Earlier, in the Apology, Socrates suggests
that death is either complete nothingness (like a night of slumber without
any dreams) or that there is an afterlife in which he will be able to dialogue
with the greatest individuals from Greek history. Given his love of conversation,
it is no surprise that he prefers the second alternative. What could
be better than "shooting the bull" with the likes of
Homer and Achilles
ad infinitum! Because Hades represents
judgment by a higher court, so to speak, it is vital to
Socrates that he arrive there having accepted
the judgment of the "lower" (i.e. earthly) court.