Download Historical Background to the Trial of Socrates

Historical Background to the Trial of Socrates
The Golden Age







5th century BC (479-432 BC)
Flowering of modern ideals –
democracy, balance, tolerance, love of
beauty, the pursuit of excellence
Athenian victories in Persian Wars
(499-479 BC) responsible for
optimism
Famous battles – Marathon, Salamis,
Plataea
Persians defeated and expelled from

Greece
Athenian established empire
Exacted tribute from smaller states and became wealthy – used for fleet and building
programme
Lasted until outbreak of Peloponnesian War 432
The Peloponnesian War, 432-404
BC







Sparta vs Athens
Sparta – aristocratic,
militaristic, conservative,
progressive
Athens – liberal, democratic
The anti-thesis of each
other, creating suspicion
Minor dispute between
Corinth and Athens led to
war
430-429 plague – many died, morale dropped, lawlessness
421 peace treaty signed, but ended in 415 when Athenian fleet was wiped out in a
disastrous expedition to Sicily
Government and Leadership


a new breed of politician emerges after Pericles
The violent Cleon in 420s who persuaded the Assembly to put all the women and
children of Melos to death.


Alcibiades – the golden boy gone wrong, who advocated Sicilian expedition
Indicative of a new spirit of folly in the city
Alcibiades







A friend of Socrates and admired him greatly
Charismatic and handsome playboy
Instrumental in his downfall
Nephew of Pericles
Responsible for Sicilian expedition
Implicated in desecration of statues called Hermes which
were thought to ensure fertility of households
Went over to Spartans and gave advice
Oligarchic Revolution









Temporary abandonment of democracy – 411
Appointed council of 400 men made all decisions
Called an Oligarchy – rule by a small number of people
Oligarchy overthrown and replaced by rule of 5000
410 democracy reestablished
Alcibiades recalled but banished again 407
His arrogance and treachery in Peloponnesian war were to be remembered by the
jury at Socrates’ trial – he was a pupil of Socs
406 BC Athens won battle of Arginusae – led to the enfranchisement of slaves who
had rowed fleet
Six of the eight generals at the battle were condemned to death en bloc because failed
to pick up survivors
The Thirty Tyrants





404 Athens surrendered to Sparta
Oligarchy based on Sparta installed
Among them were a number of Socrates’ former pupils
Critias to feature prominently in Socrates’ trial
Critias proved to be most unscrupulous and vicious of them all – as believer in
aristocratic power he declared war against democratic party
Restoration of Democracy 403 BC