Hi folks! The fourth century is a time of turmoil, but also one of startling cultural and philosophical advancements, like the one before. In the document you read, what do you think inspires the people who create this change? With everything that changed because of the Peloponnesian War, what kind of Hellas were people envisioning in the aftermath?

The text “Athenian Bankers” covers a trail involving the inheritance left behind by an Athenian Bank owner. The banker's son, Apollodorus, is suing his step father, Phormion, the man left in charge of said bank by the deceased man, for mishandling of money. Apollodorus sues his stepfather and accuses him of stealing money that was missing from the bank, however, the money was not stolen. The missing amount was but as a loan that the deceased man owed the bank because due to Phormion's lack of citizenship, he would be unable to collect the debt for the actual men legally. Apollodorus was labeled as lazy and opportunistic for trying to scam his way into getting the money. This trail not only covers inheritance but highlights the importance of citizenship in Athenian society. Not only is it something protected but it is something that even a slave can attain through hard work in the world of the ancient Greeks. 

I chose Athenian bankers, known as trapezitai, evolved from moneychangers into sophisticated financial

intermediaries offering a range of services like deposit-taking, lending, and money exchange. They operated

from tables (trapeza) and handled complex transactions like the famous Pasion, rising from slavery to

become powerful citizens and key figures in the Athenian economy. Athenian banking allowed for wealth

accumulation and supported the city's trade, with women and slaves playing significant roles in these

family businesses. They focused on exchanging foreign currencies for Athenian drachmas, testing coins

for purity and weight.They provided loans to merchants and others for different business activities. As

their reputation grew, people began depositing money with them for safekeeping, which bankers then used

for loans. Women and slaves were integral to these family businesses, with women often managing bank

records and slaves, like Pasion and Phormion, rising to positions of great importance. I was just very

interesting how these contributed financially to the state.

For this weeks reading and discussion I have chosen Plato's Allegory of the Cave, an pivotal piece of writing that entertains the idea of discovery and growth through understanding and education. To begin the writing creates this hypothetical world where individuals trapped in a cave are exposed to shadows of the real world and frame their beliefs and making it so that this cave world of shadows be reality. The story then follows one of these individual as the escape the cave and come in contact with not only the fire that would have made the shadows but also the sun which for the sake of the situation is the source of truth. This is first an analogy for people in the real world who take what they see on the surface as the over arching truth, this displeases the author because they believe the current standing of Athenians are being pacified by being fed what they desire to hear instead of what can be considered the truth or ultimate good. All of this as a result o the Peloponnesian war which say many speaks trying to gain influence while maintain appearances rather than sound judgment, which contributed to the war’s devastation. I believe Plato is trying to tell the people to seek out more from not just their government but from life as a whole to see the greater truth of reality.

I chose the first reading that being the death of Socrates. There is many reasons why I chose this reading one of which being the general interest of Socrates as he is a very significant philosophical and historical figure. Socrates death both marked the flaws of the Athenian and Hellenistic world while also highlighting and influencing the need for change. Socrates had been killed due to the threat that his ideology had showcased, that being the challenging of societal norms. He challenged the idea's of the gods, he challenged political decisions, he challenged laws, he challenged the treatment of certain people and basically became a thorn in the side of Athens. Due to these challenges he was sentenced to death by drinking of poison which Socrates had actually chosen over being exiled. Although he was sentenced to death many had actually not agreed with this decision and it was shown that his death wouldn't change or accomplish much of anything. Part of the reason he is executed is one of his students became one of the 30 Spartan Tyrants which he was blamed for. This supports what we have already discussed about his death, that it is pointless as it is really Athens clinging to its old way's and misplaced blame. This also supports what we know about Socrates as he doesn't flee or become fearful rather he demands that no one cry, that he gets his moments of silence and essentially just continues being Socrates until his death. One question I have is how did all the different city states react or did they even care?

For tis week's reponse I chose Plato’s Allegory of the Cave because it illustrates how individuals who perceive only shadows on a wall and believe these shadows to be the entirety of reality. When one prisoner is liberated and brought towards the light, he initially experiences discomfort, but gradually learns to perceive genuine objects and ultimately the sun, symbolizing the ultimate truth. Upon his return to the cave to assist the others, they resist him and prefer the familiar shadows. 

After the Peloponnesian War, this story reflected Greek concerns about confusion, poor leadership, and the failure to recognize truth. Many Greeks felt their cities had followed appearances and persuasive speakers rather than sound judgment, which contributed to the war’s devastation. Plato uses the cave to criticize this reliance on illusion and to suggest that Greece needed leaders who understood what is truly good. At the same time, he warns that societies often reject those who try to guide them toward deeper understanding and progress.

The reading I chose was “The Death of Socrates”, and my interest stems from me reading about it a week prior. A part of the passage that caught my attention while reading was when Socrates mentioned having “prophetic powers” due to his old age to tell the accusers of their future. Now to me, I feel as though he was right when telling them what would happen to them in the future, not because of his “prophetic powers”, but because of how much Socrates has seen in his 70 years of life. Him being 70 means that he’s seen the consequences of people's actions, both good and bad. What I think Plato was trying to communicate was Socrates’ nature, to his friends, accusers, and his impending death. What I think this document tells us about its time and place is that many individuals are still suffering from the effects of the Peloponnesian War in terms of how it corrupted people. This document supports that it was a time and place where the thirty tyrants were present in Athens. What I would like to know more about is how other Athenians that were present for Socrates’ trial felt about the verdict.

The reading I chose is The death of Socrates by Plato. I chose this reading initially because I was interested in learning about the life views of Socrates and more about his death. A part that stood out to me was when Socrates was being so accepting of his death and he described his death as a gain and said that he would “rather die having spoken after my manner, than speak in your manner and live.” This is a powerful message because it shows how much he honored and respected his own values and life views. Plato is saying that living a life that’s true to who you are, seeking knowledge, truth, wisdom, understanding, and having moral integrity is very important. This shows that pursuing and seeking knowledge, truth, wisdom, and understanding at this time was highly valued in Athens. However, it shows that at the time this kind of ideal clashed with the ideals of the government officials in Athens. I would like to learn more about how the Greeks viewed the afterlife, death, and the soul in relation to the ideals mentioned in the reading about Socrates.

I have chosen to read the document about the Athenian Banker. I was curious about this reading because I wanted to know about the banking business and how the Athenians handled their banking. As I was reading this document, I noticed this quote: "If you are ignorant of this fact that trustworthiness is the greatest asset in business life, you must be ignorant of everything. Apart from these considerations Phormion has in many ways proved useful to your father and to you and to your business generally", the lawyer, the man who was defeating Phormion, that he was innocent in this case. He was proving that Phormion was being trustworthy throughout this whole banking business, and that was better than being untrustworthy. People wanted to see his wrongdoings rather than the truth, which I've interpreted. He was telling them, Don't be blindsided by the truth, prideful in a way.

I think the author was trying to tell us that people are quick to pick the side that is "right" through the facts, rather than the full picture. During this time, money or even banking accounts were handled differently than today. In this period, there wasn't a simpler or secure transaction process than we know today. A lot was passed around, or no clear understanding, which makes sense how things can get confusing, or someone could have thought this rather than another reason. Also, there were tricky laws about who possesses how much money, and even when someone dies. Like in this document, Phormion's dad passes away, things change, and when someone gets married, they change as well during this time period. Taking over a business, or someone's money is a huge responsibility. I would like to know more about what ways or maybe laws that exist to help with banking businesses and even the handling of money? Have clear expectations in a way, I guess that I'm more curious to know.

I chose Socrates' death because, honestly, after working with Plato's allegory of the cave, I was curious about the event that had such an impact on Plato himself. What caught my attention most were Socrates' last words: “  Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius.” I found them very curious, almost humorous, because he is about to die and yet he is still concerned about paying a debt to the god of healing. It is as if he saw death as a kind of remedy for the disease that is life. That idea is super profound, but it also leaves me wondering why he said something like that if he supposedly did not believe in the gods as such.

Plato makes one thing very clear: Socrates died with absolute dignity. He did not beg, he did not betray his principles, and he did not show fear when he took the poison. On the contrary, he ended up comforting his friends, who were devastated, instead of seeking comfort himself.

This story also teaches us that democratic Athens in 399 BC was rife with political paranoia. It was a city capable of executing its own citizens just for asking uncomfortable questions.

I would really like to know more about the political background: who really wanted Socrates dead and why? What motives were behind those charges?

For this week’s discussion response, I selected The Death of Socrates by Plato, primarily because this topic piqued my interest from my prior knowledge in learning about the life and teachings of Socrates. The main details that stood out to me in this reading was around the perspectives of Socrates’ accusers. So many of them ‘seemed’ to act in a manner that was professional and scholarly; people who were deemed educated and ‘wise’ by societal norms. In retrospect, they were all just corrupt officials and politicians. Clearly, we can see an internal conflict around Athenian ideals and ‘new ways’ of thinking—the philosophical approaches birthed from Socrates’ teachings. It was not just the outspokenness of Socrates that made him a pivotal scholar and teacher of his time, but it was the principles that he lived upon; his ‘moral compass.’  

In line with the Socratic method, Socrates envisioned a ‘world’ that free thinkers could exist outside the realm of law and society. I personally appreciate how Socrates was not a rebel, but rebelled. In other words, he fought for what was right, but did not inadvertently break the law, or even insight violence against others (for the most part). In the end, Socrates was a true advocate for moral justice and educational thought. What I wonder, however, ‘Why did Socrates choose to die as a martyr than be exiled (just from Athens), in which he could ‘spread’ his teachings to other parts of the Hellas, or perhaps other city-states as well?”

I picked the reading about the Athenian bank run by Pasion and then Phormion because it showed a side of ancient Athens I never really thought about, especially how former slaves were out here running big money businesses during a shaky time in the city. The part that really hit me was how these enslaved bankers could grind their way into freedom, gain citizenship, and even level up socially just by being good at their jobs. That completely flips the usual image of Athens being run only by elite citizens. The document feels like it’s trying to show how messy and personal banking was during the Fourth Century Crisis, since everything depended on trust and private deals and there were no real credit systems or protections. That’s why their money drama turned into emotional, complicated court cases that basically expose how stressed and unstable everyone was back then. It connects to our other readings about Athens falling off during this period but also adds something new by showing unexpected social mobility. It makes me want to know if a lot of enslaved bankers were able to move up like this or if these were rare situations. The document shows that the Fourth Century Crisis wasn’t just about politics falling apart. It was a time where money problems, shifting social roles, and everyday pressure made Athens feel shaky on every level.

The text that I chose was “The Death of Socrates” written by Plato and the reason why I chose this text is because I’ve heard of Socrates but never looked at his death. A detail that jumped out to me was when Crito ask him about what to do with his body and he said that they are burying his body only, he is saying with this is that his body will stay but his soul will leave, showing that Socrates believes that the soul is immortal. Plato was communicating that he viewed Socrates as the perfect philosopher and a man who values truth above his own life. The document was clearly written in 399 BCE Athens as it was describing the events of post Peloponnesian war and their legal system at the time. This can be compared to “The Birds” play by how they portray the “unrighteousness” of Athens at the time. Plato portrays it as a tragedy while “The Birds” is a fantasy that satirizes the “unrighteousness”. Both of the text shows a society deeply questioning its own political, legal, and religious foundations.

I chose to read Xenophon’s “The Battle of Leuctra”, the detail that stood out to me most during this read was the line explaining that Xenophon admired the Spartans so much that he didn't want to glorify their enemy. It reminded me that even ancient historians had their own biases. From my perspective, Xenophon was trying to communicate just how shocking and embarrassing the Spartan defeat at Leuctra truly was. Even with his personal loyalty to Sparta, he could not ignore the fact that Thebes outsmarted and overpowered them. This document also shows that 4th century Greece was a time of constant rivalry, where no city-state’s power was guaranteed. Sparta may have been famous for its military strength, but this battle proved that even they could fall. Compared to other readings, the passage supports what we’ve learned about the shifting balance of power after the Peloponnesian War, while also contradicting earlier descriptions of Sparta as nearly unbeatable. After reading this, I’m curious about Epaminondas, the Theban general who led the victory but isn’t mentioned by Xenophon. It makes me wonder how much historical memory gets shaped or distorted by whoever is telling the story.

For this week, I chose Cornelius Nepos’ “On Epaminondas.” I picked it because I didn’t know much about Theban leaders before, and Epaminondas seemed like someone who doesn’t get as much attention as the big Athenian or Spartan figures. What stood out to me was how Nepos describes Epaminondas as both an exceptional military commander and a deeply moral person. The detail about him living modestly and refusing bribes really caught my eye, especially because most ancient leaders are portrayed as power-hungry or ambitious.

I think Nepos was trying to show that true greatness comes not just from winning battles but from character. He seems to admire Epaminondas for reshaping Greece while also remaining humble. This says a lot about the time period—after the Peloponnesian War, people were searching for new forms of leadership, especially since Athens and Sparta had both declined. The fact that Thebes briefly rose to power shows how unstable and competitive the fourth century was.

This reading connects to The Battle of Leuctra, where we see the practical results of Epaminondas’ leadership. His innovations changed Greek warfare and shifted the balance of power. At the same time, it contrasts with the chaos shown in other texts, like the economic stress in Athenian Bankers.

I chose to read Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” because it’s one of those texts people always mention, but actually reading it in full made the ideas feel clearer and more dramatic. The detail that really stood out to me was when the prisoner is forced upward toward the light and feels pain, confusion, and even irritation. That image makes learning feel physical — like seeing the truth isn’t peaceful or inspiring at first, but overwhelming. I think Plato is trying to communicate that real understanding requires discomfort, and that people naturally cling to the “shadows” they’re used to rather than face something unfamiliar or brighter.

This document also reflects a lot about its time. It shows an Athens struggling with questions of leadership, truth, and perception — the same themes we’ve seen in other readings about the Peloponnesian War and the political tensions of the period. Like those texts, the allegory suggests how easily people accept illusions or half-truths when it feels safer, but Plato goes further by implying that only a few individuals ever push beyond that. It makes me wonder how this allegory fit into his larger ideas about education and who should guide a society, especially when he hints that people who return with new knowledge are often mocked or even punished for seeing the world differently.