Fifth Century B.C. Athens was the world's first democracy. From being governed by kings, it had gradually opened the franchise from a monarchy, ruled by the king, to rich landowners who made up the citizenry. Every citizen was expected to govern and perform military service for his city. However, the term citizenship was only occupied by those who had wealth, military training, were born to citizens and were men of at least eighteen years of age. According to the constitution, "eligibility for office depended on birth and wealth" (Aristotle, pg. 211 III).

Athens was characterized as a democracy because of the daily meetings held in the agora or the marketplace to discuss and vote o

And if it leads you out to war, to be wounded or killed, you must comply, and it is just that this should be so- you must not give way or abandon your position. Both in war and in the lawcourts and everywhere else you must do whatever you city and your country commands, or else persuade it that justice is on your side (Crito 51b-c, pg. 87).

a great many people who do not know [Socrates] or [himself] very well will think that I let you down, saying that I could have saved you if I had been willing to spend the money; and what could be more shameful than to get a name for thinking more of money than of you friends (Crito, 44 b-c, pg. 78)?

It is evident throughout the Apology, that Socrates believed his divine mission was ordered by god and that he was to live the life of a philosopher - examining himself and others. Socrates states: "God has assigned me to this city, as if to a large thoroughbred horse which because of its great size in inclined to be lazy and needs the stimulation of some stinging fly" (Apology, 30 e, pg. 54). He also believes, then, that god has chosen him to serve such a function. In other words, he is there to persuade and reproach the citizens of Athens, to get them to care about their virtue instead of their wealth.

Socrates already established in the Apology that those of the majority truly do not posses wisdom and virtue. Therefore Socrates responds to Crito's argument for a planned escape by stating that "as for the considerations you raise about expense and reputation and bringing up children... these are the concerns of the ordinary public, who think nothing of putting people to death, and would bring them back to life if they could, with equal indifference to reason" (Crito, 48 c, pg. 83). Socrates is clearly making reference to the majority here who make up the citizens of Athens. Those who are without the capabilities of seeking wisdom and knowledge.

Crito's reasons why Socrates should give his consent to escape can be divided in four arguments. However, it is important to examine only one. If Socrates dies by way of the death penalty, Crito will acquire a dishonourable reputation. Crito claims that

The following passage is found in Plato's Crito, in which Socrates is in prison awaiting death. Crito, a friend of Socrates, strives to persuade him to escape. However, Socrates, through the use of a personification of Athens' laws, explains why it would be wrong for him to do so.

Socrates believes that as an Athenian, a citizen of the greatest city with the greatest reputation for both wisdom and power, they should be ashamed of their eagerness to posses as much wealth, reputation and honors as possible where as they do not care for nor give thought to wisdom or truth, or the best possible state of their souls (Apology, 29 d- e, pg. 53). Socrates, then, suggests that virtues are the greatest and most important things and that without them nothing else is equally as good. Therefore, "wealth does not bring goodness (or virtue), but goodness (or virtue) brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and to the state" (Apology, 30 b, pg. 53).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2252
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)