In which Socrates steadfastly defends his lifelong pursuit of virtue and truth, asserting his divine mission to awaken the soul of Athens despite the threat of death, and resolutely refuses to alter his principles for the sake of self-preservation. He contemplates the nature of death with a hopeful dignity, urging his judges to consider that no harm can befall a good man either in life or after, and entrusts his sons’ upbringing to the city’s care.

In which Socrates, challenged by longstanding rumours and recent accusations alike, offers a candid and unadorned defence, seeking to dispel falsehoods about his character and his reputed wisdom. He recounts his peculiar mission from the Delphic oracle, engaging interlocutors of various sorts to reveal the nature of true wisdom, while addressing charges of corrupting youth and impiety with measured scrutiny and reasoned argument.