List of cultural depictions of Socrates

Socrates has frequently been featured in or the subject of literature, theater, film, television, and art.

Art

Aeschines and Socrates in Raphael's The School of Athens

Pietro Testa's etching of the Symposium (1648)

• The Apotheosis of Homer (1827)
• The Death of Socrates (1787)
• Double Herm of Socrates and Seneca (3rd century AD)
• The School of Athens (c. 1511)
• Socrates (c. 1950)
• Socrates, his two Wives, and Alcibiades (1660s)
• Symposium (Feuerbach) (1869)

Literature

• Divine Comedy (1321)
• Alcibiades the Schoolboy (1652)
• Creation (1981)

  Historical fiction novel by Gore Vidal in which a Achaemenid Persian diplomat meets historical figures, including Socrates

• De genio Socratis
• The Just City (2015)
• The Last of the Wine (1956)
• The Plot to Save Socrates (2006)
• The True Apology of Socrates by Kostas Varnalis (1931)

Music

• "Bruces' Philosophers Song" (1973)
• Der geduldige Socrates (1721)
• Serenade after Plato's "Symposium" (1954)
• Socrate (1919)

Screen

• Barefoot in Athens (1966)

  Hallmark Hall of Fame television film on the last days of Socrates, starring Peter Ustinov as Socrates

• Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

  Science fiction comedy film in which time-traveling teenagers assemble historical figures, including Socrates, portrayed by Tony Steedman, for a high school presentation. The title characters continuously pronounce his name as the two syllable 'So-Crates'

• Meeting of Minds (1977–1981)
• The Philosophers' Football Match (1972), in which he scores the winning goal
• Socrates (1971)

Stage

• The Clouds (423 BC)

  Ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes that lampoons intellectualism in classical Athens; Socrates features prominently

• Socrates (1759)
• Socrates on Trial (2007)

Video Games

• Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018)

  Socrates (stylized as Sokrates) is a side character in the Ubisoft game where the player can complete quests given by Socrates which involve philosophical dilemmas, much to the annoyance of the main character.

• Civilization VII (2025)

  Socrates appears as a Great Person for the Greek Empire during the ancient era. He can be used on a palace or city hall, adding +2 influence to the building. ^[1]

References

1. "GREECE - ANTIQUITY AGE CIVILIZATION". civilization.2k.com. 2K Games . Retrieved June 12, 2025.