Socrates

Socrates was one of the most influential Greek philosophers of the ancient era. He was born in the fifth century BC in the city of Athens. His father was a stone mason and hos mother was a midwife. Not much is known about his early years except that he joined his father’s trade and thrice participated in the Peloponnesian War as a citizen soldier. Later he started exploring philosophy and very soon gathered a loyal band of disciples, among whom most well-known are philosopher Plato, historian Xenophon, the founder of the Cynic school, Antisthenes and the founder of the Cyrenaic school, Aristippus. Although a renowned teacher, Socrates had not left anything in writing. Whatever we know about him or his teachings come from the writings of Plato and Xenophon. He was unique man, who did not care for class distinction or proper behavior. He would move around the city, barefooted and unwashed, asking questions, discussing answers and thus reaching the truth through a unique procedure, we now call ‘Socratic Method’. However, because of his nonconformity to the local traditions, he also created many enemies, who accused him of corrupting the youth. Sentenced to death, he died gracefully by drinking brewed hemlock.