His enemies grew in numbers and brought false charges that Socrates had not respected the gods of the city.
PORCH OF THE CARYATIDES, ATHENS
There came a day when he was called before the city's judges, who heard the charges against him. The judges decided that he must die by drinking a cup of poison. Some of the friends of Socrates found a way by which he could escape death. But the brave old Greek had faced death on the battlefield and was not afraid to die.
The death of Socrates
Socrates believed that the laws of the city should be obeyed even if they were unjust. He drank the fatal cup while telling his friends and followers of a life beyond the grave. It was a favorite doctrine of Socrates that men would live again after the body died.
We know what Socrates taught from the writings of his most famous pupil, Plato. These Dialogues of Plato's, in the form of question and answer, are among the greatest books ever written.
A very learned man
265. Aristotle, the Scientist of Ancient Times. Aristotle was one of the later Greeks. He was celebrated for his learning. He was called a "Scientist," for he was not simply a philosopher as Socrates and Plato were.