Apology (Xenophon)

Xenophon's Apology (in full Apology of Socrates to the jury) describes Socrates' state of mind at his trial and execution, and especially his view that it was better to die before senility set in than to escape execution by humbling himself before an unjust persecution. Specialists believe that Xenophon's interpretation of the trial was written in response to a widespread literary reaction following the trial, where Athenian public figures and authors used the theme of Socrates trial to state their views on his guilt. The main part of the text is a direct blow for blow rejection of a particular attack on Socrates' character by an opponent of Socrates. The text gives clear indication on the charges brought against Socrates by Anytus, and is often used on this point in comparison with Plato's version. Xenophon was away at the time, involved in the events of the march of the Ten Thousand. He cites Hermogenes, who witnessed the events, as his source for the factual elements of the trial.
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