Apology
In 399 BC Socrates, aged about seventy, stood trial in Athens on charges of not believing in the city's gods and of corrupting the young. Plato, who was present, gives his speech in three parts: the defense, in which Socrates describes his life of questioning, explains why he has made enemies, and refuses to beg or to stop doing philosophy; a short address after the verdict, in which he proposes, as an alternative to death, that the city should feed him at public expense; and a final speech to the jurors who have condemned him, on why death is not to be feared. The Apology is the most direct portrait of Socrates we have. This edition presents the text in Benjamin Jowett's translation, with his introduction. Read it online in your browser on Vinteuil; the opening pages are free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Apology
Apology by Plato can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Apology online?
Yes. Apology opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Apology free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Apology is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Apology in the public domain?
Yes. Apology by Plato is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Benjamin Jowett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Apology?
About 1 h 05 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Apology?
Apology by Plato is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
