THE FIRST TRIAL

It is a mythical reading of Socrates trial.

Kay Hassan

 I was  proud for having  supposed to say- in the court of the city, for the first time, after a long  cruel ban."I am  Hector son  of  Zeus and Pericles the noblest  man  of Athens, and the prominent  peer of all elite men of Greece." 

In fact I thought for a long while and promoted  my oratory skills, and appearance  exaggeratedly   for many reasons. (Ethically, and  Aesthetically I had to display Pericles in his full swing in a city has always  highly over esteemed the daily gossips of the women in ,and our sculptors had to see the clearest  picture of  the young Pericles.)

I was indeed  brewed atrociously  for the summer event - our grand final of the the year which was to be held under the eyes  of the noble  men  of Athens  who were always  keen  to blend  their  daily affairs with the  gods' court in the sky.

 They lifted  our  ambition  up  beyond the visible limits  with divinely  belief which  mattered in  their prospective  to magnify the  gallantry and valor of the city,in order  to maintain  at all levels the fortune and dignity of  Athenians' first citizens, under the gods' eyes.However, awkwardly, during those days it looked  all my skills and family's heritages were merged with their unlimited desires..   .

 I remember many things in the court: The fresh air of the morning, particularly,  lacked   the odor of our national floral emblem - flowers of desires : Jasmine, asphodel and  narcissus of Elysian fields, however, it was not the right  season for such  exotic species.Instead  withered flowers, nestled midst  the yellow grass and barbed  herbs, by the parlor and around the fence ,  struggling desperately  in different ways to stay alive . I had tried to hide my real face, watching secretly the great men of Athens, the renown ones - the closest to the  gods' throne- court.

Anytus  son Anthemion , Melletus and Lycon in particular were sitting next to each other. They drank and set the glasses on the marble, The guards, further down, were playing with swords and shields, while some little boys  in white tunics  were sitting angel like  on the  stone fence, and gazing stunningly at the adults' holy game. .

The city's mood  was in a great chaos, urging me, in fact, to loose my nerve, when,  my  first and foremost  duty was to put everything in order. I was  a brilliant general of Athens  , somehow was a legend  of city's war  as an obscure descendant of Pericles, and additionally   having my reputation spread in the country with a thousand rumors. I was the finest officer who had never given in to the tyrants, though had no trust in all those hypocrites in the city, including myself- to face Socrates. 

Stately,anyway, I was now in particular,  part of the most grave occasion at Athens’ court with  more than five hundred jurors   ; the wealthiest men of the city. They were, in fact,  playing the  roles of Magistrates-Judges  and  jurors " Dikasts", Local citizens and almost all elite men of the city were to attend the event. 'I thought  everyone   was running  late'. For I was  greedy and egocentric, looking forward to set my aims among-st  the great lords of Athens, paving  my  path   for glory and love. Dikasts were anxious too, to have their great  verdict  heard at any cost. (Against someone who dared to ridicule their system of belief.)  

The trial,in fact was behind the scene, where for my surprise, I felt the whole place was haunted by evil souls and everything was  sinister about their murmuring voices.Nevertheless I was proud and arrogant, for having yet  steadily stirred the  court's  mood  to magnify my role; bridging at any cost the gaps between the  Socrates' rivals until,  suddenly a huddling crowed blocked the other side of the court. I was anxious to watch the scene, when in particular  a startling  growl  ran through the crowd..... "Socrates...Socrates."

 Everyone was stunned , including  his accusers   Anytus , Melletus and Lycon, who hid their fear by  malicious laughter -I overheard them for a short while.

 "Finally, the city is  coming to rest," said  Anytus..

" We owe Zeus a huge sacrifice," said Melletus.

"Ye, you both right, let me then tell the story," said Lycon, and looked at me suspiciously.

"This young general does not know how to play the game," said he Anytus.

"He does not harm anyone except himself, " said Mellius.

"Better say; he does not know how enjoy himself ."

Right, I thought, because I was banned from the enjoyment of the kind, by the family's tradition...and  physically or mentally, would not feel anything in their type of enjoyment , in the old man's trial. Though somewhat it looked arbitrary, but I had never  breached  the ban.

Disguised,I thought I was, particularly when  a sweet whisper, breathed in my ear and  mythical-ly  sought  help for the old man... "Rumors and gossips might bring you down, son."

Stunned, with a frozen mind, I snapped. "Aspasia. It is not a right time."

Aspasia, I knew her voice, and tried my best to  dismiss her.

There was a pause..".Aspasia." I said "Aspasia."

 She did not respond, and sooner, I saw the reason.

 She was stricken by Xantippe’s carriage, and barely could gather herself to  blow storm like. "Zeus, Almighty! Xantippe is alive, isn't she? "

"The old  man will throws you out, xantippe," said Aspasia.

 I knew no one loved the life as much as Aspasia did, but never was told me why she hated Xantippe. "Get out of here," I mumbled  nervously, but she showed me how passionate was she to instruct me.

 Ironically Aspasia  ridiculed many  duties when  was alive. "You are jealous, and  don't tolerate, do you?" I  said , and thought nastily... based on the fact that  the two stubborn women had always hated  each other. But, instantly, remembered the Athenians' say.'Only Socratic and  Pericles could tolerate  Xantippe and  Aspasia."....as if  was probing  my head she gasped.

"He is a man of faith, son, " Aspasia  snapped.

"Who?" I replied nervously.

"I talk...you shut your mouth up," said she.

"Hector!Who do you think, I mean?"

" Alas; since when have  been governed  by dead," I mumbled to myself.
"Son, we won't die like commoners," said she.

I  was, however, distracted by the view ".Xantippe." I snapped  .(For having banned by her husband to attend the court.) Xantippe, the woman of thunder and rain; she was watching the scene sternly... her faded eyes and lips  were no more posing a threat at Socrates . I could not read on her face anything , except the sadness of a woman who dedicated herself for her family.There was a narrow alley between us,  where through the pro Socrates' citizens  walked  slowly... midst the hailing  crowd- "Kill Socrates - ban Socrates."

Without having planned for, I set off stepping forward under the cold sun rays to watch the man more closely. "What a miracle !"  I heard more whispers. And as the  old man neared , the court started  shaking and quaking under his feet, where restlessly we watched him in , until he halted ,on his own, looking up for awhile midst the ruthlessness of the  chattering crowd.

Mildly, then the old man smiled.  "Hector, look at the height of the truth" Aspasia squeaked.

"Out of my sight, woman," I gasped nervously.

"I talk ...you shut up."

"And see  how his divine eyes glowing Ode to Zeus,"  said she.

Nevertheless, arrogantly I  had myself desensitised -blindingly, looking for the evil  eyes in the head of the man to tempt the horde  to  scream, together. "Zeus!…Strike the blasphemer  down."

 "None of you  could see the real man of Athens," screamed Aspasia.

"This man has deprived people of ; rest, peace, routine, belief and freedom."

"Hector ...Hector, you were named after the mighty Hector."

 "Athena says her word."

"No, a handful of hypocrites are murdering the finest man of Athens.."

......................................................................***

The Magistrates were satisfied  with my services.Actually have been told "Lead the event as fairly as you can."

"Every one is against him," said Aspasia." Where are his friend?"

 I was wholesome, smart and ambitious, having inherited from my fathers and Aspasia,  rhetoric, wisdom and courage. I looked at the man's face  again , hesitantly murmuring to myself. "Come on, Hector, he is not Achilles... come on general, it is your day ."

"Look around yourself, Hector, who do you defend?" said Aspasia.

"You have no right in my life," I snapped .

"Your ears and your eyes are corrupted, son, smell those around you."

"Get out of here, Aspasia."

"I know you have to fear them," said she.

"I won't," I said defiantly.

Struck, by my savage sense, immediately, and smelt around my flesh, the stinking breathe of the same men  who defamed Prickles, and my mother  Aspasia, the brilliant Milesian hetaera* in Athens, but could not yet give in to her, all the same.

"Get out of my sight, Aspasia. You are dead," I said again.

"Right...."

 "You had let down my father-s." I screamed.

"Look, how filthy your language became...I am with them," said she.

"Socrates…wow…for the  god's love, LOOK, son," said she.

I had not forgotten the revenge , but not the way Aspasia needed me to.

 "Zeus,Almighty,  cast a glance at the light stricken, resting at Elysion Field,"  she rhymed.

"Oh, fathers, pray thy,  silence Aspasia."  I said, and listened to Anytus.

"I kept telling him stay away from my son," said Anytus .

I knew Mellitus had accused Socrates in the first place for youth corruption.I backed him stubbornly, until too late, ironically, by  my own, found out was hidden behind his claim.

Hence, apparently I disappointed all Prickles’ friends, in the first place..

"  Zeus Redeemer, You see who accuses  the finest man of Athens," Aspasia bellowed desperately...And with her growl I remembered what I had written to Xenophon about my view on Socrates."When I loved poems, Aristophanes and others defamed my father, Prickles. When I loved philosophy, Socrates and others defamed my father, Zeus.”The man, actually  had written to me.. "You  have no reason to resent Socrates; you are young and son of Prickles."

Everyone was waiting for my speech. I was gazing at the frame of the old man ,down there out of many. He was weak and ancient; had a skin  of seventy years ...dead in my view, though eyes yet  were steadily glowing  the spirit of those pious men who never give in , and as a stubborn flag-bearer keeps his  flag held high in battlefields' sky..

Fragile, though he was, I have never seen such a strength ... when he moved, I saw an emerald like shadow of a man had not not been looked after by  our wild, nature; yet murmuring Odes to Wisdom;  radiant  and aglow,  launching Zeus’ lights, and peace upon the cold place;  the dull stone- court of the city.

Stimulated, thought  by the judges growl. " Hector.Crush him. Crush his cause. " I feared obscure  threats,They hailed, and I lost between the hazy atmosphere.and the squeaks  of the orators -accusers, whom I read in their eyes how dangerously  they lacked integrity.

"Crush his cause "

The man was still standing by himself farther down our seats, whispering his rage mildly, midst hypocrites of all kinds. "For history," cynically said he." You must practice the  κανονικός ' dialogue.' rules, " said he, and prepared to a big blow. .

"Hold on,sir, " I said apologetically."We can't start now."

But the old man ignored my notion, and went on. " You set targets, based on desires, don't you?Son of  wise  Pericles ," said he.

"Honor him, Hector, he is  Zeus' tongue on Earth, " Aspasia said.

"They accused me of having  corrupted  Athenian women, and  caused the Peloponnesian War, ."  said Aspasia.

"I was the same way without trial  exactly for the same sin?” said she.

 "Out of my sight, you are dead,"  I screamed.

"I am with Zeus and Prickles, son,"  she replied.

 "He denies Zeus, Aspasia," I screamed.

" He denies  Zeus of hypocrites," said she.

" There is one Zeus," I said." And his name  we adore."

 "You know nothing, Hector, "

"Mother….."   I screamed.

Strange! I saw flickering lights under the philosopher's feet.

"Keep far from the juries," the chief magistrates said and  nodded to Socrates to move further away   from the juries.Probably, I thought   he feared the philosopher's charm.

He looked up through his divine eyes, and doubted  the  Chief Magistrate had ever had a slightest trace of mercy on his preys.

 Everyone, trembled. I trembled too, and sunk in my guilt. The ground quaked under my feet.

"Earthquake!" someone screamed.

The scream brought disorder and confusion.

"Nonsense," bellowed a vulgar priest."He is an ungrateful impious beast ."

"Talk, Hector, talk, son of a bitch, you are a half holy,"  every one screamed.

I was then  startled violently by the old man's bravery- feeling  I am not up to any virtue.

"Would you fellow  Athens, let me defend the truth,"  Socrates said.

Like a mean  pro hypocrites I growled."Hold on, sophist." ....and asked the magistrates to open the court officially. "

Shall we start, sir?"  I said.

"You should have asked earlier . Little Prickles," the Chief Magistrate grunted.

"I was distracted, sir," I said.

"Who distracted you, for Zeus' sake?" the Chief Magistrate bellowed, impenitently.

" We have ample time."

"No , we have no time."

"We shall not let the  sophist speak, "said he privately.

"It is all about the freedom of speech, sir."

"Not today, Hector.You'd better quit."

"I won't unless you force me."

I could not admit any better. Such a sudden desire , I thought, will bring  me  down. Doubtless everyone was watching me, and  reminding me of  Aspasia's disaster.

I was alone for a long time.But recently was ,grateful  for having been invited for such a grave event .I had no real friends in the city.Hence confessed."Aspasia distracts me, sir.'’ I said. He breathed in relief and looked at me sternly, trying to find more words to humiliate me. "She destroyed Prickles and seduced Zues. Now it is your turn, Hector," the Chief Magistrate said.

"I appreciate your advice, master but she is my holy mother. She talks to me," I said.

"Doubtless tries to rescue the old man, through you, Hector."

"I understand the nature of my task.  I had to pass Zeus’s words as a man not as a priest ,'’ the divine one whispered, and quite clearly everyone heard his words.

"One of you willingly, should guard Zeus’ word," said he with  a  jubilantly breathe,  and nodded to me to get ready.

"Zues's word."  I whispered to myself, and told the chief magistrate. "He believes in Him!".....

" Zeus has heard him. Talk, Hector, talk," the crowd squeaked.                                                                 " Zeus hear everyone," I said.

"Not   blasphemer."

"It is Aspasia," the chief magistrate said.

"Aspasia! Holy Moly," said said.

It was a real disaster. The crowd started sweeping the air by their hand.

The worst man claimed to sacrifice Hector to Zeus.

 I lost my nerve, and everyone saw my frozen face. In fact the accusers and witnesses  rushed barbarously and threw me over my place...

"Leave the court immediately, Hector," said the chief magistrate

I heard him quite clearly, but refused to obey him. I am as noble as he is, I thought..

"Athenians, " Socrates said..

"Listen to me. I am telling you the truth."

 The whole crowd roared to  silence him.

"I do not want you to get involved any more, Hector," the jurors said with a roaring growl.

"You are wrong, unless having falsified the evidences,"I said, actually, I thought it must be possible to infer a common intention, as they  looked so  awkward in comparison with Socrates..

"Get out of here, Hector."

"His word is a  curse," the crowed roared.

"You know nothing," I thundered barbarously to silence the crowd.And as they looked at me furiously I bellowed again."You know nothing."

..............................................................***

 With daggers of tongue, they attacked Socrates, ; they roared and raged, until the chief magistrate snapped. .

"Order, order." I was silenced, but would not mind to believe  Aspasia had put a curse on me. She had tied my tongue indeed.I had not obeyed the order, anyway. Socrates halted; he looked at me and smiled,strangely. I thought he did so, for having noticed in my eyes the traces of Aspasia. And somehow we  were now  silent, and stayed silent for a long while.

During the pause,we listened to crickets, frogs, birds and goats on the rocks around the court's  building. And then, someone  broke the silence. Socrates walked in his threadbare clothes, midst a sudden  nasty outburst of jeering laughter. Then there was a silence again . He was looking forward and around while a yellow snake was crawling midst the juries.

"A miracle quaked  three islands, "  An awkward peasant screamed on the fringe of the court.

"Zeus- Savior."

 "I had  been running  for a long time to bring the news to Athens."

"Go to the city."

"I could not find a single man in the city," said he.

"Go back to where you came from."

" O, men of Athens ,are you so worriedly scared  of a bare handed old man?" .

" Out of the city, barbarian," the magistrates screamed.

"I am Greek not a  Barbarian," said he.

"What are looking for?Money, we give you money, " some citizens screamed cynically.

"No, keep your money for yourself, and keep Socrates for the city."

"Leave the city, peasant, he is himself in need to be taught."

"You must be wrong, Master."

"Why do you say that, peasant?"

"I say that because I see with my eyes."

"Tell what do you see."

"I am living in far- east- on the caravan roads.Merchants trade gold with Socrates' aphorisms ," said the peasant.The crowd roared and laughed at the peasant,the nastiest man, said. "We give you  Socrates himself  for a piece of silver, peasant,"said the nastiest man in the city, and pushed the peasant out of the court.

"I have never seen Athens in such a chaos," said he and went away.

As was listening to the peasant's growl, I told one of my guards to take care of him. "Take him home,  help him," said I before the the divine eyes made me swinging  with a  blank mind. " Am I, Hector,  surrendering  to a true man or a Goddamn, sophist?" I said desperately.

  He is graceful in his defeat, I thought,  Athens' lads will remember him with  authoritative vibrating  voice, forever." Speak ..." says  he "Speak, so I may  see you," says he.

Yielding, I  was yielding further and further, until  was passionate to kneel, indeed, in order to further his cause.

.........................................................................***

No one was certain about anything , I thought, for a long while, doubtless he  distracted the magistrates' focus- that is why the chief magistrate readied  to escape the inconvenient moments.

"We are  all Athenians-  grown up men and he is alone,"  said he oddly .

" He is not alone, sir; he has the truth with him,'’ I said .

"The truth?" he said cynically." Oh, ye... the sophist's truth. " He  kept mocking the old man and looking at me nastily.

 " Is  Hector with him, or with us?"  a murmur ran in the court

  "Find your place, son of Aspasia," grunted the Chief Magistrate .

"I will have my place, sir,"  I said.

 He looked disappointed, for having expected me to beg him.

‘You are Aspasia’s son, indeed !"  he said.

"Oh, yeh. I am indeed."

"Are  you aware of the weight of  the accusations this court is heaping  upon Socrates' head, "  he shrieked.

"Yes, I am."

"Yes I am!" snapped he.

"Man, we set upon him all the city's  rage, and our failures ,"the  magistrate whispered.

"Hector, it is not too late. Listen to me."

 "I am listening to the truth."

Socrates smiled, and then ironically he advised the chef magistrate to work hard.."Well,if have worked hard,  you will have the juries  released the verdict, by the end of the day," said he.

"When Magistrates speak, Sophists shut up."

"Not Socrates," said the philosopher.

" It has already been prophesied,  "said the Chief magistrate.

"You should  not have said that, sir. You will regret it, forever, "I said.

"Really?" said he.

"He is a great treasure for Athens,even if we have not recognized him," said I.

" Treasure! Then I dare  say by inference - justice  is useful when money is useless, and just  is not gonna happen," said he cynically. "I quot from his  quarrels at Agora ...usually his students write or practice his way to bother the reverend citizens  ."

Then, there again Socrates interfered.

" If a just man predicted the verdict, it’s  better to  send himself to jail instead of the convicts," said Socrates. I felt the philosopher  was scared  of being brought there- to face heads never had tried to perceive the spirit of justice.

Sumptuously, the pompous orators lined up upon their waiting for the universal verdict., looking for a concrete spot to set feet on , but the master Sun- God stayed silently,and  foresaw Mellitus' destiny- publicly."My ghost will follow you and banish you from the city , Mellitus of Pithus," said Socrates. Mellitus was shocked, and started  reading poems, in  his revenge.

"And my  beloved friends  by then will have written  his own papyrus  on his old teacher," said Socrates." I am Grateful,in advance.."

I knew sooner how Plato write "None of you, poets of Athens enters the Good City of philosophy."

I was eager to tell him. "Oh, young master.  You make the philosopher a leader, in your city . and won't let a  poet  write a  single song. If you hate Mellitus, Mellitus is not a poet and if you hate Aristophanes, Aristophanes is not the whole poems  "

" Mellitus, as Plato says: Having a beak, and long straight hair, and ill grown beard. Does not  mean not to giving him a fair trial," said Socrates to shock the crowed.

"You dared corrupt the heads of our youth- and now you send messages to posterity ."

 "I sentenced Socrates before you dare to, "  said Socrates.

Immediately, I felt he had designed his death jubilantly.

" Have you ever distinguished between Socrates and charlatans.?"the chief magistrate thundered and covered his face with his hands.

                                                            ***

Objected, we roared  for a while, however, we could not do any better.

"That is their everlasting dilemma, "  Plato said." I dare say: Talk, Master, talk."........

"Who is Anytus’s son, what is democracy, Tyrannies, gods, corruption, that you accused me of... then  why you stayed silent all those years... is it a new episode?"said he.

"Could men of Athens forgive Critias ? It would be the highest possible virtue for man to forgive."

"That is my view as philosopher, even if I was condemned for being so."

"Who ever bestowed upon me the pleasure of philosophy- the gift- I presented it to you, children of Greece, and I swear to Zeus, had never hidden a slightest knowledge from you.".....

"For truth have struggled, sacrificed and fought for many many years."

My mind was  enlightened ,he  swore to Zeus.

"I  am  learning, Aspasia."  I murmured.

" It would be hard to face them here, son."  Aspasia whispered.

"But, I am ready."

"Let the mere prophet be on top of very, very many."  I screamed, and  shrunk in my skin.

"It is the end of  Socrates, but not philosophy’s, " Socrates, said, before the guards surrounded  Socrates' apostles, and drove  them away - from him.

                                                                          ****

The jurors were shouting about the way Litigants  limited their role , by posing conditions on Socrates' speech, in advance,

"We do not listen to  his sophistic gibberish and charming words," the chief magistrate said, and urged  the first Litigant to read  the accusation statement again- after they demonized me.

"Based on our commitment to give a fair deal to the daily life of  the Athens's citizens we respond to the accusations made by the reverend citizens  Mellitus  and others on the citizen Socrates. Briefly, in their complaint, they  stirred the  public concern about Socrates' long term -digging in our basic values by demonize our belief. He is known for being impious- insulting our gods and  corrupting his students and friends, and was suspiciously close to Critias and Alcibiades "

Then they circulated  the awkward statements,Socrates himself had phrased them formally , which  then  mingled with the growls of  Mellitus, Anytus, and Lycon, and the shouting of the  corrupted Jurors, followed by  a roaring outcry ran across the court; it was a mixture of objection and agreement, before the second Litigant showed  his hand to,oppose the whole statement.

The man bellowed. "This man is beyond what has been mentioned her about him.He has strictly controlled himself better  than anyone. He was capable to endure all kinds of weather and poverty, and never was late to offer  help to anyone asked for help- he taught our youth and never stopped  learning  virtues  and  with good willing  touched every aspects of our life- he is who said ; the divinity gives me a sign... he taught us ;who we have to choose to run our enterprises."

" It is Socrates's duty to defend Socrates?" the first litigant said.

Since no one opposed the first litigant's proposal, Socrates found responded immediately.

"You saw me most often in Agora," Socrates said.

"Oh, good man,they won't want you there anymore," I shouted..

"I agree," said he."Actually I started missing my Agora."

" I agree with Plato for having purely affiliated with the truth more than Socrates, but note agree with who failed to acquire the virtues of their good parents. for certain I mean Mellitus, Anytus, and Lycon, who for personal causes corrupt the long lived spirit of the just in Athens.".......... "Athenians, anyway,are fond of gossips . Let me more specifically tell the story ...they  say, I am  committing an injustice, in that I inquire  into things below the earth and in the sky...was not it one of  Aristophanes' joke. By the way we were in a very  good term?" said he.

"We can't let this sophist twist the facts by his oratory skills," said the first Litigant

"As a citizen he  is granted his  right to speak,"  the second litigant said.

"But not as Socrates,"growled the chief magistrate.

"Hector was silenced for the same reason. He could not silence him."

"What do  you expect from this court?"

"Stop the dialogue. "

"What for, sir?"

"The man is ready to speak till  the end of the word."

"Think realistically, man. The jurors have already voted,"I said.

"He is just practicing his daily duty."

"then , let him practice what he like."

"We will when the time comes."

As Socrates was involved with his  futile debate, the jurors  found ample time to chose their amphora to drop in the ballots. Nevertheless,  to announce the verdict,  they chose those moments when Socrates intended to blame the Athenians for having disappointed him." I would not  blame you for anything as much as I blame you now,that is  for having  ungratefully turned your faces against me. I know and understand what damages politics  cause in order to convince you -my friends."

However anyway, I believe...doubtless I believe, the master had heard  the chattering crowd, and  malicious laughter and saw the  eyes of  the restless faces focusing  on the wooden amphora.

                                                                 ***

The trial came to the end, and the court’s litigants ascended the forum and started counting the votes inside the two amphora - under the eyes of jurors. I was now certain Socrates was  wrong about his fate. They had  already designed his destiny before he thought of the tiny piece of silver.

I made my mind for a huge sacrifice and wept sincerely, and  by the time believed Socrates is the purest man who has ever walked on our planet, "Stand him. Stand him," I asked Aspasia desperately.

" He will sit in Zeus' presence...gods, anyway, are jealous , son,"said she.

"So why did you came?" I said ruthlessly.

"I did not...I did not come, Hector."

Non of Athens’s gods adopted Socrates. They were jealous and had watched him joyously.

 "Fetch a throne for the little god," they said cynically- I should have asked Aspasia ...Oh, ye,  she should have leaked the secrets.They sealed the verdicts in gods’ archive, and said."If we gave Socrates more time, he would prove his innocence, then, the law would become useless .” Then they wrote appraisal message downward."Lords of Athens, have designed a verdict becoming a man like Socrates."

........................................................****

"Did not you put Socrates the sophist to death , my fellow citizens,"  said a man called Aeschines, he was not Aeschines of Sphettus, the Socrates' follower.

"Are you seeking for death or justice, sir?"  said Plato sternly.

"I won't distinguish between them, son of Aston,"  said Aeschines

"So you don't distinguish between good and bad, right and left," said Plato.

"What do you mean?"said Aeschines.

"I wonder why they did not appoint you in the position of the chief justice of Athens," said Plato.

"We have the verdict on its way- it won't be long, "  an old  juror said.

"Strange, indeed, would be my conduct, after all, you will have me executed...Nevertheless , I am certain, someday, you learn how to  adapt my dialogue for justice in your court, in a good way."

The verdict came upon me like a thunder. I bowed and touched  the  ground next to Socrates’ feet." Aspasia’s  son?"  Socrates said, and looked  into my eyes.

"Rise up, sir, you are a noble man,'’said he, and  blessed me.

"I will never forget these moments," I murdered.

"Your devotion to  duty is truly blessed ," said he.

"Grateful...I am grateful."

" Birds of feather flock together; Pericles, Pyrilampes, and myself . Then you. Hector, Plato , even Xenophon,and all those young men."said he.

"I have my last words, for you, Athenians."

"Allow Socrates  to  speak," the judges said confidently..

*" O Athenians, I am eloquent though, using the agora's language all the same.

  Chaerephon the brave is dead himself; but his brother will confirm what the python prophetess, in Delphi,had  told Chaerephon. ."  

 "Those men  have  quarrels with me on behalf of the poets, positions and  rhetoricians."

"Meletus, you think a great deal about the improvement of youth? "     

 "Yes, I do."

"Tell the judges, then, who is their improver."

"The laws."

"Who, in the first place, knows the laws."

"The judges, Socrates, who are present in court.".

"Are  they able to instruct and improve youth?"

"Certainly they are."

"All of them?"

 "Do the audience improve them?

"Yes, they do."

"And the senators?"

"Yes, they do ."

"Do they too improve them, regardless?"

"They improve them."

"Then, I inferred,  every Athenian does except Socrates."

"That is what I stoutly affirm."

"Do  you mean  I adore gods other than yours ?--Or, I am an atheist?

"I mean the latter--"

 "And  I do not believe in godhood of sun or moon, like other men?"

 "Judges,  he says.'the sun is stone, and the moon is  earth.'"

"So,  I do not believe in any god, do I?"

" You believe in none."

" I am certain you do not believe yourself."

"   'Let me die forthwith,'  Achilles said for FATE.  I too only consider whether anything I do is  right or not."

"I had thought that the majority against me would have been far large... O men of Athens? Clearly it is my due.I could not convince you--the time has been too short."

 "O men who have condemned me' a punishment far heavier than mine will surely await you."

"Friends, who would have acquitted me, I would like to talk with you. Stay then then a little there is time. 'The oracle gave no sign,'  I am happy. it looks the accusers  have done me no harm."

"We go our ways--I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows." said Socrates and  surrendered himself to the gourds who immediately  took him into custody.

As he walked , surrounded by the guards,  his apostles  marched stately behind  him , side by side with Xantippe, I had  no such  experience, however, I   followed them like an orphan,, and tried to be part of them until a a swarm of Athenian children  rushed  onto our way and started stoning me from everywhere.

My guards were furious, Actually they managed to repel them harshly, but I preferred to endure the pain. " Let them wash the city's sin," I said.

"Then lets make a siege around you, sir," the squad's leader said.

"I am as tough as you are, dear soldier," I said, and waited until a sudden afflatus flashed and sent a fatal thunder down my bones.

 He looked at me for the last time He had known, I thought he had known.

"I forgave you, son of Pericles," said he.

"Grateful. I an grateful."

" Have you ever disbelieved  our father Zeus,"  I  said and begged him to answer my question.

"I am extensively  living under Zeus- a magnificent, delightful Zeus-  ," said he.

"  But gods are intrinsically lacking virtues, so we have nothing to do with them,"  said he

" I am telling you the facts about them, only, to  weigh your Magistrates’ Law System, that I myself still adore. Remember to fight for justice's amendment, forever; it is always incomplete- even God is incomplete, " said he,  and when  I felt the man was waking in his funeral, with many  glittering eyes, his face blushed and stated

"If gods mocked at me, apparently they did... did not they loose their honor? I would reveal what they have done scandals  throughout all times."

I was surprised.

"Don't be," said he."They are our reflection."

We were under many threats, even  people, on our way  tried their best to avoid Socrates.

" Everyone is scared of the truth,"  said he.

 "True." I said, but I was not. In fact I was now  stronger than ever; stronger as a man inside myself, not on the top of many as I used to be.

"I am afraid the deity has already jeopardized the truth, they are jealous of this triumph, and  are eager to have victims on their altars ," said he, before  the the guards politely, asked me to leave.

I lingered and waited beneath the horizon’s rays of Athens’ sunset like a clumsy soldier, unable to follow his squad. Nevertheless, suddenly, I rushed barbarically and stopped the philosopher, without asking  for permission, and asked him furiously.

" Have you  defeated them, master?"

 I was confused by my arrogance, but  he smiled, as he saw the growing prejudice  in my eyes.

"That is it , that it is. We stole the Prime Logos, Pericles," said he.

Stunned and gaped before I could  murmur. "Prime Logos !"  ........

"That is my word, and my secret. Restore your life and keep the  message, in the safest place," said he.

I have  never understood what he meant, however, he was certain  the words would be safer with me, and I would be able to protect them better than his followers.Probably he thought Athenians would tolerate my whim."Keep the secrecy- sealed in your heart, wherever you go, whatever you do, until the time comes,"  demanded  he.

‘I do, sir, I promise, i do, sir,"

 I promised, unaware of the consequence of such a mysterious  task..

"Thus, I lost my position and fortune and name, however, I passed the sacred word of Socrates to my offspring, descending with them , ever since, generation after generation until he says. 'The time has come.’"

The End

*Hector son of Zeus, Prickles and Aspasia.

* Whore.

*From Apology.

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