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The Apology

by Xenophon (-431–-355)

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  • 20 min read
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"The Apology" by Xenophon is a Socratic dialogue written about the trial of Socrates in 399 BC. The work presents Socrates's legal defense against charges of corrupting Athenian youth and impiety. Based on accounts from Hermogenes, who attended the trial, Xenophon portrays Socrates's boastful speaking manner as deliberate strategy. The philosopher argues that death is preferable to senility and humbling oneself before unjust persecution. This interpretation contrasts notably with Plato's more famous account of the same trial.

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  • Classical literature
  • Socrates, 470 BC-399 BC

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Produced by John Bickers

THE APOLOGY

By Xenophon

Translation by H. G. Dakyns

Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a
pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans,
and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land
and property in Scillus, where he lived for many
years before having to move once more, to settle
in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C.

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About this edition

This free edition of The Apology by Xenophon comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1171, released 1998-01-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Classics of Literature, History - Ancient, Philosophy & Ethics.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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