Prison of the philosopher Socrates

The prison of the philosopher Socrates is located at the foot of Philopappou Hill. The caves of the carved structure are related to the unjust punishment of the famous philosopher, made it a popular place among tourists. Socrates was imprisoned and spent 30 days here awaiting his death sentence. In 399 B.C., the 70-year-old philosopher was charged with not honoring the gods and seducing young citizens. It was known that he loved to pester passers-by with questions and talk to them on topics he liked. A jury of 500+1 people reached a verdict where the vote was 221 in favor of acquittal and 280 against. After the verdict, Socrates' friend Apollodorus weeping said, I find it especially hard that you are sentenced to death unjustly. To which Socrates replied, it would be more pleasant to see me sentenced justly. The court gave Socrates the right to choose his own fate, to which he replied, instead of punishment, the government should thank him and feed him free of charge for the rest of his life. We do not know what death is and it is not logical to fear it, he said. Before he died, he said, “It's time for us to leave this place, for me to die and you to live. And no one knows where it's best but God. His friends offered to set him free, but he said, “The law is harsh, but it's the law,” and drank the poison. It is not known whether this is really the same cave where Socrates was, but there is an opinion that it could be an ordinary dwelling house or a bathhouse. Such a practice is quite common these days on the island of Santorini. But one way or another, it is definitely worth seeing this dungeon and remembering this extraordinary man.