Several of ancient Greek philosopher, Plato's
dialogues recount the trial, sentence and execution of Socrates, with his friends
gathered around. The paper shows that an image of the man emerges from these
dialogues, showing him to be a person of fierce integrity, a man who would rather die than consider himself dishonored and a man who charges his friends to allow him to live life as he sees fit. Even as Socrates challenges aspects of the
society of Athens, he demonstrates the importance of certain values in that society both in his own person and even in the charges brought against him, however incorrect those charges may be. The paper shows how, in the dialogues "Apology", "Crito", "Euthyphro" and "Phaedo", Plato addresses the events leading up to the death of Socrates, his mentor, and the injustices visited on that individual by a society that did not understand his method of teaching.