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Section 58

ECHECRATES. But what about the circumstances of his death itself, Phaedo? What was said and done, and who among his friends were with him? Or did the magistrates forbid them to be present, so that he died entirely without friends?

PHAEDO. Not at all. Some were present, and quite a few of them, in fact.

ECHECRATES. Please be eager to tell us everything as clearly as possible, unless you happen to have some pressing business.

PHAEDO. I have time, and I will try to narrate it to you. For recalling Socrates to mind, whether speaking myself or listening to another, is always the most pleasant thing for me.

ECHECRATES. Well, Phaedo, you will have listeners who feel the same way. So try to speak as precisely as you can about everything.

PHAEDO. Let me tell you, I experienced strange emotions being present there. I felt no pity, as one might expect for someone present at the death of an intimate friend. For the man appeared truly happy to me, Echecrates, both in his manner and his words, so fearlessly and nobly did he meet his end. It seemed to me that even in departing for Hades, he was not going without divine providence, and that once he arrived there, he would fare well, if anyone ever did. That is why no feeling of pity entered me, as might seem natural for one present at a tragedy. Nor, on the other hand, did I feel the usual pleasure of being occupied with philosophy—for our discussions were indeed of that kind. Instead, an entirely unusual mixture of feelings possessed me, a strange blend of both pleasure and pain simultaneously, reflecting that he would soon be dead. And all of us present were affected in much the same way, sometimes laughing, sometimes weeping; but especially one of us, Apollodorus—you know the man and his nature, I am sure.

ECHECRATES. How could I not?

PHAEDO. He was completely overcome by these emotions, and I myself and the others were also deeply unsettled.

ECHECRATES. Who exactly were present, Phaedo?

PHAEDO. Of the local Athenians, this Apollodorus was there, and Critobulus and his father Crito. Also Hermogenes, Epigenes, Aeschines, and Antisthenes. Ctesippus the Paeanian was there, as well as Menexenus and some other local men. But Plato, I believe, was sick.

ECHECRATES. Were there any foreigners present?

PHAEDO. Yes, Simmias the Theban, and Cebes, and Phaedondes. Also Euclides and Terpsion from Megara.

ECHECRATES. What about Aristippus and Cleombrotus? Were they there?

PHAEDO. No, they were not. They were said to be in Aegina.

ECHECRATES. Was anyone else present?

PHAEDO. I think these are just about the men who were there.

ECHECRATES. Well then. What do you say the discussions were about?