Culture, Society, and Culture, Society, and Economy in 5Economy in 5thth Century Century

AthensAthens

February 15February 15thth, 2012, 2012

General RemarksGeneral Remarks Social and economic structures remain largely Social and economic structures remain largely

consistent with the Archaic Period.consistent with the Archaic Period.

Social values remain largely consistent with the Social values remain largely consistent with the Archaic Period.Archaic Period.

Political structures and intellectual environment Political structures and intellectual environment changed considerably over the course of the fifth changed considerably over the course of the fifth century.century.

Changing political and intellectual climate Changing political and intellectual climate interrelated.interrelated.

Demographic StructuresDemographic Structures The The oikosoikos = the central form of social = the central form of social

organization.organization.

The The oikosoikos = 1. Nuclear family. 2. Property. 3. = 1. Nuclear family. 2. Property. 3. Servants and slaves; center of production Servants and slaves; center of production and consumption; aimed at and consumption; aimed at autarchiaautarchia..

Avg. life expectancy: 1. Men = ca. 45 years. Avg. life expectancy: 1. Men = ca. 45 years. 2. Women = ca. 36 years.2. Women = ca. 36 years.

Avg. number of children, ca. 4.3 (ca. 2.7 Avg. number of children, ca. 4.3 (ca. 2.7 survive to adulthood).survive to adulthood).

MarriageMarriage Purpose of marriage = Progeny and property.Purpose of marriage = Progeny and property.

Arranged marriages; dowry (cash and moveable Arranged marriages; dowry (cash and moveable property) negotiated between husband and property) negotiated between husband and bride’s father.bride’s father.

Avg age = 30 for men, 15 for women.Avg age = 30 for men, 15 for women.

High rates of widowhood.High rates of widowhood.

The The EpiklerosEpikleros..

Hesiod on Choosing a WifeHesiod on Choosing a WifeWorks and DaysWorks and Days

““(ll. 695-705) Bring home a wife to your house when (ll. 695-705) Bring home a wife to your house when you are of the right age, while you are not far short you are of the right age, while you are not far short of thirty years nor much above; this is the right age of thirty years nor much above; this is the right age for marriage. Let your wife have been grown up four for marriage. Let your wife have been grown up four years, and marry her in the fifth. Marry a maiden, years, and marry her in the fifth. Marry a maiden, so that you can teach her careful ways, and so that you can teach her careful ways, and especially marry one who lives near you, but look especially marry one who lives near you, but look well about you and see that your marriage will not well about you and see that your marriage will not be a joke to your neighbours. For a man wins be a joke to your neighbours. For a man wins nothing better than a good wife, and, again, nothing nothing better than a good wife, and, again, nothing worse than a bad one, a greedy soul who roasts her worse than a bad one, a greedy soul who roasts her man without fire, strong though he may be, and man without fire, strong though he may be, and brings him to a raw (35) old age.” brings him to a raw (35) old age.” (Hesiod, (Hesiod, Works & DaysWorks & Days, , H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)

The Purpose of MarriageThe Purpose of MarriageXenophon, Xenophon, OeconomicusOeconomicus 7.3-6 7.3-6

““Since no doubt the underlying Since no doubt the underlying principle of the bond is first and principle of the bond is first and foremost through procreation the foremost through procreation the races of living creatures; and next, as races of living creatures; and next, as the outcome of this bond, for human the outcome of this bond, for human beings at any rate, a provision is made beings at any rate, a provision is made by which they may have sons and by which they may have sons and daughters to support them in old age.” daughters to support them in old age.” (D.B. Nagle & S.M. Burstein, 2005)(D.B. Nagle & S.M. Burstein, 2005)

The Idealized MarriageThe Idealized Marriage ““When I, Athenians, decided to marry, and When I, Athenians, decided to marry, and

brought a wife into my house, for some time was brought a wife into my house, for some time was disposed neither to vex her nor to leave her too disposed neither to vex her nor to leave her too free to do just as she pleased; I kept watch on her free to do just as she pleased; I kept watch on her as far as possible, with such observation of her as as far as possible, with such observation of her as was reasonable. But when a child was born to me, was reasonable. But when a child was born to me, thenceforward I began to trust her, and placed all thenceforward I began to trust her, and placed all my affairs in her hands, presuming that we were my affairs in her hands, presuming that we were now in perfect intimacy. It is true that in the early now in perfect intimacy. It is true that in the early days, Athenians, she was the most excellent of days, Athenians, she was the most excellent of wives; she was a clever, frugal housekeeper, and wives; she was a clever, frugal housekeeper, and kept everything in the nicest order.” (Lysias 1. kept everything in the nicest order.” (Lysias 1. Lim & Bailkey, 2005).Lim & Bailkey, 2005).

Division of Labour in the Division of Labour in the OikosOikos

Men – Worked the fields; managed Men – Worked the fields; managed agricultural slaves; plied a trade.agricultural slaves; plied a trade.

Women – Managed domestic slaves; Women – Managed domestic slaves; transformed raw materials into transformed raw materials into consumables.consumables.

A slave economy.A slave economy.

Economy of the PolisEconomy of the Polis

Autarky = the ideal; unrealistic.Autarky = the ideal; unrealistic.

Agriculture = the most common form of Agriculture = the most common form of employment.employment.

In elite In elite oikoioikoi manual labour performed by manual labour performed by slaves.slaves.

Most farmed their own land (assisted by Most farmed their own land (assisted by slaves).slaves).

Hesiod on the Value of Self-Hesiod on the Value of Self-SufficiencySufficiency

““(ll. 405-413) First of all, get a house, and a woman (ll. 405-413) First of all, get a house, and a woman and an ox for the plough -- a slave woman and not a and an ox for the plough -- a slave woman and not a wife, to follow the oxen as well -- and make wife, to follow the oxen as well -- and make everything ready at home, so that you may not have everything ready at home, so that you may not have to ask of another, and he refuses you, and so, to ask of another, and he refuses you, and so, because you are in lack, the season pass by and your because you are in lack, the season pass by and your work come to nothing. Do not put your work off till to-work come to nothing. Do not put your work off till to-morrow and the day after; for a sluggish worker does morrow and the day after; for a sluggish worker does not fill his barn, nor one who puts off his work: not fill his barn, nor one who puts off his work: industry makes work go well, but a man who putts off industry makes work go well, but a man who putts off work is always at hand-grips with ruin.” (Hesiod, work is always at hand-grips with ruin.” (Hesiod, Works & DaysWorks & Days, H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - , H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)

Trade Activity in Ancient Trade Activity in Ancient GreeceGreece

Trading activity expanding but still only a small Trading activity expanding but still only a small part of economic activitypart of economic activity

Facilitated by the development of coinage and Facilitated by the development of coinage and colonizationcolonization

Two kinds of traders: 1.Professional Merchants, Two kinds of traders: 1.Professional Merchants, 2.Wealthy landowners trading surpluses on their 2.Wealthy landowners trading surpluses on their own shipsown ships

Trading agricultural surplus was honorableTrading agricultural surplus was honorable

Trade considered a hard and disreputable way to Trade considered a hard and disreputable way to earn a livingearn a living

Attitudes Toward Mercantile ActivityAttitudes Toward Mercantile ActivityHomer, Homer, OdysseyOdyssey 8.159 ff 8.159 ff

Then again Euryalus made answer and Then again Euryalus made answer and taunted him to his face: “Nay verily, taunted him to his face: “Nay verily, stranger, for I do not liken thee to a man stranger, for I do not liken thee to a man that is skilled [160] in contests, such as that is skilled [160] in contests, such as abound among men, but to one who, abound among men, but to one who, faring to and fro with his benched ship, is a faring to and fro with his benched ship, is a captain of sailors who are merchantmen, captain of sailors who are merchantmen, one who is mindful of his freight, and has one who is mindful of his freight, and has charge of a home-borne cargo, and the charge of a home-borne cargo, and the gains of his greed. Thou dost not look like gains of his greed. Thou dost not look like an athlete.” (A.T. Murray, 1919)an athlete.” (A.T. Murray, 1919)

Trading SurplusTrading SurplusHesiod, Hesiod, Works and DaysWorks and Days

““(ll. 618-640) But if desire for uncomfortable sea-faring seize you; when (ll. 618-640) But if desire for uncomfortable sea-faring seize you; when the Pleiades plunge into the misty sea (33) to escape Orion's rude the Pleiades plunge into the misty sea (33) to escape Orion's rude strength, then truly gales of all kinds rage. Then keep ships no longer on strength, then truly gales of all kinds rage. Then keep ships no longer on the sparkling sea, but bethink you to till the land as I bid you. Haul up the sparkling sea, but bethink you to till the land as I bid you. Haul up your ship upon the land and pack it closely with stones all round to keep your ship upon the land and pack it closely with stones all round to keep off the power of the winds which blow damply, and draw out the bilge-off the power of the winds which blow damply, and draw out the bilge-plug so that the rain of heaven may not rot it. Put away all the tackle and plug so that the rain of heaven may not rot it. Put away all the tackle and fittings in your house, and stow the wings of the sea-going ship neatly, fittings in your house, and stow the wings of the sea-going ship neatly, and hang up the well-shaped rudder over the smoke. You yourself wait and hang up the well-shaped rudder over the smoke. You yourself wait until the season for sailing is come, and then haul your swift ship down to until the season for sailing is come, and then haul your swift ship down to the sea and stow a convenient cargo in it, so that you may bring home the sea and stow a convenient cargo in it, so that you may bring home profit, even as your father and mine, foolish Perses, used to sail on profit, even as your father and mine, foolish Perses, used to sail on shipboard because he lacked sufficient livelihood. And one day he came shipboard because he lacked sufficient livelihood. And one day he came to this very place crossing over a great stretch of sea; he left Aeolian to this very place crossing over a great stretch of sea; he left Aeolian Cyme and fled, not from riches and substance, but from wretched poverty Cyme and fled, not from riches and substance, but from wretched poverty which Zeus lays upon men, and he settled near Helicon in a miserable which Zeus lays upon men, and he settled near Helicon in a miserable hamlet, Ascra, which is bad in winter, sultry in summer, and good at no hamlet, Ascra, which is bad in winter, sultry in summer, and good at no time. (ll. 641-645) But you, Perses, remember all works in their season time. (ll. 641-645) But you, Perses, remember all works in their season but sailing especially. Admire a small ship, but put your freight in a large but sailing especially. Admire a small ship, but put your freight in a large one; for the greater the lading, the greater will be your piled gain, if only one; for the greater the lading, the greater will be your piled gain, if only the winds will keep back their harmful gales.” (Hesiod, the winds will keep back their harmful gales.” (Hesiod, Works & DaysWorks & Days, , H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - H.G. Evelyn-White, 1914 - http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/works.htm)

Class DistinctionsClass Distinctions Vary from Polis to PolisVary from Polis to Polis

Athens before Cleisthenes (508 BCE) = based on wealthAthens before Cleisthenes (508 BCE) = based on wealth

Sparta = Based on birthSparta = Based on birth

Aristocratic (Homeric) ethos undermined by social/political Aristocratic (Homeric) ethos undermined by social/political revolutions of the Archaic periodrevolutions of the Archaic period

Aristocratic Warrior ethos integrated into the ideal of Aristocratic Warrior ethos integrated into the ideal of citizenshipcitizenship

Wealthy and well born express their social status by: Wealthy and well born express their social status by: 1.Athletic competition, 2.Acts of Euergetism (i.e. Public 1.Athletic competition, 2.Acts of Euergetism (i.e. Public munificence)munificence)

Legal Categories of Polis Legal Categories of Polis Resident in Classical AthensResident in Classical Athens

Full citizen = All those born to citizen Full citizen = All those born to citizen fatherfather

MeticMetic = Resident Foreigner = Resident Foreigner

XenosXenos = Foreigner or stranger = Foreigner or stranger

SlavesSlaves

Rights and Obligations of the Citizen Rights and Obligations of the Citizen MaleMale

Sit in assembliesSit in assemblies

Elect magistratesElect magistrates

Participate in all public cults and festivalsParticipate in all public cults and festivals

Own propertyOwn property

Serve in the armyServe in the army

Rights and Obligations of the Rights and Obligations of the MeticMetic

Reside in the polis for which they have Metic statusReside in the polis for which they have Metic status

Pursue a tradePursue a trade

Legal protectionLegal protection

Conduct business (N.B. Cannot own land)Conduct business (N.B. Cannot own land)

Participate in some (but not all) civic cult and festivalsParticipate in some (but not all) civic cult and festivals

Serve in the armyServe in the army

Pay the “metoikon” (special tax on metics)Pay the “metoikon” (special tax on metics)

Diodorus on the Importance of Diodorus on the Importance of MeticsMetics

““(Themistokles) also persuaded the demos (Themistokles) also persuaded the demos to build and add, every year, twenty to build and add, every year, twenty triremes to the fleet that they already had, triremes to the fleet that they already had, and to make the metoikoi and the and to make the metoikoi and the craftsmen exempt from tax, so that a great craftsmen exempt from tax, so that a great multitude would come to the polis from multitude would come to the polis from everywhere and would readily establish everywhere and would readily establish many crafts; for both these things he many crafts; for both these things he judged to be most useful in the judged to be most useful in the establishment of naval power.” (Diodorus establishment of naval power.” (Diodorus XI.43.3. Crawford & Whitehead, Doc. 160).XI.43.3. Crawford & Whitehead, Doc. 160).

Slaves and SlaverySlaves and Slavery No rights.No rights.

Considered objects.Considered objects.

Property of their owner.Property of their owner.

Wide variety of occupations (agriculture, domestic Wide variety of occupations (agriculture, domestic service, artisans, business & trade, sex etc.).service, artisans, business & trade, sex etc.).

Usually non-Greeks; at least from a different polis.Usually non-Greeks; at least from a different polis.

Purchased, captured in war, bred at home.Purchased, captured in war, bred at home.

Sometimes paid; could purchase their freedom.Sometimes paid; could purchase their freedom.

Uses of and Attitudes toward Uses of and Attitudes toward SlavesSlaves

““Those who are able to do so buy slaves, in Those who are able to do so buy slaves, in order that they might have fellow-order that they might have fellow-workers.” (Xenophon, workers.” (Xenophon, MemorabiliaMemorabilia II.3.3. II.3.3. Crawford & Whitehead, Doc. 162A).Crawford & Whitehead, Doc. 162A).

““This is why our poets have said, ‘meet it is This is why our poets have said, ‘meet it is that barbarous peoples should be ruled by that barbarous peoples should be ruled by Greeks.’ – the assumption being that the Greeks.’ – the assumption being that the barbarian and the slave are by nature one barbarian and the slave are by nature one and the same thing.” (Aristotle, and the same thing.” (Aristotle, PoliticsPolitics, , 1.2.4. E. Barker, 1958); cf. Doc. 162B1.2.4. E. Barker, 1958); cf. Doc. 162B

Intellectual Developments in Intellectual Developments in Archaic and Classical Archaic and Classical

GreeceGreece 66thth century BCE (the First Sophistic). century BCE (the First Sophistic).

Pre-Socratic philosophers (Miletus; Pre-Socratic philosophers (Miletus; Ephesus); materialists.Ephesus); materialists.

Classical philosophy more concerned Classical philosophy more concerned with ethics and politics.with ethics and politics.

The Sophists – The The Sophists – The BackgroundBackground

No public education system in GreeceNo public education system in Greece

Sophists (wise men) were itinerant teachers who taught for Sophists (wise men) were itinerant teachers who taught for a feea fee

Main field of expertise was rhetoric (persuasive argument)Main field of expertise was rhetoric (persuasive argument)

A highly valued skill in democratic AthensA highly valued skill in democratic Athens

Quickly earned a negative reputation by the more Quickly earned a negative reputation by the more conservative elements at Athensconservative elements at Athens

The Sophists – Protagoras of The Sophists – Protagoras of Abdera (481-420 BCE)Abdera (481-420 BCE)

Taught rhetoric and political thoughtTaught rhetoric and political thought

Thought to be both agnostic and relativistThought to be both agnostic and relativist

““Man is the measure of all things: of things which are, they Man is the measure of all things: of things which are, they are, and of things which are not, they are not.” (Plato, are, and of things which are not, they are not.” (Plato, TheaetetusTheaetetus, 152a), 152a)

““Concerning the gods, I have no way of knowing whether Concerning the gods, I have no way of knowing whether they exist or not or of what sort they might be….”they exist or not or of what sort they might be….”

Practiced making the weaker argument strongerPracticed making the weaker argument stronger

The Sophists – Gorgias of The Sophists – Gorgias of Leontini (483-375 BCE)Leontini (483-375 BCE)

Focused primarily on rhetoric and oratoryFocused primarily on rhetoric and oratory

Extreme Skepticism: i.e. Nothing exists/if Extreme Skepticism: i.e. Nothing exists/if things exist, they cannot be known/if things exist, they cannot be known/if things can be known, they cannot be things can be known, they cannot be articulatedarticulated

Engaged in proving either side of a Engaged in proving either side of a contradictory argumentcontradictory argument

The Life and Death of The Life and Death of SocratesSocrates

All we know of Socrates’ life comes from Plato, Xenophon, and AristotleAll we know of Socrates’ life comes from Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle

Son of Sophroniscus and PhaenareteSon of Sophroniscus and Phaenarete

Married to Xanthippe – had three sonsMarried to Xanthippe – had three sons

Probably worked as a stonemasonProbably worked as a stonemason

Served in the army – decorated for braveryServed in the army – decorated for bravery

Was classified as a Sophist by his enemiesWas classified as a Sophist by his enemies

Left no writing of his ownLeft no writing of his own

Was accused, tried, convicted and executes on charges of corrupting Was accused, tried, convicted and executes on charges of corrupting the Athenian youth and not believing in the godsthe Athenian youth and not believing in the gods

Socrates the ThinkerSocrates the Thinker Was not concerned with natural philosophy (i.e the pre-Was not concerned with natural philosophy (i.e the pre-

socratics) nor with rhetoric (i.e. the sophists)socratics) nor with rhetoric (i.e. the sophists)

Claimed to be concerned with the care of the human soulClaimed to be concerned with the care of the human soul

Contested the relativism of the sophists and argued that Contested the relativism of the sophists and argued that universal truths existed and were knowableuniversal truths existed and were knowable

Reason could be used to discover what is true and goodReason could be used to discover what is true and good

Developed a method of dialectic cross-examination to Developed a method of dialectic cross-examination to demonstrate errors and inconsistencies in beliefs (cf. Plato, demonstrate errors and inconsistencies in beliefs (cf. Plato, EuthyphroEuthyphro).).

Socratic Subject-MatterSocratic Subject-Matter ““So we must investigate again from the beginning So we must investigate again from the beginning

what piety is, as I shall not give up before I learn what piety is, as I shall not give up before I learn this….If you had no clear knowledge of piety and this….If you had no clear knowledge of piety and impiety you would never have ventured to impiety you would never have ventured to prosecute your old father for murder on behalf of a prosecute your old father for murder on behalf of a servant. servant. For fear of the gods you would have been For fear of the gods you would have been afraid to take the risk lest you should not be acting afraid to take the risk lest you should not be acting rightly, and would have been ashamed before men, rightly, and would have been ashamed before men, but I know well that you believe you have a clear but I know well that you believe you have a clear knowledge of piety and impiety. So tell me, my knowledge of piety and impiety. So tell me, my good Euthyphro, and do not hide what you think it good Euthyphro, and do not hide what you think it isis.” (Plato, Euthyphro, 15 c-e.Trans. G.M.A. Grube, .” (Plato, Euthyphro, 15 c-e.Trans. G.M.A. Grube, 2000)2000)

Seeking UniversalsSeeking Universals Socrates: “….Now, however, try to say more plainly what I was asking Socrates: “….Now, however, try to say more plainly what I was asking

you just now. For you did not teach me sufficiently earlier, comrade, you just now. For you did not teach me sufficiently earlier, comrade, what ever the pious is. Instead, you told me that what you are now what ever the pious is. Instead, you told me that what you are now doing, proceeding against your father for murder, happens to be doing, proceeding against your father for murder, happens to be pious.”pious.”

Euthyphro: “Yes, and what I was saying is true, Socrates.”Euthyphro: “Yes, and what I was saying is true, Socrates.”

Socrates: “Perhaps. But in fact, Euthyphro, you also say that many Socrates: “Perhaps. But in fact, Euthyphro, you also say that many other things are pious.”other things are pious.”

Euthyphro: “Yes, and so they are.”Euthyphro: “Yes, and so they are.”

Socrates: “Do you remember that I didn’t bid you to teach some one or Socrates: “Do you remember that I didn’t bid you to teach some one or two of the many pious things, but that two of the many pious things, but that eidoseidos itself by which all the itself by which all the pious things are pious? For surely you were saying that it is by one idea pious things are pious? For surely you were saying that it is by one idea that the impious things are impious and the pious things pious. Or that the impious things are impious and the pious things pious. Or don’t you remember.”don’t you remember.”

(Plato, Euthyphro, 6d-e. T.G. West, 1984)(Plato, Euthyphro, 6d-e. T.G. West, 1984)

The Trial of Socrates – 399 The Trial of Socrates – 399 BCEBCE

Socrates’ philosophical speculation angered many Socrates’ philosophical speculation angered many Athenians (Reflect on why).Athenians (Reflect on why).

His accusers tried to depict him as a Sophist His accusers tried to depict him as a Sophist (Reflect on why).(Reflect on why).

Charged with introducing new gods to Athens and Charged with introducing new gods to Athens and with corrupting the Athenian youth.with corrupting the Athenian youth.

Brought to trial and executed in 399 BCE (cf. Brought to trial and executed in 399 BCE (cf. Plato, Plato, ApologyApology and and CritoCrito).).

Plato’s Plato’s ApologyApology The defense speech of Socrates against charges The defense speech of Socrates against charges

of corrupting the Athenian youth and inventing of corrupting the Athenian youth and inventing new gods.new gods.

Probably a true account of the speech though not Probably a true account of the speech though not a verbatim transcript.a verbatim transcript.

Socrates’ defense rests upon: 1.The charges Socrates’ defense rests upon: 1.The charges against him are slanderous, 2.The god Apollo has against him are slanderous, 2.The god Apollo has given him a mandate the improve the soul of all given him a mandate the improve the soul of all Athenians, 3.He ought to be rewarded for his Athenians, 3.He ought to be rewarded for his benefits to the polis and not punished.benefits to the polis and not punished.

The Nature of the Charges IThe Nature of the Charges IPlato, Plato, ApologyApology 19b-e, G.M.A. Grube, 19b-e, G.M.A. Grube,

20002000 ““Let us take up the case from the beginning. What is the Let us take up the case from the beginning. What is the

accusation from which arose the slander in which Meletus accusation from which arose the slander in which Meletus trusted when he wrote out the charge against me? What trusted when he wrote out the charge against me? What did they say when they slandered me? I must, as if they did they say when they slandered me? I must, as if they were actual prosecutors, read the affidavit that they have were actual prosecutors, read the affidavit that they have sworn. It goes something like this: Socrates is guilty of sworn. It goes something like this: Socrates is guilty of wrongdoing in that he busies himself studying things in the wrongdoing in that he busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the stronger argument, and he teaches these same things to stronger argument, and he teaches these same things to others. You have seen this yourself in the comedy of others. You have seen this yourself in the comedy of Aristophanes, a Socrates swinging about there, saying he Aristophanes, a Socrates swinging about there, saying he was walking on air and talking a lot of nonsense about was walking on air and talking a lot of nonsense about things of which I know nothing at all….And if you have things of which I know nothing at all….And if you have heard from anyone that I undertake to teach people and heard from anyone that I undertake to teach people and charge a fee for it, that is not true either.”charge a fee for it, that is not true either.”

The Nature of the Charges IIThe Nature of the Charges IIPlato, Plato, ApologyApology 24b, G.M.A. Grube, 24b, G.M.A. Grube,

20002000 ““As these are a different lot of As these are a different lot of

accusers, let us again take up their accusers, let us again take up their sworn deposition. It goes something sworn deposition. It goes something like this: Socrates is guilty of like this: Socrates is guilty of corrupting the young and of not corrupting the young and of not believing in the gods in whom the believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other new city believes, but in other new spiritual beings. Such is the charge.”spiritual beings. Such is the charge.”

Socrates’ Stated AimSocrates’ Stated Aim Plato, Plato, ApologyApology 30a-b, G.M.A. Grube, 30a-b, G.M.A. Grube,

20002000 ““For I go around doing nothing but For I go around doing nothing but

persuading both young and old among persuading both young and old among you not to care for your body or your you not to care for your body or your wealth in preference to or as strongly as wealth in preference to or as strongly as for the best possible state of your soul, for the best possible state of your soul, as I say to you: “Wealth does not bring as I say to you: “Wealth does not bring about excellence, but excellence makes about excellence, but excellence makes wealth and everything else good for wealth and everything else good for men, both individually and collectively.”men, both individually and collectively.”

Contemplate the charges Contemplate the charges against Socrates, his against Socrates, his

response to those charges, response to those charges, and the outcome of the trial and the outcome of the trial

against the social and against the social and political background of fifth political background of fifth

century Athenscentury Athens