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Later in the fateful year of 406 BC, an Athenian fleet including slaves promised freedom among its ranks did defeat the Spartans at the Battle of Arginusae, under the control of a group of generals including Pericles the Younger, son of the erstwhile democratic leader.
On their return, however, the generals came under heavy criticism for their alleged timidity, since they didn’t finish the Spartans off, or rescue stranded Athenian sailors.
Socrates was appointed a representative of his tribe in the Assembly, which debated what fate should befall the generals. Amid huge political pressures, a popular vote called for capital punishment, a measure which the assembly rejected. Street agitation a la Pericles (the Older) led to threats of death directed at the representatives, most of whom relented and voted for the executions. But not Socrates.
Alone as chairman of the Assembly’s executive body, the old philosopher blocked the vote, citing the superiority of the law over the moods of the mob; this way, he secured the support of others who persuaded the Assembly to pass a motion ordering that the generals be tried separately.
In the end, however, mob rule won and the original motion was carried: all six generals tried were found guilty and executed, including Pericles the Younger. Further street agitation followed the executions and charges were brought against the instigators, creating a terrible political mess and leading to the demoralization of the all-important Athenian navy[1].
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