From Socrates to the Stoics · 1 / 9
A question in the square
Athens · 5th century BCE
One path through ancient Greek and Roman thought—not the beginning of all philosophy, or a story in which everyone agrees. Walk from Classical Athens through the early Stoic schools to the Roman world.
In Athens, Socrates made conversation a way of examining life. His questioning also provoked hostility. At his trial in 399 BCE, Plato portrays him defending a life devoted to inquiry. We meet Socrates through others’ writings; he left no philosophical books of his own.
Historical narrative · Alrewaqthe life which is unexamined is not worth living
Apology 38a · Plato
Begin gently. What is one belief you inherited that you would like to understand for yourself?
References
These are the words of Socrates as portrayed by Plato, not a surviving transcript. In the trial speech, he explains why he cannot give up examining virtue. His uncompromising claim belongs to that defense; our invitation is to reflect, not to judge anyone’s life as worthless.
Benjamin Jowett translation
Artwork: an imagined setting inspired by the era, not a reconstruction of a specific building.