The Apology

Xenophon, 431 BCE-350？ BCEProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.6

Word count: 28K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Apology by XenophonAuthor: Xenophon, 431 BCE-350? BCE,Language: English, Class: PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature, Release Date: Jan 1, 1998

Editor's review

Xenophon's Apology is a key classical text for understanding the trial of Socrates, offering a perspective complementary to Plato's work of the same name. With the pragmatic eye of an eyewitness and military man, Xenophon records Socrates' self-defense in court and his attitude toward life and death. The prose is concise and restrained, with little speculative thought and much concrete speech and action; it reads more like historical testimony than philosophical drama. Its value lies in presenting a less "idealized" Socrates, helping readers see the philosopher's situation and choices in the face of polis politics and religious accusations. The Project Gutenberg edition is a public-domain English translation, easy to obtain free and suitable for comparative reading. It is well suited as a reference after reading Plato's Apology, or as supplementary material for courses in classical political philosophy and ancient Greek history. Readers should keep in mind Xenophon's own stance and defensive aims, and should not treat the work as a neutral court record.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who have read Plato's Apology and want to compare another account
Students of ancient Greek philosophy or the history of classical political thought
General readers interested in the trial of Socrates and Athenian polis politics
Researchers who need a public-domain English classical text for close reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting systematic philosophical argument or theoretical construction
Complete beginners with no background in ancient Greek history who want an introductory guide first
Readers who want only a Chinese translation and are unwilling to engage with the public-domain English text

Reading tips

Read Plato's Apology first, then this book, and compare the differences in how the two authors portray Socrates' words.
While reading, mark Xenophon's descriptions of Socrates' specific words and actions and consider his defensive aims.
Use brief background material on Athenian religion and political institutions to understand the specific context of the accusations.
The text is short; read it in one sitting and then revisit key passages to avoid a fragmentary understanding.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

How does Xenophon's Apology differ from Plato's work of the same name?

Both describe Socrates' self-defense at his trial, but with different emphases. Plato's version is richer in philosophical argument and idealistic coloring, while Xenophon tends to record concrete words and actions and practical judgments, presenting a Socrates closer to everyday life. Reading them together reveals different narrative traditions of the same event and makes clear each author's own defensive stance.

Can I read this book without a background in ancient Greek philosophy?

Yes, but it is advisable to first learn the basic background of Socrates' trial and the religious and political environment of the Athenian polis. The book is short and relatively plain in language; the main difficulty lies in the historical context rather than the density of argument. With no background at all, reading a reliable introduction or Plato's Apology first will make it smoother.

What is this Gutenberg edition suitable for?

This edition is a public-domain English electronic text, suitable for free reading, classroom supplementation, and textual comparison, and it is easy to search for keywords for close reading. It contains no modern translation notes or detailed introduction, so it is not suitable as the sole research basis; for academic citation, check against an authoritative annotated translation.

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About the author

Xenophon, 431 BCE-350？ BCE Author

Xenophon (c. 431–c. 350 BCE) was an ancient Greek historian, military commander and prose writer. Public information about the details of his life is limited, and his works are the main basis for understanding him and his thought. The collection holds 20 of his works, including Anabasis, Hellenica, Cyropaedia and The Memorabilia. These writings combine historical narrative, military memoir and philosophical dialogue; their style is clear and plain, their narration concrete and vivid, and they are especially notable for firsthand accounts of campaigns he experienced. His works have long circulated as important sources for the study of ancient Greek politics, warfare and thought, and have influenced later historical writing and educational ideas.