Socrates is considered the founder of Modern Philosophy.
He was a marmite figure in Athens in 399BC and those against him had him charged with corrupting the youth of the city, along with worshiping the wrong gods.
After a trial lasting a day he was found guilty, and asked to choose his own punishment. He gave the jurors two choices โ either give him free food and housing forever (he felt the city should actually be grateful to him) or fine him one mina of silver (about 600g). Sadly, the jurors chose an alternative โ death by forced suicide.
In this painting by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, we can see Socrates (in the white sheet) in his final moments being offered the cup of poisonous hemlock by a disciple who canโt bear to witness the deed. His student Plato (who wasnโt actually present at his death) sits at the foot of his bed.
