Socrates is one of the most influential philosophers in history, yet many details about his life are quite surprising. From his unexpected role as a soldier to his unusual teaching methods. Beyond the obvious fact that he lived in 4th century BC Greece—here are six must-know facts about him (disclaimer: just my opinion!).
1. He Wasn’t Rich… And He Was Totally Fine With That
If you imagine him reclining on a couch, sipping wine from a silver cup, and picking figs from a golden plate—think again. Simply put, Socrates wasn’t a wealthy man. He came from a modest background and inherited part of his father’s estate. Although he had wealthy friends, he was not considered affluent himself. He never pursued riches, believing that true wealth lay in virtue and wisdom rather than material possessions. He lived simply, walking barefoot and wearing the same rugged cloak. Most of his time was spent in the Athenian marketplace, engaging in philosophical discussions with anyone willing to talk.
2. He Was Married (Philosophy Wasn’t His Only Struggle)
Despite his, let’s say, eccentric approach to life, Socrates managed to have a family. Yes, he had a wife, Xanthippe, and three sons. Some ancient sources depict her as a difficult wife, but honestly, considering Socrates’ lifestyle—his lack of concern for wealth and his habit of spending most of his time in philosophical discussions with strangers—I don’t blame her. Even Socrates himself said that having Xanthippe as a wife was a good test of patience. Some accounts claim he may have married a second woman named Myrto, but the existence of a second wife remains debated.
3. He Saw Democracy’s Flaws (And Democracy Sentenced Him to Death)
Now, let’s talk about Socrates’ political views. Keep in mind, we’re talking about a man who lived 2,500 years ago in Athens—the cradle of democracy. This was a time when citizens were just beginning to participate directly in decision-making, but it was not the same system we have today.
That said, Socrates wasn’t a big fan of democracy. He saw major flaws in it. For example, he believed that most people were not qualified to make important political decisions because they lacked proper knowledge and wisdom. On top of that, he observed how easy it was to manipulate or mislead public opinion. These two issues alone could lead to poor decision-making—and Socrates’ own trial is strong proof of that. Unfortunately.
4. He Participated in Battles… And Actually Survived Them
So far, you may have imagined Socrates as an old philosopher, wearing simple clothes and wandering around Athens. That is true, but at one point in his life, he was also a soldier—literally. He fought as a hoplite (a heavily armed foot soldier) in at least three major battles: the Battle of Potidaea, the Battle of Delium, and the Battle of Amphipolis.
During the siege of Potidaea in 432 BC, Socrates saved the life of Alcibiades. Here’s an excerpt from Plato’s Symposium about the event, spoken by Alcibiades:
“I will also tell, if you please, and indeed I am bound to tell, of his courage in battle; for who but he saved my life? Now this was the engagement in which I received the prize of valor, for I was wounded, and he would not leave me, but he rescued me and my arms; and he ought to have received the prize of valor which the generals wanted to confer on me partly on account of my rank, and I told them so, but he was more eager than the generals that I and not he should have the prize.”
Clearly, Alcibiades portrayed him as a humble and brave man. Speaking of bravery, that brings us to the next fact.
5. He Chose to Stay in Athens (To the Bitter End... Literally)
In 399 BC, Socrates chose to face his trial rather than flee Athens, fully aware that he might be sentenced to death. Even after receiving his sentence, he refused to escape. According to Plato’s Crito, Socrates insisted on upholding Athenian law, believing it was more honorable to face death bravely than to live in exile. He died calmly and willingly after drinking the deadly hemlock.
I believe the circumstances of his death reflect his integrity and courage. It’s also worth mentioning that the most detailed account of Socrates’ final moments is found in Plato’s Phaedo, particularly in sections 115a to 118a. And this brings us to another interesting fact.
6. He Didn’t Write Any Books… Too Busy Talking
Socrates believed that writing weakened memory and understanding, always preferring real discussion as the path to true learning. I find this particularly shocking for at least a couple of reasons. First, considering how much our modern lives depend on the internet, it's just hard for us to willingly avoid writing things down and instead rely solely on memorization. Second, we cannot read anything in his own words about his ideas, views on politics, religion, social issues, etc. Everything we know about Socrates comes from the writings of his students and contemporaries, mainly Plato and Xenophon. Plato wrote dialogues featuring Socrates as the main character, especially the five most famous ones: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, and Phaedo. Xenophon, on the other hand, wrote Memorabilia, portraying Socrates as a wise and moral teacher.
Overall, this is quite unfortunate because all we have today are descriptions and recollections of his teachings rather than the writings of the man himself.
Final Thoughts
Socrates, undeniable was a remarkable figure. At his times he was a well known and somehow famous person, surrounded by high position figures. Despite that he lived humble life, had a wife and three sons. He also fought in a few battles. Unfortunately his ideas and teaching led him to his tragic end. However, Socrates' unwavering principles allowed him to accept his trial and execution rather than compromise his beliefs. Unfortunately for us he never wrote anything down, leaving us to rely on the accounts of his students. Nevertheless, his life serves as a testament to the power of dialogue, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge, and his ideas continue to influence philosophy and critical thinking even today.
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