The Sacrifices of Perpetua and Socrates
Some of the most influential people in all of history are those who died for something that they believed in. Whether that was there lifelong work like Socrates, or Christian beliefs to aid you in getting to heaven like Perpetua. Both Socrates and Perpetua were very influential and they both marched to the beat of their own drum. They believed things that were not popular during their time, but even then they were so strong in their beliefs that they were willing to die for them. Socrates and Perpetua were a few of their kind and not many other people understood why they would die when there was a way out. They were both strong enough and courageous enough to do what they believed was right, regardless
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In a Greek and Roman system where religion is a major focal point of society, Socrates and Perpetua had their own ideas that were contrary to the popular belief. Socrates said, “What we ought to consider is not so much what people in general will say about us, but how we stand with the expert in right and wrong, the one authority, who represents the actual truth” (Plato 48). It didn’t make any difference to him what anyone else thought about his decisions. What mattered to him was that he did the right thing in every situation no matter what the circumstances. In the end people don’t determine your destiny or what happens to your soul after death, because they do not know the actual truth. That also goes for Perpetua in her situation. It doesn’t matter what people think about her decision to be a Christian because, in the end God knows the truth and he will be the judge. In both Rome and Greece, polytheistic religious views were dominant to any other belief. Socrates did believe that there was a greater force, but he did not believe in the pantheon of Greek gods. He was one of the first to possibly allude to monotheism. Perpetua, on the other hand was a dedicated follower of Christianity which was a very young and unpopular religion at her time. Although, Socrates never had a specific belief about a “one true god” he did believe in the oracle of Apollo, both he and Perpetua were similar in the fact that they both had monotheistic views. They both saw an issue with the world and how people were living their lives. The only way for them to change society was to start with the youth who would soon be the leaders of society. Socrates was convicted for corrupting the youth, because he taught them his ways and told them not to follow what their fathers believe and say. The Greek men obviously were not big fans of their sons claiming that they were wrong.
Understanding the differences between Socrates and Perpetua rests in two major elements. The first one is the role of religion and
How well known people are effects how influential you are, and while these 2 characters from history are not as influential as LeBron James and trending pop stars are in their time, they’ve used their influential abilities in positive ways that affect everyone today. Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr. are both amazing leaders of the suffrage and civil rights movements. Anthony with Women’s rights, and King with African American’s rights took Civil Rights as a whole a few great leaps forward; brought forth an era where the Civil Rights Movement is something almost everyone believes in, that equal rights should be something everyone has. In these great leaps forward, King and Anthony have used their influential abilities to help start, carry on, and pass on a legacy. This is a legacy that is the idea or thought that everyone is equal.
Although Socrates and Pericles are in different situations while giving their speeches, they both talk about things that let you, as the reader, see their views on certain points. One of the key points they agree upon is death.
Here, I would like to ask you, the men of Athens, firstly, why at all should Socrates have mentioned everything I just said, if he really does not believe in god as some of you accused? Moreover, how dare you to accuse such a man, who serves the gods at all expenses and even risks his life for it? Doesn’t such a man deserve our respect? Furthermore, as we believe in our gods, how dare we put such terrible charges upon the wisest man of Athens, who is sent by the gods to awake us Athenians?
Foremost, the myth reminds us that our fate cannot be avoided through the example of Acrisius' death. Nevertheless, Perseus creates the image of the perfect hero. Should an individual wish to fit this image, they must respect their parents and show bravery and determination in times of stress in order to overcome challenges. Information Sources
Socrates was not guilty as charged; he had done nothing wrong, as seen in the Apology. Not even a priest could tell Socrates what he had done wrong religiously, Euthyphro wasn’t even able to give Socrates a precise definition of piety. It is then questioned by Crito why Socrates would remain to face a penalty for a crime he did not commit. In the Crito, it is explained why, although innocent, Socrates must accept the penalties his peers have set upon him. It is his peers that will interpret and enforce the laws, not the law which will enforce it. Even if the enforcers don’t deserve attention and respect because they have no real knowledge to the situation, Socrates had put himself under their judgment by going to the trial. Therefore, Socrates must respect the decisions made by the masses because the decisions are made to represent the laws, which demand each citizen’s respect.
In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville writes that, “equality of conditions is the fundamental fact from which all others seem to be derived” in America. With the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln rededicates America to this fundamental creed, holding the Declaration of Independence’s claim that “all men are created equal” as the nation’s ideological foundation. Lincoln’s speech evokes Pericles’s Funeral Oration, which similarly flaunts equality as the bedrock of Athens. By linking the two speeches and states, Lincoln expands America’s national duty in demanding that the country provide an example to the world like Athens. Lincoln uses this duty as a reason to continue the war effort, following Pericles’s example of protreptikon. Most importantly, the linkage draws a contrast between the two states: Athenian exceptionalism is based on realized cultural values, while Lincoln’s American exceptionalism is purely doctrinal. In comparing the two, Lincoln displays that America must follow through on past intentions in order to realize its greatness.
Socrates was accused of being a sophist because he was "engaging in inquiries into things beneath the earth and in the heavens, of making the weaker argument appear the stronger," and "teaching others these same things." (Apology, Plato, Philosophic Classics page 21) Socrates is also accused of denying the existence of the gods, and corrupting the youth. Socrates goes about trying to prove his innocence. The jury that Socrates was tried by was made up of 501 Athenian citizens of all classes of society. While he fails to convince the Athenian jury of his innocence, he does a wonderful job in this effort. I personally believe that Socrates is innocent, and that the Athenian jury made the wrong decision.
In Plato’s Apology it seems that overall Socrates did an effective job using the 3 acts of the mind. The three acts of the mind are: Understanding, Judgment, and Reasoning. These acts are stragically used to rebut the charges made against him during trial. The two charges that are formed against Socrates are corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods. The first act of the mind that we will be looking at is, understanding. The question that needs to be asked is what does corruption mean? The accuser believe that Socrates in corrupting the minds of the children by introducing new concepts. Socrates is trying to teach and involve the minds of the youth by getting them to ask question. It is very important that people are always asking questions about why things are. The next question that needs to be address is what does not believe in the gods mean? Socrates believes in God but that is one god that rules the world, not multiple gods who together rule. They are mad that he has “created” his own god.
Therefore, it is less likely the youth have been corrupted by Socrates than by some larger group of people (educators, council members, jurymen etc.). Socrates was also put on trial for being an Atheist. In the argument Socrates has with Meletus, Socrates gets Meletus to admit that Socrates is an Atheist and a theist. Considering that both of these practices are totally incompatible, and Meletus admits to both of theses, maybe Meletus does not really understand what he is accusing Socrates of. I understand that back then not believing in religion was considered a crime but to actually sentence someone to death for being different is totally uncalled for.
In this literature review I will discuss both Socrates and Jesus Christ (Jesus). I will compare and distinguish them, by their trial, misdeeds (through the view of society), law, justice and punishment. In addition, I will write about their influence in today’s society and what impact they have made through time. Both Socrates and Jesus had many things in common yet, they we’re different. Both had different religious beliefs. While, Socrates was polytheistic, believing in several gods. Jesus, in the other hand was monotheism, believed in only one God. Both were charged, tried, and executed for their “radical” behavior with society. Overall, both men sacrificed themselves for the possible chance of change.
One of the accusations against Socrates in his trial facing execution, was that he did not believe in the gods. However, this allegation was completely erroneous. His steadfast
According to “The Hero’s Journey”, societies throughout history have lifted up exemplary individuals. There is almost always one individual who is a perfect example. He is the guy that leads others and is looked up to. The greeks valued a character that they could aspire to be. Also from “The Hero’s Journey”, the hero seems to be invincible and incorruptible. The hero is tested, but he always seems to prevail. In real life, this can be seen as a world leader or a famous warrior. As quoted from The Odyssey, “ He fought only to save his life and to bring his shipmates home.”(561). The hero always fights for good causes and for others. You never hear about a hero being selfish or foolish. They are always pure and just, so they are often well known and popular among the
It is widely known that the Athenians highly valued their warrior class, and they saw the warriors as a ring of the higher circle of the society. The Athenians were very proud of Athena and its traditions, as well. Athenian’s thought that Athena was the best, none could be better. The funeral oration was aimed to respect the fallen as well as to keep up the national pride and its passion to protect their nation. The speech was a eulogy which focused on the eminence of Athens and its predecessors. Usually a son was chosen to give the eulogy. The law required the speech to have several essential components. The speech had to concerning the lives of the deceased. At his eulogy’s end, Pericles spoke in regard to the soldiers. The speech talked about the life that the departed lived and the achievements which they gained. Pericles wanted the citizens to recall the soldiers but to forget about the tragedy that had occurred. He wanted the departed’s lives to be remembered, but not their demise. The speech helped the Athenians appreciate what their ancestors had died for and how they shou...
While at Pergamum he met Eudemus and Attaluus, and he wrote the first edition of