Conium: Encyclopedia II - Conium - Socrates

Conium - Socrates

The most famous victim of hemlock poisoning is probably Socrates. After being condemned to death for impiety in 399 BC, Socrates was given a potent solution of the hemlock plant. Plato described Socrates' death in Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo.

He walked about and, when he said his legs were heavy, lay down on his back, for such was the advice of the attendant. The man who had administered the poison laid his hands on him and after a while examined his feet and legs, then pinched his foot hard and asked if he felt it. He said "No"; then after that, his thighs; and passing upwards in this way he showed us that he was growing cold and rigid. And again he touched him and said that when it reached his heart, he would be gone. ... To this question he made no reply, but after a little while he moved; the attendant uncovered him; his eyes were fixed. -- Plato, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo

Sometimes the characteristic red spots found on the stem and branches is referred to as "the blood of Socrates" in reference to his death.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Socrates", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki