The Last Days of Socrates

Plato's 'The Last Days of Socrates' brings together four essential dialogues—Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo—that chronicle the pivotal moments surrounding the trial, condemnation, and death of Socrates, the foundational figure of Western philosophy. These texts not only document the philosopher's final days but also serve as the medium through which Plato began to articulate his own philosophical system, rooted in Socratic principles of self-responsibility and ethical inquiry.
Readers will follow Socrates as he debates the nature of piety, delivers a powerful defense against charges of impiety and corrupting youth, resists calls to escape execution, and calmly discusses the immortality of the soul in his final hours. This revised translation by Hugh Tredennick, with an introduction and notes by Harold Tarrant for Penguin Classics, reflects contemporary Platonic scholarship.
Why You Should Read?
Explore the profound ethical and philosophical foundations of Western thought through Socrates' defining moments.
Witness Socrates' unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in the face of death.
Gain insight into ancient Greek society, legal processes, and the enduring questions of morality, piety, and the soul.
Access an authoritative and updated translation, making these foundational texts accessible to modern readers.