Socrates at Amphipolis (Ap. 28e)

Abstract

ITHE veracity of Socrates' report (P1. Apology 28e) of his service at Amphipolis in 422 has been impugned by distinguished authorities and ought perhaps to be defended. A. W. Gomme has recently observed: 1 Sokrates himself... cannot have been on this campaign at Amphipolis... The reason is because Socrates lists his battles in the order a-c-b, sc. Poteidaia (432), Amphipolis (422), Delion (424). The same reasoning had earlier led Burnet, not cited by Gomme, to a similar conclusion.2 One queries whether chronological order in this context is a relevant criterion of historical veracity. Plato is not composing a history but an appeal to jurors. Rhetorical effect would be most important. Poteidaia is first. There Socrates most distinguished himself.3 Next come Amphipolis and Delion in order of their fame among Athenians. One may paraphrase to grasp the effect in English officers whom you chose to direct me at Poteidaia and at Amphipolis, not to speak of Delion. And there is an ethopoetic reason. Strictest accuracy was not becoming a gentleman. Battles out of order stress Socrates' modesty. He was not so proud of his accomplishments that he recorded them exactly. Comparable is the Platonic habit of misquoting Homer.4 Further the confusion is between 422 and 424 and not between 414 and 432 as would be the case had Amphipolis misplaced Poteidaia. Only an interval of two years is at issue. Such an indiscretion would cause no comment. Compare the gross historical errors in a defense speech delivered on the same charge in the same year against the same prosecutor.5 Finally there is a relevant passage in Demosthenes, Third Philippic, where that orator recalls three events, obviously well known to himself, in the chronological order, a-c-b. The passage (9. 23) lists the hegemonies of Athens, Thebes, and Sparta in that order.