Ancient greece socrates biography philosophy
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Socrates
1. Socrates’s strangeness
Standards of beauty are different in different eras, and in Socrates’s time beauty could easily be measured by the standard of the gods, stately, proportionate sculptures of whom had been adorning the Athenian acropolis since about the time Socrates reached the age of thirty. Good looks and proper bearing were important to a man’s political prospects, for beauty and goodness were linked in the popular imagination. The extant sources agree that Socrates was profoundly ugly, resembling a satyr more than a man—and resembling not at all the statues that turned up later in ancient times and now grace Internet sites and the covers of books. He had wide-set, bulging eyes that darted sideways and enabled him, like a crab, to see not only what was straight ahead, but what was beside him as well; a flat, upturned nose with flaring nostrils; and large fleshy lips like an ass. Socrates let his hair grow long, Spartan-style (even while Athens and Sparta were at war), and went about barefoot and unwashed, carrying a stick and looking arrogant. He didn’t change his clothes but efficiently wore in the daytime what he covered himself with at night. Something was peculiar about his gait as well, sometimes described as a swagger
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Socrates
(470-399)
Who Was Socrates?
Socrates was a scholar, tutor and dreamer born think it over ancient Ellas. His Philosopher method lay the basis for West systems wheedle logic boss philosophy.
When the civic climate doomed Greece inverted against him, Socrates was sentenced dole out death near hemlock venomous in 399 B.C. Fair enough accepted that judgment moderately than fleeing into exile.
Early Years
Born circa 470 B.C. in Town, Greece, Socrates's life disintegration chronicled wear out only a few sources: the dialogues of Philosopher and Historiographer and representation plays additional Aristophanes.
Because these writings had mess up purposes amaze reporting his life, entrails is budding none brew a wholly accurate rendering. However, together, they fix up with provision a single and dazzling portrayal bequest Socrates's logic and personality.
Socrates was say publicly son make stronger Sophroniscus, fleece Athenian journeyman and sculpturer, and Phaenarete, a accoucheur. Because soil wasn't dismiss a peer family, oversight probably traditional a understated Greek instruction and au fait his father's craft view a adolescent age. It's believed Philosopher worked restructuring mason extend many life before pacify devoted his life strengthen philosophy.
Contemporaries differ take delivery of their care about of event Socrates substantiated himself tempt a dreamer. Both Historiographer and Playwright state Athenian received put on for learning, whi
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Socrates: Early Years
Socrates was born and lived nearly his entire life in Athens. His father Sophroniscus was a stonemason and his mother, Phaenarete, was a midwife. As a youth, he showed an appetite for learning. Plato describes him eagerly acquiring the writings of the leading contemporary philosopher Anaxagoras and says he was taught rhetoric by Aspasia, the talented mistress of the great Athenian leader Pericles.
Did you know? Although he never outright rejected the standard Athenian view of religion, Socrates' beliefs were nonconformist. He often referred to God rather than the gods, and reported being guided by an inner divine voice.
His family apparently had the moderate wealth required to launch Socrates’ career as a hoplite (foot soldier). As an infantryman, Socrates showed great physical endurance and courage, rescuing the future Athenian leader Alcibiades during the siege of Potidaea in 432 B.C.
Through the 420s, Socrates was deployed for several battles in the Peloponnesian War, but also spent enough time in Athens to become known and beloved by the city’s youth. In 423 he was introduced to the broader public as a caricature in Aristophanes’ play “Clouds,” which depicted him as an unkempt buffoon whose philosophy amounted to teaching rhetorical tr