ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the legal setting of the defense and compare it from this standpoint with contemporary forensic speeches. It is commonly stated that there is but slight provision for the introduction of evidence in the Apology. The Platonic defense of Socrates consists of three distinct speeches. The first is his answer to the speeches of the prosecutors and deals with the question of guilt or innocence. The second, delivered after the verdict "guilty" had been rendered, is devoted to the presentation of the alternative penalty proposed by Socrates in accordance with Athenian practice. The third is an informal address to the jurors after the conclusion of the trial. In this connection it may be noted that Plato s use of technical language conforms sufficiently to the usage of the lawyers to be easily understood. It thus appears that Plato has been by no means remiss in procuring corroboration for statements of fact wherever it was required.
