Socrates

The film unfolds during a turbulent window in late classical Greece: the fall of Athens' democracy after the Peloponnesian War, the brief reign of the Thirty Tyrants, and the moral climate leading to Socrates' trial and death. It juxtaposes civic collapse with the intimate life of Socrates as he questions virtue and the gods. The time captures a clash between tradition and critical inquiry that defines Socrates' final years.

After the Peloponnesian War, Athens is in political and social turmoil. The Spartans' victory and the rise of the Thirty Tyrants plunge the city into fear and faction. The setting juxtaposes impoverished households with public spaces where philosophers challenge received wisdom.

💬 Philosophy

Socrates pursues truth through dialogue, challenging assumptions and encouraging others to examine their own beliefs. The film shows how questions can unsettle authority and reveal ignorance as a starting point for learning. It portrays the Socratic method as a collaborative search rather than a lecture, revealing virtue as the route to happiness. The film emphasizes the enduring tension between inquiry and conventional wisdom.

⚖️ Justice

The narrative centers on judgment—how a city defines right and wrong, and whether a wise man can be accused of corrupting youth. Socrates' defense highlights the conflict between personal integrity and political convenience. The trial exposes how legal systems can become instruments of fear and control under a volatile regime. The portrayal invites reflection on the relationship between law, virtue, and the common good.

🏛️ Democracy

Athens' political decline provides the backdrop for debates about liberty, authority, and dissent. The film contrasts vibrant philosophical debate with a climate of suspicion and punishment. It shows how populist pressure and military defeat erode civic tolerance. The result is a setting where critical thought is endangered by political fear.

💀 Death and Immortality

Socrates accepts his death with calm inquiry, turning the end into a philosophical dialogue about the soul and its fate. He refuses slights or escape, viewing his life as a continuous rational examination until the last breath. The hemlock becomes a stage for a final discussion with friends about life, death, and the immortality of the soul. The scene emphasizes that true philosophy endures beyond the body's end.