Meletus’ inspiration within the bringing charge against Socrates was a matter of significant debate
Meletus, a great poet, initiated brand new prosecution against Socrates, although very students consider your so you’re able to a great “puppet” of the best-known and most important of your own three accusers, Anytus. The newest affidavit pledged out by Meletus made one or two associated fees up against Socrates: “refusing to distinguish the new gods acknowledged by the official as well as releasing the newest and different gods” and you will “corrupting the brand new young people.”
Plato regarding Euthyphro describes Meletus, new youngest of three accusers, as with “an excellent beak, and you can enough time straight locks, and you can a beard that is unwell sex.” Plato composed one to, prior to the prosecution regarding Socrates, Meletus are “unknown” so you can him.
In basic around three occasions of trial, Meletus while the most other a few accusers each climbed a tiny stage regarding the legislation court in the exact middle of Athens to deliver speeches for the jury putting some case towards guilt regarding Socrates. No record away from Meletus’s speech survives. With regards to the partisan account out-of Plato on the Apology, Socrates–while in the his three-hour defense–inserted on the an exchange which have Meletus and you can succeeded for making your come alternatively darkened-witted. For example, Plato reports Socrates capturing Meletus towards saying “I say that you never trust one gods at all” after which exposes his accusation given that absurd.
It might has actually sprung either from his religious fanaticism otherwise his outrage over Socrates’s relationship to your 30 Tyrants. (Into the Plato’s Gorgias, Socrates accuses poets and you may orators out-of flattery and you can says that they flow only females, youngsters, and you will submissives.)
