Why Socrates Drunk a Cup of Poison?

Socrates wanted people to know the truth.

Socrates was a great philosopher. It would not be wrong to say that he is the father of philosophy. His students were also great philosophers like Plato, Crito, and, many more. He was born in Athens and died in Athens. His early profession was a soldier. He was a great patriot that is why he participated in many wars for his motherland. He became famous due to his answerable questions. He asked many questions to everyone. He did not write any book also he was unable to write. People asked questions to him he answered their questions by asking questions to them until they reached their answers. Then he accused due to distracting the youth. The jury of Athens said him to drunk the Hemlock (A cup of Poison ) or to shut your mouth. But he preferred to drunk Hemlock rather than to shut his mouth. Early Days of Socrates: Socrates lived his whole life in Athens. His father was a stonemason who made God Statues and other Statues and his mother was a Midwife. His mother told stories to him about Gods at night. He askes unanswerable questions to his mother and father but they ignore him. He saw nature with another angle. In young he joined the Athen’s army. He participated in many wars. He was a great patriotic. He also rescuing the future Athenian leader Alcibiades during the siege of Potidaea in 432 B.C. Socrates Ideas & Belives: In his early when his mom told stories to him at night he asked unfair questions. But sooner he believed that rather than the worship of many Gods he realized that there is only one God who running the system of life. He also had bad views about Democracy. Athen city was the founder of Democracy. He hated democracy. He said that you are going to sea journey and for this would you like to give the chance of voting to common people rather than those people who know how to drive a ship. He said voting is a skill and an art. Only those have a right to cast a vote who are well-educated and well-trained. Socrates Death Trial & Jury: People of Athen’s have strong believes on their Gods. They worship their Gods for many years in Athen’s City. But on the other hand, Socrates has different and diverse ideas and he believed in only one God. In this case, people of Athen’s become against him and they started a trial against him due to misleading the youth from their religion and also he corrupting our youth. The trial took place in the heart of the city. The trial continued until three hours. After three hours Jury members give chance to Socrates to defend himself. But rather than he defends himself against this trial he started again his preaching about his ideas and believes. The Jury consisted of 500 members. After hearing both accusers and views of Socrates, the jury of Athen’s was found guilty by a vote of 280 to 220. Then the Jury decided his punishment. They decided either he drunk a cup of poison or exile from Athens. Socrates thought that he would not like to shut his tongue about telling the truth to people. Everywhere I went will speak about the Truth. So, for this reason, he would like to drink a cup of poison rather than exiling from his city. Death Scene of Socrates: The great philosopher in the history of the world sends to jail where his death sentence was carried out. The decision was that he would drink a cup of poison (Hemlock). And Socrates would his own executioner. When Crito heard, he gestures to the slave who was standing behind. The boy went out and returned after a few short times with the man who was to manage the poison which he brought ready mixed in a cup. When Socrates saw him, he said, ‘Now, good sir, you understand these things. What must I do: He said just drink it and then walk to and fro until your legs become heavy then lay down it will soon act. Then soon after Socrates hold Hemlock in his hands and by taking permission to his students he drunk it. Socrates walked around until he said that his legs were becoming heavy, when he lay on his back, as the attendant instructed. This fellow felt him, and then a moment later examined his feet and legs again. Squeezing a foot hard, he asked him if he felt anything. Socrates said that he did not. He did the same to his calves and, going higher, showed us that he was becoming cold and stiff. Then he felt him the last time and said that when the poison reached the heart he would be gone. As the chill sensation got to his waist, Socrates uncovered his head (he had put something over it) and said his last words: ‘Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius. Do pay for it. Don’t forget.’ ‘Of course’, said Crito. ‘Do you want to say anything else?’ ‘There was no reply to this question, but after a while, he gave a slight stir, and the attendant uncovered him and examined his eyes. Then Crito saw that he was dead, he closed his mouth and eyelids. This was the end of our friend, the best, wisest and most upright man of any that I have ever known”

Socrates Private Life: Socrates married a cruel nature woman who always torturing him. When Socrates among his students she always threw a jug of water in it. Due to his cruel type of nature, he always stays away from home and spends more his time among students. His famous students later become great philosophers one of his students was Plato and many more.

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