Book 3, The Apology: Chapter 1, Introduction & The Apology Summary and Analysis

The introduction reminds readers that Socrates became sufficiently well-known amongst the literary set of Athens that he was written about by more than one person. In addition to being used by Plato, and beyond the local court records and other basic documents, there are also other accounts of Socrates. One of these has already been mentioned. He was also written of by a fellow Athenian named Xenophon who wrote three works that included him, one of which was entitled Memorabilia. The playwright Aristophenes further helped to proverbially immortalize him by writing The Clouds. Readers must understand that the meaning of the word 'apology' in this context is unlike the usual meaning of the modern era and society. It is intended to indicate Socrates' entire defense at the trial. This...