The Last Days of Socrates

By: Plato, Christopher Rowe, Christopher Rowe - introduction, Christopher Rowe - translator

Narrated by: Justin Avoth, Laurence Dobiesz

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Justin Avoth and Laurence Dobiesz. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Christopher Rowe read by Justin Avoth.

'Consider just this, and give your minds to this alone: whether or not what I say is just'

Plato's account of Socrates' trial and death (399 BC) is a significant moment in Classical literature and the life of Classical Athens. In these four dialogues, Plato develops the Socratic belief in responsibility for one's self and shows Socrates living and dying under his philosophy. In Euthyphro, Socrates debates goodness outside the courthouse; Apology sees him in court, rebutting all charges of impiety; in Crito, he refuses an entreaty to escape from prison; and in Phaedo, Socrates faces his impending death with calmness and skilful discussion of immortality.

Christopher Rowe's introduction to his powerful new translation examines the book's themes of identity and confrontation, and explores how its content is less historical fact than a promotion of Plato's Socratic philosophy.

© Christopher Rowe 2003 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Nice to have this all in one place

Sometimes the voices get confused as to who is who. But after all it's an audiobook, not a play.

Best Book Ever

I personally Love this book
I hope you do as well
Philos-Sophia
Socrates The Wonderful

Excellent philosophical intro

If you are looking for a way to enter into Western philosophy, this is a great starting point, not only because so many works grace their origins to Plato, but because this is easy to understand and ultimately digestible, which many philosophical works are not.

As such, though many might find other works more thought-provoking or powerful, this, in my opinion, is a wonderful starting point for such a worthwhile journey. The reader paces well, the characters are voiced distinctly, and nothing about the “acting” detracts from the content or its seriousness.

Very thought provoking

A thought experiment into the divine and the soul. It will make you question what is all around you.

Foundational and fun

A capital “C” Classic short collection of works often assigned as the first text in core curriculum, great books, Intro to the Humanities, Greek Civ and Intro Philosophy courses.

Perfect short length for re-listening and discussing with a book club. Lots of strange ideas about the body, the soul, and cosmology from a pre-Christian point of view. It’s like directly hearing from people from another world and time.

One of the best entry points for Plato, Greek history and the Western philosophy on Audible. Great translation and performance. This audio edition also has helpful supplementary commentary.

The last text in the volume, Phaedo, works as an easy introduction to Plato overall before diving into The Republic.