Their government was messed up
The Athenians voted to convict Socrates because they viewed his teachings as corrupting the youth and undermining the city's religious beliefs. Additionally, Socrates' outspoken criticism of the Athenian government and his perceived association with other subversive figures contributed to his guilty verdict.
The people of Athens voted against Socrates because they believed his philosophical teachings were undermining traditional values and corrupting the youth. Socrates' questioning and challenging of societal norms and beliefs made him appear subversive to the Athenian authorities. Additionally, his close association with individuals who were later involved in a coup plot against the city-state further fueled suspicion and led to his trial and conviction.
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison called hemlock because he was found guilty of corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety towards the gods. His trial and subsequent death were a result of his controversial ideas and criticisms of the Athenian society.
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison (hemlock) because he was found guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety (disrespect for the gods of Athens). His teachings, questioning of traditional beliefs, and influence on the youth were perceived as a threat to the stability of Athenian society.
The jury in Athens voted to execute Socrates by a margin of 280 to 220, finding him guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety. He was given the opportunity to suggest an alternate punishment but chose to stick by his principles and opted not to propose a different penalty, leading to his eventual death by drinking poison hemlock.
Refuse to vote in elections
Court cases were decided by huge juries containing hundreds of jurors, as in the case of Socrates. Citizens were chosen by lot to sit on juries. Only property owning males over twenty-one were considered citizens.
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison called hemlock because he was found guilty of corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety towards the gods. His trial and subsequent death were a result of his controversial ideas and criticisms of the Athenian society.
The Athenians had a direct democracy. This meant that all Athenian citizens were able to vote on new legislation and laws.
They met at the Agora
Because a vote from the towns idiot has the same weight as a vote from Socrates.
Athenians in the bouleteerion where the boule (composed of 500 male citizens) raises hands to vote on laws.
Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison (hemlock) because he was found guilty of corrupting the youth and impiety (disrespect for the gods of Athens). His teachings, questioning of traditional beliefs, and influence on the youth were perceived as a threat to the stability of Athenian society.
They voted by writing their vote on a broken piece of pottery, which officials collected and tallied
The Athenians developed a Democracy where only certain classes of people could vote.
The Athenians, at the time, had a democratic government, meaning that they were governed by the vote of the people. In 499 BC, the Ionian Revolt began, wherein several cities in the Persian Empire rebelled against Persian rule to become democratic. The Athenians, being democratic themselves, supported the rebels. Ultimately, Persian won and retained control of the rebel territory, but they then attacked Greece because the Greeks had supported the rebellion against them.
They would have considered democracy the hallmark of their civilization, but they would not have defined democracy the same way that people do today. For example, the idea that all people should be allowed to vote would have seemed preposterous to Athenians, who believed that only landed men should be allowed to vote.
Women, slaves, and foreigners (metics) were excluded from participating in Athenian democracy. Only free-born adult male citizens were allowed to take part in the political decision-making process.