Socrates on Trial

This study offers an historical and philosophical interpretation of and commentary on Plato's "Apology of Socrates". The authors argue, contrary to virtually every modern interpretation of the "Apology", that Plato's Socrates offers a sincere defence against the charges he faces. In the first instance they show that Socrates' moral and religious principles prohibit him from needlessly risking a negative vote at his trial. Secondly, by providing a complete commentary, the authors show that each specific claim Socrates makes in the "Apology" can be construed as a sincere attempt to inform the jury of the truth and convince the jurors of his blamelessness. The effect of these two strategies provides an interpretation of the "Apology" which sheds new light on various aspects of Socrates' life and philosophy and which should be of interest to philosophers, historians and classicists alike.