Apology of Socrates I

On the paradigmatic philosopher

Socrates is considered the founder of political philosophy. According to Cicero, he brought philosophy down from the heavens into the streets. Aside from Aristophanes, Plato, and Xenophon, we know very little about the historical Socrates. We do know that only Aristophanes (the famous comic poet who wrote the Clouds) wrote about Socrates while he was alive. We also know that both Plato and Xenophon were 27 years old when Socrates was executed. Finally, the sources agree on a few things: Chaerophon was a constant companion and Socrates spoke cleverly.