Socrates' Military Background

Socrates states, in the Apology, that dishonor is worse than death, and he offers three personal examples of courage from his own military experience where he served as a hoplite soldier in three very important military battles: Potidaea, Delium, and Amphipolis. His argument is that no one so willing to fight and die for his country would be guilty of disregarding its gods and corrupting (intentionally) its youth.

In the Crito, Socrates, reflecting on his own military experience, reminds Crito that his willingness to serve in the Athenian military implies that he agrees to follow Athenian law - even if they seem to be unjust.

Hoplite Soldier
Artist: Ru Dien-Jen