In the history of ancient philosophy, few figures loom as large as Socrates, whose relentless process of questioning continues to inform philosophical and ethical inquiry today. But during his time, Socrates was a peculiar and sometimes puzzling figure: to some, a barefoot—and even dangerous—gadfly, to others a brilliant and revolutionary teacher. This absorbing volume chronicles what is known of this unorthodox thinker and his incredible legacy. It also provides a window into both the foundations of Western philosophy and the history of golden age Athens, the fate of which was closely tied to that of Socrates himself.