Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology

Which ancient Greek genius philosopher was made to execute himself by drinking a cup of poisonous hemlock as his sentence for publicly criticizing the ruling class?

  1. Archimedes

  2. Aristotle

  3. Plato

  4. Socrates

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Socrates was sentenced to death by an Athenian jury in 399 BCE for impiety and corrupting the youth, largely due to his criticism of Athenian democracy and the ruling class. Rather than flee into exile, he accepted the sentence and drank hemlock as his method of execution. This event is documented in Plato's dialogues, particularly the Phaedo. The other options all died different deaths - Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier, Aristotle died of natural causes, and Plato died in bed.