Democratic Virtue in the Trial and Death of Socrates: Resistance to Imperialism in Classical AthensThucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War and Plato's Apology represent two influential works of classical Athens. Thucydides' work is widely recognized as an argument for democratic thought. Plato's work, an essential tract in western philosophy, is often accused of being anti-democratic. This book reconstructs a fundamental understanding of the conflict between the political thought and action of Socrates and Athens. It challenges prior commentary on three essential fronts. First, it explores the extent to which imperial ambition and competition subvert Athenian democracy. Second, it explores the extent to which Socrates' labors oppose the ambition and competition inherent in Athenian imperialism. Finally, it explores the extent to which Socratic morality represents a threat to post-restoration Athenian ambition. |
Contents
The Importance of Socrates Trial | 1 |
Contest Excellence Ambition in Ancient Athens | 31 |
Socratic Morality Opposition to Agon and Philotimia | 65 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
accusers Achilles actions aggrandizement agon and philotimia Alcibiades Amit Anytus appears argues aristoi Aristophanes asserts Athenian Constitution Athenian demos Athenian imperialism attempt believe Brickhouse and Smith Bryant Callicles chora Chroust Cimon claims classical Clisthenes commentators competition concerning conflict connection Constitution of Athens constrained context corruption Critias critique danger death defense democracy democratic dikasts Dover duty elenctic elenctic argument empire essential examination execution experience of agon fellow Athenians fifth century fourth century B.C. Gorgias Greek Homer's hoplite virtue imperial ambitions individuals inquiry interest Ithome leadership Meletus military virtue moral excellence motivations Nicias nomos old hoplite old philosopher oligarchic oracle Orwin Ostwald passage Peloponnesian Peloponnesian War perceived Pericles philosopher's phusis argument Plato's Apology Plato's Socratic polis political morality political thought politicians Polycrates primarily principles Protagoras question readers reconstruction Reeve Salamis Sicilian expedition Socratic dialogues Sparta speech Stone strategoi Themistocles Theramenes Thrasybulus Thucydides traditional trial understanding Vlastos Xenophon