Socrates - by Jacob Eapen

Socrates

Socrates was a great philosopher in ancient Greece in the fifth century B.C. He walked the streets of Athens asking questions and talking to anybody who would talk with him. Socrates had many students, but the most famous were Plato and Aristotle who would become great philosophers and teachers like himself. Socrates had a famous motto which was "Know Thyself." He also had found that learning was good for a person.

He loved to make fun of the Sophists because they made their students pay for their teachings unlike Socrates. For enjoyment, Socrates liked to ask people simple questions that would cause confusion and arguments.

Socrates loved philosophy so much he did not have an interest in money, fame, or power, and would only wear one rough woolen garment all through the years. Socrates married Xanthippe who was well known in Greece for her sharp tongue and quick temper. Socrates was also a courageous foot soldier during the Peloponeusion Wars, and fought many times.

At the end of his life Socrates was accused by government officials for "neglect of the gods" and "corruption of the young" They sentenced him to death by drinking hemlock. Socrates did not write any books or papers, but a history of his life was recorded by Xenophon. Socrates's students Plato and Aristotle, helped Socrates pass his knowledge to future philosophers after his death.