The Importance Of The Trial Of Socrates In Ancient Athens

Throughout the course of history, there have been controversial trials that were heavily influenced by surrounding events during that time period. For instance, when people in colonial Massachusetts were sentenced to death in the Salem Witch trials based on false accusations, there existed a strong belief that the devil was actively present in their civilization. Thus when the doctors failed to find the cause of illness of two girls, the people in this society assured that witchcraft was involved and many people were executed as a result. Another example of criminal trials being influenced by surrounding cultural conditions was when the scientist Galileo Galilei was placed on house arrest because his views contradicted from those of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church claimed that the Earth was the center of the earth and, according to the church, the “Bible naturally took precedence over any reasoning or speculation independent of theology” . This paper will examine another important trial that has similar characteristics: the trial of Socrates in ancient Athens.
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From the accusation, Socrates claims that the youth often imitate him by examining others and realize that there is sufficient people “who think they know something, but really know little or nothing.” It is clear that Socrates’ teachings does not benefit those who are prominent in Athenian society if the youth do no approve of them. Socrates cross-examines Meletus, his prime accuser, in order to defend himself against the corruption of youth. He claims that Meletus is a “doer of evil” because he brings up matters in which he does not have the smallest interest