Golden Age Of Socrates

Life is not linear, made up of steps to reach a certain goal, but it is instead made up of numerous choices that can impact not only the person who is making the choice, but everyone else also. This can be seen throughout the ages by the rise and fall of civilizations, even one as great as classical Greece. One small choice can even decide the fate of a life, which is what historians have been contemplating with the peculiar circumstances surrounding the conviction and death of the great philosopher Socrates. Some people, including the famous Plato, claimed that certain portrayals of Socrates in theatrical productions may have influenced the jury’s vote for conviction. One such production, that put Socrates in seemingly negative light, was Aristophanes’ Clouds. By doing research and understanding the historical context of this time period, it can be determined whether a single choice to put negative light on an individual in the comical play Clouds really had an influence on the conviction and death of Socrates and if not what did.

The age of Socrates, fifth century Athens, was a time of creativity, economic growth, and political change. There were so many wonderful aspects about the culture that it became known as the Golden Age of Athens. The foundation of this wonderful era was the government. The people were proud of their politics. Their whole lives revolved around the Athenian Democracy, or Demokratia. It was mostly just for men. Any man, no matter if he was rich or poor, could participate in politics and hold office. Everyone had a chance to hold an office if they wanted to because everyone had equality before the law. Also, there was one main assembly which all the Athenian citizens participated in and it was called Ekles...

... middle of paper ...

...al cause of Socrates’ conviction and death, I believe, was himself. He pushed them to the limit and further. He embraced the thought of death and threw it in their faces. With his death came the end of the last bit of the Golden Age of Athens and what it stood for. Socrates believed he was the gadfly, the one who pushed the Athenians for change and individuality. In his words Socrates stated this:

“Another like me you will not easily find, and if you take my advice you will spare me. But perhaps you are annoyed by me…and kill me. And then you would doze through the rest of your loves – unless God in his mercy should send you another gadfly,” (Plato, Apology).

The Athenians did not believe him and therefore gave him exactly what he wanted, death. But in the end, the Athenians suffered for it and the greatness of Athens disappeared. Not to reappear for a long time.