Socrates and the 30

While many athenians were executed or driven into banishment, others were required to assist in the arresting of their fellow citizens. If they refused, they would be considered accomplices and share in the punishments. In plato's apology, socrates recounts an incident in which the 30 once commanded them to go and arrest a certain leon of salamis from his for execution. While the other four obeyed, socrates refused, saying that he would not do anything unjust or unholy. Therefore, while the other four went to salamis and arrested leon, who was later executed, socrates simply went home. We will discuss lysius an this oration in more