1	The Ancient Greeks: Through the Eyes of Socrates Session 5/6 Socrates L.D. Alford Author of The Second Mission www.lionelalford.com www.ldalford.com
2	My Novels 18 written, 6 published, 2 on contract The Second Mission – historical fiction Centurion – historical fiction Aegypt – historical fiction/suspense The End of Honor - SiFi The Fox’s Honor - SiFi A Season of Honor - SiFi The Sister of Light/Darkness – 2 on contract The Shadow/Warrior of Light/Darkness – 4 in consideration The Ghost Ship Chronicles – 5 in consideration
3	The Second Mission Historical fiction novel with a SiFi driver Idea 1994, start 1996, finished 2000 Published by Xulon in Aug 2003 Follows Alan Fisher and Sophia Time: October 400 BC to October 399 BC Location: Athens Greece Available here from me and Watermark Books
4	Class Syllabus 1. Novel, characters, history, politics 2. Ancient Greece in time and place – 400 BC 3. Paganism and the musterium – 400 BC 4. Greek life – 400 BC 5. Socrates 6. The Socratic Dialogs 7. The Death of Socrates 8. Conclusion
5	Overview Novel is historical—2+ years of research Mainly primary sources in history Language, religion, and cultural details Suspense driven by historical data My question: What would happen if a modern person was accidentally pulled back into a time mission? Cascading questions: What is the most important event in history that future societies would want to confirm or observe? How would they go about it?
6	"As he trudged up the..." As he trudged up the lane, the gate to the house opened and an elderly man stepped out. He looked about 70-years old and was dressed in a simple long toga without any decoration. Even his belt was plainer than the average Athenian’s. In a slightly perturbed manner, the man looked up and down the street then set out toward Caliban. The old fellow swaggered with assurance, like a soldier. He threw back his head and shoulders, and with his bald head, he looked almost like the Marine sergeants who managed the guards at the classified facilities in the desert.
7	"Except for his beard," Except for his beard, Caliban would have sworn the man could have been any one of those tough soldiers. As the old man came closer, Caliban could easily make out his features. The man’s face was homely, the features large and heavy. His nose was snub and his prominent eyes stared out from under shaggy eyebrows. The man passed by him unsmiling, but he did not miss Caliban. Caliban knew he was noticed and catalogued. The eyes seemed to collect, analyze, and pierce him to the core. As they passed, Caliban knew the man must be Socrates.
8	"His deduction was confirmed when..." His deduction was confirmed when the strong steps behind him stopped, and the man said in a louder than necessary voice, “Be sure Xanthippe doesn’t mix too little water in her wine.” Caliban turned toward him. “Ah, you can hear some instructions. Save me at least a meat pastry, my friend, otherwise, I shall go hungry tonight,” Socrates smiled at him, then turned and continued down the hill.
9	Socrates Marble Roman artwork 1^st Century Copy of Lysippos From 4^th Century BC Original was bronze Louvre
10	"Vatican" Vatican
11	"Museo archeologico" Museo archeologico regionale di Palermo, Italy
12	Life Details from 3 contemporary sources: Dialogues of Plato Dialogues of Xenophon Plays of Aristophanes
13	Life Aristophanes' play The Clouds Portrays Socrates as a clown who teaches his students how to bamboozle their way out of debt. Most of Aristophanes' works are parodies My partial retranslation is included According to Plato Socrates' father was Sophroniscus, a stone mason Mother Phaenarete, a midwife Characterized as unattractive in appearance and short in stature
14	Life Socrates married Xanthippe, who was much younger than he She bore for him three sons, Lamprocles, Sophroniscus and Menexenus
15	"In the darkness," In the darkness, a hand on his arm awakened Caliban from his deep slumber. “Good evening, Sophia’s slave,” said a voice too loud in his ear. “Did you save me some food?” Sleep disconcerted Caliban for a moment, and he almost spoke. He caught himself and bit off the words with a grunt. He nodded and stood up. Caliban took the pastries from the shelf behind the hearth and handed them to Socrates. Almost no light illuminated the room. Caliban heard the large man sit down on the floor, and Caliban sat back where he had been sleeping.
16	"Between mouthfuls," Between mouthfuls, Socrates said to him, “Thank you, my friend. I was famished. You cannot speak, or so I understand, but you are a good slave. Because it is so late, and I doubt you would understand all the meaning of my words, I will not define either good or slave to you.” Caliban could hear the mirth in Socrates’ words though he couldn’t see his face. “But, you may understand that the words themselves are illusive without illumination,” Socrates laughed heartily. When he finished eating, Socrates arose and said, “Now, I must find my way to bed, friend slave. Xanthippe is a thin woman, but very warm. Be sure you don’t settle just for one or the other.”
17	Socrates’ Profession Unclear how he earned a living Ancient texts indicate he did not work Xenophon's Symposium, Socrates reported saying devotes himself only to what he regards as the most important art or occupation: discussing philosophy In The Clouds Aristophanes portrays Socrates as accepting payment for teaching and running a sophist school with Chaerephon Plato's Apology and Symposium and in Xenophon's accounts, Socrates explicitly denies accepting payment for teaching
18	Socrates’ Profession In Apology Socrates cites his poverty as proof he is not a teacher Timon of Phlius and later sources state Socrates took over the profession of stonemasonry from his father Tradition in antiquity, not credited by modern scholarship, that Socrates crafted the statues of the Three Graces, which stood near the Acropolis until the second century AD.
19	Socrates’ Life Plato's dialogues refer to Socrates' military service Socrates says he served in the Athenian army during three campaigns: at Potidaea (432) , Amphipolis (422) , and Delium (424) In Symposium Alcibiades describes Socrates' valor in the battles of Potidaea and Delium Recounts how Socrates saved his life in former battle Socrates' exceptional service at Delium mentioned in the Laches by General after whom dialogue is named In Apology, Socrates compares his military service to his courtroom troubles, he says anyone on the jury who thinks he ought to retreat from philosophy must also think soldiers should retreat when it looks like they will be killed in battle.
20	Socrates’ Life In 406 he was a member of the dikasterion His deme the Antiochis held the Prytany on the day the Generals of the Battle of Arginusae (who abandoned the slain and the survivors of foundered ships to pursue the defeated Spartan navy) were discussed Socrates was the Epistates (overseeer) and resisted the unconstitutional demand for a collective trial to establish the guilt of all eight Generals Refused to be cowed by threats of impeachment and imprisonment and blocked the vote until his Prytany ended the next day, whereupon six of Generals were condemned to death.
21	Socrates’ Life In 404 the Thirty Tyrants Sought to ensure the loyalty of those opposed to them by making them complicit in their activities Socrates and four others were ordered to bring a certain Leon of Salamis from his home for unjust execution Socrates quietly refused, his death averted only by the overthrow of the Tyrants soon afterwards
22	"“Come," “Come, Caliban,” said Sophia, “It’s time to take you to Crito’s house.” As he crossed the courtyard, Caliban spotted Socrates immediately. He still wore a plain toga without a belt or decoration. His feet were bare, and almost every man in the room surrounded him. In the inner circle stood seven older men. They looked as least as old as Socrates, and they leaned on the stone and wooden benches. In the outer circle were a few middle-aged men and many men in their twenties and thirties. These stood listening quietly.
23	"With the jar of wine..." With the jar of wine in both hands, Caliban stood outside the circles, but Socrates noticed him almost immediately. He gestured toward the slave and in an overloud voice said, “There is my borrowed slave. Come Caliban, fill my cup and lubricate my speech.” Caliban stepped through the circle and filled the proffered cup. “Now, here is a man doubly cursed and doubly blessed,” he still pointed at Caliban. “How is that, Socrates?” someone took the challenge.
24	"“Why," “Why, Caliban is mute; he cannot converse as a man. His greatest thoughts will be hidden forever from us. He will never command respect for his oration. Indeed, how can we know he is a man except through his actions and his form? In these things he is cursed.” “But, how is he blessed?” “Caliban can take any secret and not even torture will force it from him. That is his first blessing. The second is this, by foolish words, he cannot betray his lack of wisdom. And, in this, we must assume, he is wise.
25	"Most men prove they are..." Most men prove they are not wise through their own words. Caliban cannot prove he is not wise, therefore, he must be wise.” “But, he is only a foolish slave, Socrates.” “Phaedo, how can you tell a man is wise?” “Of course by his words, Socrates.” “Do you value a man who speaks constantly or one who speaks little?” “If a man speaks constantly but his words are wise.” “Do you know a man like that?” Socrates chuckled. “I never met one.”
26	"“Wisdom of Socrates," “Wisdom of Socrates, you say Phaedo. I can prove only one man’s wisdom here and that is Caliban’s. I myself know I am not wise, but Chaerephon, rest his soul, asked the god at Delphi who was the wisest man. You all know the answer of the god. Chaerephon was a man of wisdom for both asking the question and for bringing the answer to me. That answer gave feet to my thoughts and direction to my soul. Chaerephon was a Democrat and a wise man. The two are not incompatible.”
27	"“Then,” said Phaedo" “Then,” said Phaedo, “What of the priests; those who serve the gods? Some are here. Certainly, they are wise.” “Very good, Phaedo. We should assume the priests are wise. But can they be wise only because they serve the gods. For don’t all of us serve the gods? Is that not our purpose? So then, what characteristic makes them wise?”
28	"“Surely they are more..." “Surely they are more pious than other men, for their life revolves around service to the gods, and that service is what we call pious.” “Good, Phaedo, you have given a name to the thing we seek. If we can determine, in your view, what is pious, then we have found wisdom?”
29	Crito’s House (close)
30	Euthyphro Argument from Euthyphro Context a symposium given by Crito, friend of Socrates Reuse of arguments/dialogues
31	"Socrates and his following stopped..." Socrates and his following stopped suddenly and Socrates said, “How now, Hermogenes and Cratylus. You appear to be rushing for knowledge. Don’t let us stand in your way.” He made an expansive gesture for them to precede him through the gate. Hermogenes spoke right at Socrates’ ear but his voice carried far, “I should explain to you, Socrates, our friend Cratylus and I are conversing about names. He says they are natural and not made up. He says they are not elements of human speech that men agree to use, but there is a truth or correctness in them. A truth that is the same for Hellenes as for barbarians.”
32	Cratylus Platonic dialog concerning the origin of names of things in language Question: whether names are "conventional" or "natural", that is, whether language is a system of arbitrary signs or whether words have an intrinsic relation to the things they signify. Cratylus became one of the earliest philosophical texts of the Classical Greek period to deal with matters of etymology and linguistics.
33	"Euthyphro greeted Socrates like a..." Euthyphro greeted Socrates like a long-lost friend, “Why have you left the Lyceum, Socrates? And what are you doing on the Porch of the King Archon? Surely you cannot be involved in a suit before the King, like myself?” Socrates sat beside Euthyphro in the shade on the steps, “Not in a suit, Euthyphro; impeachment is the word the Athenians use.” Caliban sat just behind Socrates, and the other men arranged themselves on the steps.
34	"Euthyphro gestured haphazardly," Euthyphro gestured haphazardly, “What! I suppose someone is prosecuting you, for I cannot believe that you are the prosecutor of another.” “Certainly not.” “Then someone else is prosecuting you?” “Yes.” “And who is he?” “A young man who is little known, Euthyphro, and I hardly know him. His name is Meletus, and he is of the deme of Pitthis. Perhaps you may remember his appearance. He has a beak, and long straight hair, and a beard that is ill grown.” The men laughed.
35	"Euthyphro shrugged," Euthyphro shrugged, “No, I do not remember him, Socrates. But what is the charge he brings against you?” “What is the charge? Well, a very serious charge that shows a good deal of character in the young man, and for which he is certainly not to be despised. He says he knows how the youth are corrupted and who are their corruptors. I fancy he must be a wise man, and since I am the reverse of a wise man, he found me out, and is going to accuse me of corrupting his young friends. And of this our mother, the State, is to be the judge.
36	"Of all our political men" Of all our political men, he is the only one who seems to begin in the right way, with the cultivation of virtue in youth. Like a good husbandman, he makes the young shoots his first care, and clears away those who are the destroyers of them. This is only the first step—he will afterwards attend to the elder branches, and if he goes on as he has begun, he will be a very great public benefactor.” “I hope he may, but I fear, Socrates, the opposite will turn out to be the truth. My opinion is that in attacking you, he simply aims a blow at the foundation of the State. But in what way does he say that you corrupt the young?”
37	Euthyphro Plato’s dialog concerning piety and wisdom Euthyphro, a man known for claiming to be a religious expert They attempt to pinpoint a definition for piety Since I gave the argument during Crito’s symposia, I just give the context here Argument is the definition of piety Point is Socrates makes Euthyphro look like a fool Bigger point is the charge of impiety is one Socrates must defend in the Apology
38	"The chief clerk stepped to..." The chief clerk stepped to the center of the raised area. He opened a scroll and read, “‘It is so sworn on this day, in the name of the great god of Athinai: Socrates is a public offender in that he does not recognize the gods recognized by the state of Athinai, but introduces new demoniacal beings. He has also offended by corrupting the youth of Athinai.’ The charge is brought by Anytus, Meletus, Lycon, and Phormio.”
39	The Apology of Socrates Socrates’ defense of himself before the dikasterion Recorded by Plato and Xenophon Plato’s account is much more detailed We will see this in much greater detail next time
40	"Caliban lay half awake on..." Caliban lay half awake on dank stones. He heard Socrates’ snores comfortably above him in the darkness. Socrates was still alive. Alive until the Delos offering ship returned to Athinai. The priests crowned the stern of the ship the day before Socrates’ trial. Already nearly a month passed since the ship left with the thank offering to Apollo. Until the ship returned to port, Athinai lived in a “holy season” where no human life could be taken. Soon the ship would return, and with it would come Socrates’ executioners.
41	"As the prison grew slightly..." As the prison grew slightly brighter with the false dawn, Caliban was alarmed to note another shadow in the room. He remained silent. Had Anytus sent an early executioner? After a while, he recognized the craggy features of Crito, Socrates’ old friend. Socrates rolled over in his sleep; the scrape of his chains stridently filled the small dark room. Caliban heard the sound of the fetters, then Socrates’ voice, cheerful though low, “Why have you come at this hour, Crito? It must be quite early.”
42	"Crito’s voice flowed out of..." Crito’s voice flowed out of the darkness, “Yes, it is.” Socrates stretched, “What is the exact time?” “The dawn is breaking.” “I wonder the keeper of the prison would let you in.” “He knows me because I come often, Socrates; moreover, I have done him a kindness.”
43	"“Yes:" “Yes: the meaning is only too clear. But, O! My beloved Socrates, let me entreat you once more to take my advice and escape. If you die I shall not only lose a friend who can never be replaced, but there is a second evil. People who do not know you and me will believe I might have saved you if I were willing to give money, but that I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than this that I should be thought to value money over the life of a friend? Many will not be persuaded that I wanted you to escape, yet you refused.”
44	Crito Attempt by Crito to have Socrates (in prison) escape Athens and therefore save his life Conversation regarding justice (dikē), injustice (adikia), and the appropriate response to injustice Socrates states that injustice may not be answered with injustice, and refuses Crito's offer to finance his escape from prison This dialogue contains an ancient statement of the social contract theory of government Socrates takes the opportunity to deliver the message that the state and the justice of the state is more important than his life
45	"Socrates stared at each of..." Socrates stared at each of the men, giving every one a comfortable smile, “Where is Plato?” Phaedo, sitting as usual at Socrates’ feet, answered, “Plato is ill. He begged me to bring him your every word so he might remember this day for Athinai. I think he could not bear to see your death. He believes he loves you more than any of us.”
46	"Socrates only smiled at him" Socrates only smiled at him. Then he sat up on the couch and began to bend and massage his leg where the chains had bound him, “How singular is this thing called pleasure, and how curiously related to pain, its opposite. They never come to a man at the same time, yet a man who pursues one is generally compelled to accept the other. They are two, yet they grow together out of one stem. I cannot but think if Aesop had noticed them, he would have made a fable about a god trying to reconcile their strife. When the god could not, he fastened them together. This is the reason when one comes the other follows, as I find in my own case pleasure comes following after the pain in my leg that was caused by the chain.”
47	Phaedo The death of Socrates Socrates discusses the nature of the afterlife on his last day before being executed by drinking Hemlock poison. This dialogue is narrated by Phaedo to Echecrates Dialectic with a group of Socrates' friends, including the Thebans Cebes and Simmias, Socrates explores various arguments for the soul's immortality in order to show that there is an afterlife in which the soul will dwell following death
48	Phaedo Socrates’ 4 arguments for immortality of the soul The Opposites Argument or "Cyclical argument" explains that as the Forms are eternal and unchanging, and as the soul always brings life, then it must not die, and is necessarily "imperishable". As the body is mortal and is subject to physical death, the soul must be its indestructible opposite. Plato then suggests the analogy of fire and cold. If the form of cold is imperishable, and fire, its opposite, was within close proximity, it would have to withdraw intact as does the soul during death. This could be likened to the idea of the opposite charges of magnets.
49	Phaedo Socrates’ 4 arguments for immortality of the soul The Theory of Recollection explains that we possess some non-empirical knowledge (e.g. The Form of Equality) at birth, implying the soul existed before birth to carry that knowledge. Another account of the theory is found in Plato's Meno, although in that case Socrates implies anamnesis (previous knowledge of everything) whereas he is not so bold in Phaedo. The Affinity Argument explains that invisible, immortal, and incorporeal things are different from visible, mortal, and corporeal things. Our soul is of the former, while our body is of the latter, so when our bodies die and decay, our soul will continue to live.
50	Phaedo Socrates’ 4 arguments for immortality of the soul The Argument from Form of Life explains that the Forms, incorporeal and static entities, are the cause of all things in the world, and all things participate in Forms. For example, beautiful things participate in the Form of Beauty; the number four participates in the Form of the Even, etc. The soul, by its very nature, participates in the Form of Life, which would mean the soul could never die.
51	Summary Physical description of Socrates Socrates’ life The dialogs in their context
52	Next Time I won’t be here next week—week after The Death of Socrates