ABSTRACT
The corpus xenophonteum contains what might be called two apologies of Socrates, namely, the so-called Defence of Socrates before his Judges, and Memorabilia 1.1.-1.2.64. In the Defence Xenophon commences by asserting that 'the loftiness of Socrates' address and the boldness of his speech before his judges' might be interpreted by some as a manifestation of imprudence and impudence. Both Xenophon and Plato may have borrowed 'the philosopher's willingness to die' from Antisthenes; or Xenophon may have derived it from Plato who, in turn, is probably dependent on some Antisthenian dictum. The account of the pedestrian Xenophon as well as the particular significance which he attaches to Socrates' deportment in the face of certain death, therefore, is as different from the narrative and interpretation offered by the visionary poet-philosopher Plato as is a somewhat sentimental and essentially conventional elegy from true pathos.
