates, as historical sources agree, of impiety and corrupting the youth, and demanded the death penalty. The implication…3 min read·Apr 23, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.2 Settling Old ScoresThe legal system in Athens was democratic in a way never previously seen. There was no district attorney charged with prosecuting offenders…3 min read·Apr 18, 2024----
Daniel W. Graham, PhDinThe First PhilosophersPlato 5.1 Restoring the Rule of LawThe restored democracy set about remaking the government and reestablishing a rule of law. One of the first tasks was to codify and…4 min read·Apr 15, 2024----