- Athens was great city which attracted brilliant thinkers
- visitors from all over the world shard their knowledge of astronomy, medicine, meteorology, literature, philosophy, and all things scientific
- this was often at odds with traditional teachings which centered around the Greek gods which got young minds thinking and questioning
The Trial
- charged with two crimes: corruption of Athens' youth, and impiety (not believing in the gods of the state)
- his defense: " It's my job to be the gadfly to the lazy, sluggish horse that it Athens"- "I should actually be rewarded with dinners for life."
- jury of 500 citizens found him guilty (279 to 221?)
- sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock
- he had the opportunity to escape, but HE REFUSED, proving his loyalty to Athenian democracy
"You Idiot"
- An idiot in Athenian democracy was someone who was characterized by self-centeredness and concerned almost exclusively with private- rather than public- affairs
- In Athenian democracy, idiots were born and citizens were made through education
- Declining to take part in public life, such as democratic government of the polis city-state was considered dishonorable
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