
WERELD BIBLIOTHEEK
A vivid dramatization brings us into the final hours of a great Athenian thinker, as his disciple Phaedo recounts the scene to a curious companion. The dialogue opens with a probing exchange about the night Socrates drank hemlock, the ritual ship to Delos, and the solemn customs that delayed his execution. Listeners are invited into the bustling courtyard of friends, philosophers, and citizens who gathered to witness the philosopher’s calm surrender.
Through measured, rhythmic conversation, the work explores the paradox of grief and joy that swirls around a death marked by fearless composure. It captures the clash between civic law, religious observance, and the timeless pursuit of wisdom, offering a window into ancient attitudes toward the soul and the good life. The rich character interactions—Echecrates, Apollodorus, and others—bring the historical moment to life, making the philosophical reflections both intimate and resonant.
Language
nl
Duration
~2 hours (172K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Amsterdam: Maatschappij voor Goede en Goedkoope Lectuur, 1919.
Credits
Wouter Franssen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague)
Release date
2023-08-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

-428–-348
One of the great thinkers of ancient Greece, this Athenian philosopher shaped Western thought through vivid dialogues, big questions, and a school that would influence centuries of learning. His works still feel alive because they turn philosophy into conversation.
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