Socrates' exact last words were a request to his student Crito regarding a sacrifice.
The Final Utterance
As he lay dying after consuming hemlock, Socrates made one final statement. According to historical accounts, he uncovered his face and addressed his loyal follower.
His poignant last words were: "Crito, I owe the sacrifice of a rooster to Asklepios; will you pay that debt and not neglect to do so?"
Context of the Last Request
This final request to Crito is significant for several reasons:
- Gratitude for Healing: Asklepios (or Asclepius) was the Greek god of medicine and healing. Paying a sacrifice to Asklepios upon recovery from illness was a common practice. Socrates' words are often interpreted as a final acknowledgment that death, for him, was a form of healing or liberation of the soul from the body, an escape from the "illness" of earthly life.
- Philosophical Consistency: Throughout his life, Socrates emphasized the importance of fulfilling one's obligations and debts. His last words reflect this philosophical consistency, even in his final moments.
- Calm Acceptance: The calm and practical nature of his final request underscores his serene acceptance of death, a theme consistent with his philosophical teachings about the unimportance of the body compared to the soul.
Crito affirmed he would fulfill the request, asking if there was anything else, but Socrates did not respond further.
