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Socrates was 70 years old and familiar to most Athenians. His anti-democratic views had turned many in the city against him. Two of his students, Alcibiades and Critias, had twice briefly overthrown the democratic government of the city, instituting a reign of terror in which thousands of citizens were deprived of their property and either banished from the city or executed.
On a day in 399 BC the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and "of corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death. The trial took place in the heart of the city, the jurors seated on wooden benches surrounded by a crowd of spectators. Socrates' accusers (three Athenian citizens) were allotted three hours to present their case, after which, the philosopher would have three hours to defend himself.
After hearing the arguments of both Socrates and his accusers, the jury was asked to vote on his guilt. Under Athenian law the jurors did not deliberate the point. Instead, each juror registered his judgment by placing a small disk into an urn marked either "guilty" or "not guilty." Socrates was found guilty by a vote of 280 to 220.
The philosopher was taken to the near-by jail where his sentence would be carried out. Athenian law prescribed death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. Socrates would be his own executioner.
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∙ 14y ago
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison called hemlock because he was found guilty of corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety towards the gods. His trial and subsequent death were a result of his controversial ideas and criticisms of the Athenian society.
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What sentence was Socrates given by the people of Athens?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock for charges of corrupting the youth and impiety (disrespect for the gods) in Athens.
Because Socrates questioned ideas he was given a poison known as?
Socrates was given a poison known as Hemlock. Hemlock is a highly toxic plant that affects the central nervous system, leading to paralysis and death. It was ingested by Socrates as his method of execution after being sentenced to death for corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety.
What poison did Socrates drink?
Socrates drank a cup of hemlock poison as his method of execution after being sentenced to death by an Athenian court.
How did Socrates poisioning occur?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison called hemlock. The poison caused paralysis and eventually led to his death. Socrates accepted his punishment and willingly drank the poison as part of his commitment to his philosophical beliefs.
What was Socrates fate?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock in 399 BC in Athens. He was charged and found guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety. Despite the opportunity to escape, Socrates chose to accept his fate and drank the poison as part of upholding his principles and beliefs.
Which poison was given to socrates of execute his death penalty?
Socrates was given hemlock to drink.
What sentence was Socrates given by the people of Athens?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock for charges of corrupting the youth and impiety (disrespect for the gods) in Athens.
Because Socrates questioned ideas he was given a poison known as?
Socrates was given a poison known as Hemlock. Hemlock is a highly toxic plant that affects the central nervous system, leading to paralysis and death. It was ingested by Socrates as his method of execution after being sentenced to death for corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety.
What poison did Socrates drink?
Socrates drank a cup of hemlock poison as his method of execution after being sentenced to death by an Athenian court.
How did Socrates poisioning occur?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison called hemlock. The poison caused paralysis and eventually led to his death. Socrates accepted his punishment and willingly drank the poison as part of his commitment to his philosophical beliefs.
Who told Socrates to drink the poison?
crito
What famous philosopher was sentenced to death by poison?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock.
What is a poison used in ancient Greece?
It was hemlock. :)
What was Socrates fate?
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock in 399 BC in Athens. He was charged and found guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety. Despite the opportunity to escape, Socrates chose to accept his fate and drank the poison as part of upholding his principles and beliefs.
When was Socrates executed by the Athenians?
Socrates was executed by the Athenians in 399 BC. He was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison known as hemlock.
Did the socrates drink poisen ivy?
Socrates was executed by drinking hemlock, it is generally believed. I do not know if poison ivy can kill people. What I do know, though, is that European people tend to be almost immune to the effect that poison ivy has on American people (like a rash). I am a European and have tried it.
What was the name of the poison Socrates was forced to drink?
After being convicted of corrupting the youth of Athens, Socrates was given the option of exile and leaving Athens forever, or drinking a brew of hemlock -- a plant containing a highly effective stimulant neurotoxin. Upon choosing the poison, his explanation was, "It is not that I love life less, but that I love Athens more."
