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Catalogue no: NA423912D
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Review by Sue Arnold, The Guardian

Since our knowledge of Socrates’ teaching, theories and life comes principally through his student Plato – the philosopher himself never wrote anything down – this is as near to a firsthand account of one of history’s most catastrophic events as we shall ever get. There were laws but no professional lawyers in ancient Athens. Private individuals, usually those who had brought the case to court, acted as prosecutors in front of a jury consisting of 500 citizens. That way, it was reckoned, no one could be bribed. Trials could last for no more than one day, with one speech apiece from the prosecutor and the defendant, each calling their own witnesses. The jury decided on the sentence, which ranged from a fine to confiscation of all property to exile and ultimately death. The prosecutor usually began by demanding the death penalty, counting on the jury to do a bit of bargaining. Had he not been so arrogant, it is possible that Socrates might have escaped with a lighter sentence, but listening to his speech you can see why he didn’t exactly endear himself to his audience. This is real-life drama brilliantly re-enacted. As for his dying words – “We owe a cock to Asclepius, pay it and do not forget” – they beat “bugger Bognor” hands down.