On This Day

BC Philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corrupting the minds of the youth of the city an

BC Philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corrupting the minds of the youth of the city and for impiety

Socrates (Ancient Greek: Σωκράτης, romanized: Sōkrátēs; c. 470 – 399 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher from Classical Athens, perhaps the first Western moral philosopher, and a major inspiration on his student Plato, who largely founded the tradition of Western philosophy. An enigmatic figure, Socrates authored no texts and is known mainly through the posthumous accounts of classical writers, particularly his students Plato and Xenophon. These accounts are written as dialogues, in which Socrates and his interlocutors examine a subject in the style of question and answer; they gave rise to the Socratic dialogue literary genre. Contradictory accounts of Socrates make a reconstruction of his philosophy nearly impossible, a situation known as the Socratic problem.

Historical Significance

Socrates (Ancient Greek: Σωκράτης, romanized: Sōkrátēs; c.

Events Before

  1. BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia - Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leads to subsequent sacking of Rom

    BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia - Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leads to subsequent sacking of Rome

  2. Roman Emperor Theodosius I declares Christianity the state religion

    Theodosius I (Ancient Greek: Θεοδόσιος Theodosios; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395.

  3. Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor, though unrecognized by Eastern Emperor Theodosius

    Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor, though unrecognized by Eastern Emperor Theodosius

Events After

  1. St Anastasius I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pope Anastasius I was the bishop of Rome from 27 November 399 to his death on 19 December 401. Anastasius was born in Rome, and was the son of Maximus.

  2. St. Innocent I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St. Innocent I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  3. Last known gladiator competition in Rome

    Last known gladiator competition in Rome

  4. Arsacius of Tarsus is installed as puppet Archbishop of Constantinople after the expulsion of John Chrysostom, promptin

    Arsacius of Tarsus is installed as puppet Archbishop of Constantinople after the expulsion of John Chrysostom, prompting people of the city to worship outside the city walls in protest

  5. "The Great Invasion" sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of

    "The Great Invasion" sees a vast horde of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi cross the Rhine at Mainz, beginning the invasion of Gaul

More from the 390s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 15, 399?
Socrates (Ancient Greek: Σωκράτης, romanized: Sōkrátēs; c. 470 – 399 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher from Classical Athens, perhaps the first Western moral philosopher, and a major inspiration on his student Plato, who largely founded the tradition of Western philosophy. An enigmatic figure, Socrates authored no texts and is known mainly through the posthumous accounts of classical writers, particularly his students Plato and Xenophon.
Why is BC Philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corru... significant?
Socrates (Ancient Greek: Σωκράτης, romanized: Sōkrátēs; c.

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