When Socrates was found guilty of corrupting youth, he suggested his punishment be free dinners for life!

When Socrates was found guilty of corrupting youth, he suggested his punishment be free dinners for life!

In 399 BC, when Socrates was an old man, three citizens brought charges against Socrates. A trial was held. In ancient Athens the procedure was quite different from the present day. There was a jury of 500 men drawn from the citizens.

Both the accusers and the defendant had to make speeches in person to the jury. Guilt or innocence was by majority vote. There was no preset penalty if the verdict was 'guilty'.

Both the accuser and the defendant would make speeches proposing what the penalty should be. Again, a vote was taken.

He was charged for not believing in the Gods and for corrupting the youth with his teachings. After being found guilty, Socrates was asked to propose his punishment, Socrates said that the government should give him free dinners for the rest of his life for all the good that he did for society.

The court held a vote between giving Socrates a fine to pay or putting him to death. The verdict was that Socrates was to be put to death.

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